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.

9. Pool Party

Kurumu lounged atop a reclining pool chair in the warmth of the midday sun. Though there were six of these white ribbed things lined up at the end of the pool behind the diving platforms, Kurumu had persuaded Moka to share one with her under the premise that Tsukune would appreciate the image. The vampire had reluctantly agreed, but only because it was his birthday.

Having little interest in returning to the water, Kurumu absently drew her fingers through Moka's silky, pink tresses as the vampire rested a cheek against her left breast. Despite having her arm trapped beneath Kurumu, the vampire snuggled close while making slight noises of approval for the attention lavished upon her hair.

Moka's undersized white bikini with the floral print and fluffy frills stitched in the hems that lined her waist and cleavage had been a jaw dropping hit among the boys. With the potential that those pale orbs of flesh might pop out at any moment, Kurumu knew Moka was drawing more attention than her. She was slightly annoyed, but only because she suspected Tsukune was secretly hoping for an accident.

While Moka had not been able to join them in the pool, she had not been the only creature with an aversion to water. Both Tengu girls and Satsuki preferred staying dry. Seeking a way to keep everyone engaged, Kamitsuku had the brilliant idea to toss a beach ball around, the activity quickly shifting from a harmless game of catch to a brutal round of dodge ball. Tsukune still had a round welt on his back.

To her surprise, Tsukune had been well aware of the pool party at their early lunch today. He had been eating with Moka and the usual boys from his floor, as well as a half dozen she had not meet. Naturally the boys had all claimed innocence, but it made little sense for all of them to be dressed lightly and in pool shorts. Someone had spoiled the surprise but Tsukune played along, allowing himself to be blindfolded as they guided him to the pool.

Being considerate of Ginei, Tsukune had opted to not bring the black and green trunks he had purchased back when they had picked out their suits. Back then everyone had thought the suits were being bought as part of the field trip. The story among the group was that Moka had blindfolded Tsukune and that the boys had joined up along the way.

Kurumu had recognized only two of the boys that had been recruited to join this party for the sake of male participation. Aoki Hitasu from class eleven was a difficult boy to forget with his slick, kelp green hair and the way he pranced when he walked. The boy was a close friend of Takoshine Koma and lived on the third floor near the other two boys from their village in Joetsu district.

The other boy she recalled by appearance was Tsurukou Yoha from her new class. This was the wiry black haired boy that sat in the back whom was about Tsukune's height. Apparently he was part of the arcade club that Takoshine and Kinusawa were members of. Unlike them, he was from a community off the coast of Sado, though he did not know the two cheerleader girls. He admitted there were several small villages about the island district and that there were not any official schools there. Parents either home schooled their young or sent them to one of the Junior Highs on the coast. The other two Sado boys from the arcade club had attended the Junior High in Joetsu.

There was not much to say about these new boys. Like Tsurukou, these other two Sado boys from class nine lived on Tsukune's floor but were in the dorms at the far end of the hall. All of them hated the stench of Gomitsuro, but there was nothing they could do about it. Furukawa Kunio was the shortest of these boys, roughly about Moka's height. He had greasy, brown locks that hung over his eyes. Machida Tomio was bulkier with jagged black hair and smoky gray eyes. He looked as strong as the two Joetsu boys from the wrestling club, admitting that he liked working out as much as playing arcade games.

Kana had mentioned one of these Joetsu boys before. Nakamura Takitsubo was from class seven and was lab partners with Takoshine and Tanboshi Aku. Probably as tall as Ginei if he was not slouching, Nakamura was fat. There was no other way of seeing it. The way the folds of his gut hung over his trunks made Kurumu wish he had a shirt. The other guy, Agano Houji, was the tallest guy at the pool and had abs that were chiseled. For some reason he had shaved his head so clean that it gleamed in the sunlight.

All of these boys, including Kamitsuku, Takoshine and Kinusawa, were kappas. Kinusawa had no issue outing the true forms of his friends and none of them cared. Machida boasted of kappa pride, stating that kappas always looked out for each other even when they were complete strangers. Umigame, another kappa from their floor, had been working tirelessly to locate Chikafuji, whom had went missing after the third weekend of school. The only things these two boys had in common before coming to Yokai was that they were both from small Sado communities. Both had ended up in class nine and had joined the fishing club instead of the arcade club, since arcade was only guys while the fishing club offered the chance of meeting kappa girls.

About halfway through the walk, Yukari had developed second thoughts about coming, complaining that there would be too many people for her to relax. Despite being reassured that it would not be any larger than her classroom size, Yukari had wished Tsukune a happy birthday and instructed him to visit her tonight for her present to him. It took much insistence and the promise that she would like Moka's swimsuit to convince her to stay.

Ginei and several others had been waiting at the pool for their arrival. The group had arrived earlier than one, so they had passed the time changing into suits and giving gifts if they had them. Tora and Kana both gave boxes of sweets and Ginei gave him a dirty magazine. Insulted at first, Kurumu had laughed upon realizing it was a magazine for homosexuals, turning the whole thing on Ginei for having this in his personal collection. All these things had been set aside next to one of the vacant reclining chairs with a towel draped over them.

Due to Tsukune's former issues with the club, Ginei had convinced Ms. Amekoshi to ban the swim club seniors from the event. He assured the instructor that the publicity from the article would be more than enough exposure. Upon seeing the slim pickings, Machida had joked about calling it a day, claiming no interest to participate in a sausage party.

The swim club only had six girls due to this ban. The two juniors were both from class four and were cousins, explaining their similar looks. Niiya Miyoshi was the one with the shoulder length black hair while the blonde was Gouhara Narumi. These were the two girls that had been handing out trunks to the boys on the day of the pool club fiasco. Kurumu could not recall if they had taken part of the feeding frenzy. She had seen both several times, since they had the same gym period.

Of the four freshmen, Kurumu already knew three of them. The Unabara twins and Fujinuma shared her home economics class. She knew the twins were from class one. They both had dark green, shoulder length hair with bangs that hung over one eye. The chatty Tarako had the left side clipped, leaving her right eye covered. Her moody twin, Haraka, did the reverse. Even without the visual clue, it was kind of easy to tell which was which simply by how they behaved with others.

Kurumu did not know much about Fujinuma with the short, swirly dark blue locks. The girl was from class six and only spoke with the twins. She had not been present at the pool event. Towards the start of the party, the girl had been talking with Agano, since he was her classmate. The two had wandered off not long after the beach ball game had wrapped up. Kurumu had no idea if they were returning but they had been holding hands.

Sawaguchi Yuriko was the last of the freshmen girls and was from class nine. She had creamy blonde hair that was done up in curls scattered with blue and red ribbons. It was rather haphazardly handled much like Sakamori's often was. She was the tiniest of the mermaid girls, standing shorter than Satsuki. She loved to talk and giggle, clearly enjoying the attention. If it was not for their teacher escorts overseeing the party, chances were good that girl would have gotten carried away with her flirting.

Ginei had felt it best to have two teachers watching over things, despite Ms. Amekoshi's insistence that her presence would be enough. It was a good call since the swim instructor with the flowing white curls acted only a little better than Sawaguchi. Keeping her student in line was more a matter of scolding the girl for competing too hard.

The more mature presence of Ms. Nakamura, one of the second year Japanese instructors and the advisor for the fishing club, kept things in check. The buxom woman had her olive hair held up in a ponytail that was cinched at the top of her head and at the nape of her neck. She was an older cousin of the chubby freshman boy that shared the surname and had been teaching at Yokai for almost a decade. Unlike the mermaids, the kappa woman was sporting an indigo one piece that smoothed over her slight belly. Given the curves of other areas, the woman was overly conscious about this minor flaw.

Only four people had joined the party after they had arrived. While Uchiyama had come on his own, Nerume and Satsuki had arrived about an hour late with Mizore in tow. Nerume apologized for their delay, admitting it had taken a lot of pleading to get Mizore out of her room.

Mizore had quickly and quietly secluded herself to one of the reclining chairs. With her black hoodie zipped and a towel wrapped around her waist that stretched down to hide her knees, Kurumu worried the girl would succumb to the heat. Now and then Nerume would call to the girl to get some sort of response to reassure them that she was still conscious.

For all the complaints about getting wet, Satsuki had eventually joined Kurumu in the pool for a few minutes before they had given up on the beach ball. Resting on her back in the chair next to Kurumu, the girl's sarong was still slick despite their half hour break. She held her arm up, shielding her eyes.

Nerume was lying on her stomach on the chair between Satsuki and Mizore. Her one piece suit was a midnight purple color that bordered on being black. She had not joked about the deep cut in the back which allowed her lovely tail to hang out. She had drawn her hair aside so that none of it covered her shoulders and neck.

In the other direction over the vacant chairs on her right was the little umbrella table with the chairs that Moka had been using on their last visit here. Presently Kana and Yukari were using this shelter to accommodate their antisocial activities. Kana was not even wearing a swimsuit. She wore a simple white shirt and yellow shorts while working on her laptop. At first the blonde had been writing up that article for the manga club, not minding if it was Moka's article. Now that she had her drawing pad out, it was hard to say if she was working on another comic strip idea or doodling to pass the time.

Kana had been completely dismissive about the interview with Ms. Sano, assuring them that everything had been fine and not to worry about that silly stalker boy of hers. Itazura and Touzoku had tagged along, which had been too intimidating for that kid to cause her trouble. Kana had joked about this guy not being a very good stalker, considering he had failed to do anything about her kidnapping.

Yukari sat across from Kana, diligently reading through the seventh volume of GTO. Wearing a gift from Hiboshi, her sunflower yellow top was similar to the cropped tank that Mizore had purchased yesterday while the bottom was as frilly as the bikini Moka had on. Yukari had elected not to join them in the pool, content with playing alongside Moka.

Kurumu sighed as she glanced about the pool. She had no idea what time it was but she doubted it was after four. She had no idea how they were supposed to drag this event out to six.

Tsukune was standing by the diving platforms with the two Tengu girls while chatting with Uchiyama, Aku and Kamitsuku. Naturally Aku was wearing crimson trunks and letting everyone admire his stout hide. Kamitsuku had kept his white shirt on despite being in the pool. It looked dry now but his vibrant blue shorts would occasionally drip on the concrete about his broad, bare feet. He had recovered his camera shortly after their romp and was fidgeting with it in his hands. She was aware he had taken a couple pictures of them lounging in the chairs since he had asked if he could.

Honda was hovering at his side in her black and white polka dot two piece with matching sarong. The awkward girl would only talk with Tobuyoku and Tsukune without being prompted. Embarrassed with her swimsuit after a comment from Aku, Honda had borrowed Ginei's black shirt to alleviate her insecurity. Amusingly this unbuttoned, silk garment did little to hide what she was worried about.

Kurumu had known that Tobuyoku had bought a daring swimsuit but had not thought the girl would be silly enough to wear it without trimming her down. Poor Uchiyama's eyes kept drifting south every time he tried talking with her, and sometimes even when he was not. The top was about as skimpy as the bottom, being nothing but strings that tied in the back. Not that the strings could be seen since the girl did not have her hair done up in her usual braid with the ring. Her wavy tresses hung so far down her back that she could have been naked and nothing would be seen from behind.

Like Kana, Uchiyama was dressed in casual clothes with no interest in getting wet. In the spirit of things, he wore a short sleeved dress shirt with a palm tree design over his khaki, cargo shorts. His camera hung by a black strap about his neck which he probably had used dozens of shots on Tobuyoku alone. He had not seemed all that crushed when Tobuyoku had opened with the fact that she had a boyfriend when he had first asked to take her picture.

While most of the kappa boys and mermaids were still hanging out in the pool, it seemed the juniors were avoiding the water. There was another umbrella table at the shallow end of the pool where Ginei was entertaining the older mermaids. Tora was sitting nearby with an open book in her hands, ignoring the conversation. The black haired one was sprawled over the table while the blonde often looked at the pool with longing.

"You want to get back in the pool, Satsuki?"

The girl groaned in response, causing Kurumu to chuckle.

"Maybe lose the sarong this time."

"If my hair was as long as hers, I would."

Nerume giggled, her ebony tail whisking side to side across her tiny rump.

"Ms. Tobuyoku is bold. You would not think that of her based on how she behaves in class."

Kurumu smirked as she regarded the girl chatting with a nervous Uchiyama.

"You honestly haven't seen her wardrobe on the weekends."

Nerume tilted her head aside and grinned.

"Maybe it's because she has a boyfriend."

Satsuki snorted, not moving her arm from its resting place across her brow.

"If I do get a boyfriend, I'm not going to walk about in public practically butt naked."

Kurumu smiled as she brushed her fingers through Moka's hair.

"None of these boys strike your fancy?"

Satsuki huffed, rolling her eyes.

"I think I'm starting to prefer the idea of a carrot."

Nerume pouted, brushing a stray bang out of her eyes. With a sigh, she turned her attention away.

"Ms. Shirayuki, are you feeling okay?"

Kurumu smiled when Nerume sighed again from the lack of response.

"She's probably sleeping like this one here."

Moka shifted, nuzzling her cheek against Kurumu's breast that nearly forced it out of the fabric.

"I'm not sleeping."

"What are you doing then?"

"Listening."

"To what?"

"Your heart quickens when they look."

Kurumu smirked, well aware of her subtle reactions to attention. She wondered how often Tsukune made Moka's heart quicken. She imagined this annoyed the other Moka to no end.

"Did you have a good time with Tsukune this morning?"

"I gave him my present."

Kurumu perked up.

"He didn't mention it. Did you steal another kiss?"

"I gave him a pendant, Kurumu. He left it in his room because he didn't want to wear it to the pool."

"I take it that means you didn't go with Tora for her flying lesson after church."

Moka shrugged against her.

"We didn't go to church."

"You didn't?"

"I caught Mr. Umizake this morning as he was heading for breakfast. He let me in Tsukune's room and I ended up staying there."

Kurumu sighed, wondering if someone should have invited that boy to this event. It would have been a convenient excuse to get Mizore to talk with her fiancé.

"So you ditched Tora this morning?"

"I wanted to be alone with him."

"Did you suck his blood?"

"He was too nervous."

"He probably would be if you woke him up to drink his blood."

Moka pouted, glancing up at her.

"I think the swimsuit made him nervous."

Kurumu frowned. Moka had been wearing a skirt and blouse to lunch.

"Were you wearing your swimsuit in his room?"

"I forgot it was a secret. I'm sorry. I know you thought it was one of the guys, but I felt it would only embarrass you more if I corrected you in front of them."

Kurumu sighed, fluffing Moka's hair.

"What were you thinking?"

"I wanted him to say I was pretty."

"Were you hoping for more?"

Moka sighed.

"I don't know. He said I looked nice but got nervous about me being near him. He was saying how I shouldn't when those boys barged into his room, singing happy birthday and tossing boxes at him."

"Boxes?"

Moka tensed against her.

"You know. Condoms."

Satsuki snickered as Kurumu tried not to do the same. Nerume was politely covering her mouth though her giggling was poorly muffled.

"They must not have seen me. Kamitsuku noticed first and he was scrambling to grab up the boxes as the others kept walking in, tossing more. He tried to tell me they were boxes of candy, but I'm not that dumb. A box with an elephant image that reads sized for her pleasure is not candy."

Satsuki sat up on her hands, cocking her head aside.

"You are so lucky those boys are a bunch of kappas. Possibly the most docile monster species on the planet. Any other monster race holding packs of condoms with a vulnerable girl in a swimsuit would lead to an event that would frontline your next newspaper."

Kurumu smirked, aware of the many pranks those harmless boys had pulled on Tsukune at the start of the year. Most had been spearheaded by Takoshine, whom had been jealous about Tsukune's relationship with Moka. She had no idea if the guy had ever apologized for it.

"Kurumu. You're going to be alone with Tsukune tonight."

"I might. I guess Yukari wants to do something at her place for dinner. I have no idea what I will do after that. It's not like I have anything in my room that's entertaining."

Kurumu felt the soft sweetness of desire drift into her.

"Will you have sex with him?"

Kurumu paused, wondering if there was a right way to answer that.

"I want to."

"Are you going to share him?"

Kurumu frowned at Satsuki.

"I know that's more of a long term concern, what with you needing another woman to have babies."

"What?"

Kurumu sighed, stroking her fingers through the pink tresses of the confused vampire.

"Yukari and these two were around when I was reading the latest letter from my mother. She says I was born from an undine."

"Born from an undine? I don't understand."

"You can't have a baby?"

Mizore perked up, her hood still drawn. The shadows could not hide the flush of her cheeks and she still had her usual white stick nestled in the crook of her mouth. Her breaths were notably labored.

"No. Kurumu needs another girl to carry a baby for her. Preferably an undine."

"This really isn't the time to talk about this."

Mizore slung her legs over the side of the chair, sitting up.

"Vampires are weak to water. That means she's a bad choice."

Moka sat up with a pout, freeing her trapped arm.

"Bad choice? I'm not interested in sharing Tsukune."

"I wouldn't mind a threesome with Kurumu."

Kurumu smirked at Nerume, shaking her head.

"Don't be silly. You don't even know Tsukune that well."

"I would be fine if Mr. Aono accepts me."

Kurumu sighed.

"You both have the wrong idea. What happens is I have sex with Tsukune."

Kurumu paused to touch her lower abdomen.

"Then my body changes his… stuff into baby succubus stuff."

Satsuki frowned.

"So how does that work?"

"Ms. Sasayaki thinks I would put my tail into another girl and… well… fill her up."

It sounded so dirty and she knew Moka was blushing as hard as she was. Mizore was too flush to betray a difference as Nerume frowned.

"I've seen your tail. That spade is pretty big."

"Well… you know it opens up."

Satsuki smirked as Nerume nodded with a contemplative look.

"Get your mind out of the gutter."

"Does Mr. Aono know about this?"

Kurumu smiled at Mizore, noting the girl was freeing herself of the towel wrapped about her legs. The dark fabric was stained with her sweat. The girl stood up, dropping the towel on the chair.

"You can call him Tsukune, Mizore."

"Your other friends don't."

"Mr. Aono hasn't called me by my first name yet, so I don't want to trouble him."

Satsuki snorted at Nerume.

"I don't give a shit if he does call me by my first name. He's not my friend."

Kurumu sighed, realizing these two were not helping. It also did not help matters with Tsukune being formal with most girls. Even with Ginei's encouragement to drop formalities, Tsukune still addressed Kana by her surname most of the time.

"I'm sorry. Nerume's right. You should wait for him to drop the formality."

Moka caressed Kurumu's cheek.

"Maybe you shouldn't do anything with Tsukune."

"What?"

Moka glanced aside.

"I mean. If you need another woman, it doesn't seem fair to Tsukune."

Kurumu rolled her eyes.

"You practically are two women in one body. I don't want to be lectured over what is fair to Tsukune."

Moka pouted.

"I didn't mean it like that."

"She has no interest in Tsukune beyond how it impacts you. Has she told you everything?"

Moka sighed.

"I know she's worried about him breaking me. My thoughts of having a family are ridiculed by her."

"You need to get a boyfriend before thinking about a family."

"I need to speak with Mr. Aono."

Moka turned pleading eyes upon Mizore. The girl had her hands thrust in the pockets of her zipped up hoodie. The fabric was long enough to obscure the bottom half of her swimsuit. Her bared legs were creamy white with her tiny feet in flimsy sandals.

"Please don't talk about these things. Not on his birthday."

Mizore cocked her head.

"I didn't plan to. I'm too hot and need to speak with him before I leave."

Kurumu frowned.

"You're leaving?"

"I'm not feeling well."

"Maybe you could cool off in the pool."

"I might freeze the water. Too risky."

"We could splash water on you."

Mizore shrugged, glancing over to Tsukune.

"I haven't spoken with him today. I will be brief."

Mizore stalked off for the small group hovering about Tsukune.

Kurumu sighed, scooting back and drawing her left leg up and around Moka. Slinging both legs over the right side of the chair, she got up on her feet.

"Should we follow her?"

"I have to. You guys can chat without me."

Satsuki smirked, getting up from her chair. She loosened the ties of the sarong, letting the garment flop heavily upon the concrete. The suit had a daring cut about the legs, practically being a thong below the waist. She gestured to Nerume.

"Hand me a towel. I want to hear what this girl has to say."

"She's probably just going to wish Mr. Aono a happy birthday."

Satsuki shrugged as she took a weathered, black towel from Nerume. As she started to wrap it about her waist, Kurumu grabbed Satsuki by the upper arm and tugged the girl along. The girl stumbled a step but managed to keep in step and cinch the towel in place about her hips. They came up to the group next to Mizore, whom was panting without comment as Uchiyama carried on with the current topic.

"Anyways, there are about six or seven of us if those Shimane friends of yours are interested in dating some boys closer to their homes."

"With Hatoko, it's anyone's guess what she would be up for. Guy would probably have to be the spitting image of Buddha to have a chance of impressing her."

"I don't know about Buddha, but Tatakai shaved his head on a dare. They haven't quite grown back."

Satsuki snorted, drawing everyone's attention.

"Sorry. Is this the Tatakai from class one?"

"He is. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. One of the shorter dudes in my shop class. About Aono's height."

"I wouldn't say he's short."

"Compared to the rest of the guys in that class, he is."

"That might be good for Hatoko. She's not that tall."

Kurumu smirked at Tobuyoku.

"She's taller than you."

"So?"

Uchiyama chuckled, turning his attention back to the panting Mizore.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Mizore nodded, bowing her head.

"Okay. So, as I was saying, there's also Noboru from class five and Ichida from class two."

"Ichida? The rep for my class?"

Aku frowned at her.

"Aren't you in class three?"

"She switched out of class three a couple weeks ago."

"Really? Kamitsuku didn't tell me about that."

"Didn't realize you'd care."

Uchiyama shrugged.

"But yea. I think that's the only guys. I can't recall there being any upperclassmen that came with my sis or with Noboru's sis. There's Shikichi whom came with Noboru's sis, but also a girl."

Kurumu recalled the name.

"Isn't she the class rep for Ginei's homeroom?"

"I know she is a class rep, but I don't know which class that is. I don't really follow those girls. Fiercely independent lot. Admirable, but not the sort that make you feel needed."

Kurumu smirked, glancing at Satsuki and Tobuyoku before regarding Uchiyama.

"So what girls do you follow?"

"I've always had a soft spot for the harpies that live in our sister community."

"Typical Tengu boy."

Kurumu paused at a random thought.

"I heard your harpy community sends girls to the softball team on a regular basis."

"That's true. Pretty much all the harpy girls from Okayama come here for softball. Sadly none of the ones I like. Well… Kotori is cool but off limits."

"I recall you saying you didn't get along with the two that came with you, so I guess Kotori is older."

Uchiyama grinned.

"All those girls are trouble. Every last one of them is mean and would eat these cute chicks alive."

Honda shivered, shuffling closer to Tsukune. Kurumu shook her head, doubting Uchiyama's sincerity.

"I'm thinking of doing the softball team for the next paper after this upcoming one. How many harpy girls are we talking about here?"

"Six. The community only pays for two a year so if there are any more, they're here on their own dime. Heck, they might not even be in softball."

"Mr. Aono. Happy Birthday."

Tsukune laughed at the sudden outburst. All eyes turned on the panting girl, toying with her zipper.

"That was out of the blue, but thanks. I'm glad that you came, Shirayuki."

Kurumu smiled, reaching over to tug the hood back. The girl was so flush that even her neck was red. Feeling worried, Kurumu stepped closer to Mizore as she gestured at the group.

"We took her to town yesterday. Had her pick up a suit and this jacket so she wouldn't burn in the sun."

"She cut her hair."

Tobuyoku grinned, gesturing to Mizore.

"That must feel much nicer thinned out and shortened."

"I've always felt that men preferred longer hair. What's your opinion, Mr. Aono?"

Tsukune glanced at Honda whom was hovering on his right with her russet tresses unbound which fell halfway down her back and then at Kamitsuku on his other side. He flashed a wide smile at Mizore.

"I think it looks cute."

Mizore visibly relaxed, her pants softening. Her hand lingered on her zipper.

"Thanks Tsukune. Now I feel less burdened."

Aku chortled next to Satsuki.

"Can't expect him to say he prefers long hair when his girlfriend had hers chopped off."

A slight smile touched Mizore's lips.

"That's true. Would you like to see the swimsuit?"

Kamitsuku chuckled.

"Definitely. You should join us in the pool."

"No. I only bought it for him."

Mizore unzipped her hoodie. Grabbing the zipper hems, she tugged her hoodie open wide to display the stripped swimsuit. Tsukune smiled nervously while the other boys favored amused looks at Mizore.

"It's a nice suit. It fits you."

"You poor thing. You're so pale. I can see why you're worried about the sun."

Mizore smiled softly at Tobuyoku.

"You should close that up. You're acting weird."

The three boys chuckled at Honda's remark, Aku nudging Kamitsuku.

"Panting heavily and flashing us. Should I be screaming?"

The three boys chuckled again as Honda pointedly pulled the dress shirt she wore tighter about her bosom. There was a slight dip in temperature as Mizore did the same. Turning on her heel, Mizore quickly walked away from the group.

Kurumu realized Mizore was heading for the stairs that exited the pool enclosure. She kicked up in a quick sprint, the pads of her feet striking against the warm concrete. She felt the chill in the air grow as she neared her friend. Before Mizore could start down the stairs, she snatched the girl by the upper arm. The dark fabric offered enough protection from the cold to keep her grip firm.

"Wait! You don't have to leave."

Mizore did not resist, sighing as her shoulders relaxed.

"I'm not feeling well, Kurumu."

"It was a joke. Boys being boys."

"Would you run away with me?"

Kurumu's heart twisted at the softness of the inquiry. It was sudden, yet so calm.

"What?"

"When Aono leaves, we could all go together."

"Is she okay?"

Small hands timidly touched Kurumu's side as Nerume stepped beside her. Tsukune trotted to a stop nearby, offering her a smile. The skin of his bare arms pricked up in response to the chill.

"We're all sorry, Shirayuki. None of us wanted to upset you."

"I'm not upset. I'm overheated."

"We could cool you down with some water. Morioka has a cooler full of drinks by him."

"I want to go back to my room."

Nerume slipped around Kurumu to gently place her hands on the back side of Mizore's hoodie. The girl shivered, stepping in closer.

"I'll come with you."

"Why don't you both stay?"

Nerume smiled at Tsukune as she leaned against Mizore's back.

"There's nothing for me to do here. I don't need to make friends with a bunch of boys I don't ever see and have no intention of dating."

Tsukune laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"I didn't realize you could be so blunt, Ms. Genzouyaki."

"You could be friends with Tanboshi and Yamabato."

Nerume frowned at her.

"Which one was Tanboshi?"

Grinning, Tsukune turned and gestured at the swarthy boy in the crimson trunks.

"He's the big guy next to Kamitsuku. He lives next door to me."

"I suppose I can be friends with Kurumu's friends."

"Then come back and play another round with us. You can join in too, Shirayuki."

The chill in the air diminished at the same time as a warm breeze passing through. Kurumu relinquished her hold, aware that Nerume had a good grip on Mizore's hoodie.

"That means a lot to me, Aono. I hope you have a wonderful birthday."

Mizore flashed a slight smile at him before she started down the stairs. Holding fast to the hoodie, Nerume accompanied a half step behind.

"It was fun, Mr. Aono. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

"I wasn't inviting you over."

"Then do you want to stop by my room?"

"No."

"Aw."

Tsukune sighed, draping an arm across her shoulder as the two reached the bottom of the stairs. Both girls slipped through the open gate onto the path that cut through the woods to the school grounds. After a few steps, Nerume let go of the hoodie so she could walk alongside Mizore. Kurumu sighed glancing back at the chairs.

"They left their clothes and towels."

Tsukune chuckled as he sidled behind her, pulling her back to him. A warm, satisfying desire poured out from him as his brazenly held her. He breathed hotly against her right ear as he relaxed with his arms comfortably about her waist.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Mhm."

"You haven't tried to touch me at all today."

She sighed, leaning back against him. She supposed that was true.

"Did you want me to?"

"You're not upset about what happened with Shirayuki, right? Ever since I've been out of the hospital, you've barely spent a moment with me."

Kurumu cringed, bowing her head.

"I'm sorry. There was a lot of things going on and I guess I should have put aside more time for you."

He sighed, pressing up closer and squeezing her in his arms.

"Moka has told me everything. She said her blood could be dangerous and that I probably should leave at the end of the term. She's afraid my mind won't survive if I get any more from her."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Before or after being pelted by condoms?"

He chuckled, squeezing her in his arms.

"After."

Kurumu sighed, feeling safe, wanted and warm.

"We need to keep you closer to Tora and Yukari. They both can heal your physical injuries without the dangers of using Moka's blood."

"I'm not leaving this school."

"You're being stubborn. Yukari said she could make a doorway to your home in Yamagata. We could visit you any time."

"She can bypass the barrier that protects this school? I thought you said you couldn't leave through the tunnel that the road disappears through."

"I don't know. She said she could, and I don't think she would lie about that."

"If she can do that, then I suppose I could try to find a school that would take me as a transfer."

Kurumu grabbed one of his hands, pulling it up to kiss the back of it.

"Thank you."

"You know that's a short time to coordinate things."

"You'll have to let your parents know."

"I would worry them if I prematurely told them about a transfer. Can Yukari make the doorway first?"

Kurumu shrugged, noting that Yukari had abandoned her post at the umbrella table. The witch had joined Moka on the reclining chair. Moka looked distressed, but Yukari seemed like she was behaving. She had nestled up in Moka's lap, still reading the comic.

"I can ask. You should get back to your friends."

"You mean our friends."

"Whatever. I have to go rescue Moka."

He chuckled, removing his hands and slowly moving aside. She absently touched his smooth chest, noting those bland, school trunks did nothing to hide his arousal. Thoughts of his size gave her those butterflies Nerume had mentioned after their drunken dream escapade. As Kurumu stalked over to the only reclining chair that had an occupant, she shook her head to disperse these intimidating thoughts which caused a shiver to run up her spine.

The vampire smiled with pleading eyes. They had lifted the back up several ticks, allowing Moka to be more seated. Her arms were loosely draped around the witch nestled between her thighs. Yukari's head was perfectly placed to rest on Moka's cleavage as she slowly turned the pages.

"You're looking comfortable."

"Not really."

"I'm allowing Moka to love me for a change. She's doing a poor job of it."

"I do love you, Yukari. I just… well I don't think I should have to touch you."

"Words without action are fiction. Much like a book or a comic."

Moka sighed, lifting her hands to rub Yukari's arms.

"I don't know what you want me to do."

Kurumu chuckled, stepping close to the chair and leaning in. She brushed her fingers across Yukari's cheek and through her locks about her ear. The witch closed her eyes and made a soft, content sigh.

"You're thinking too hard about it, Moka."

"She could do more than that."

"Not in front of a bunch of boys."

"True."

Kurumu leaned in to kiss Yukari's temple. Backing off, she let her hand trace a soft line across Yukari's cheek before standing back upright.

"You mentioned being able to create a doorway to the human world. How would you get around the barrier that protects this place?"

Yukari shrugged, returning her attention to the comic.

"Simple. You change the time variable in the spell for a period before the barrier existed."

"What?"

"A magic door is a journey from one place to another. You define the journey by making the first step through time which bypasses the barrier."

"You can travel through time?"

"We all travel through time, Kurumu."

Kurumu shook her head.

"That's not what I'm saying. I mean, you can travel to the past."

"Momentarily. Staying in a foreign time takes considerable energy. It is best to make such a step as instantaneous as possible."

"So this magic door would take much more energy than the one between our suites."

"That magic door is more a process of matter displacement. They're not even close to being the same thing. But yes. This door would take much more energy. I would probably need Ms. Shindou's help powering it each use."

"Asuka? Why her?"

"She's a raiji, an electrical beast. She has much more disposable energy than most monsters."

"What about Tora? You said she had a lot of spiritual energy."

"That's technically not disposable energy. I've already taken enough of her spirit when we restored Ms. Hiboshi. I don't want to ask for more when there's another reliable source available."

Kurumu nodded without much understanding.

"When do you think you could make this door?"

Yukari frowned up at her.

"I need to know the destination. The only places I'm familiar with in the human world are the homes of my relatives. I doubt any of them would approve of me making such a doorway."

"Oh. There goes that idea."

"Was Tsukune thinking about visiting his parents?"

"Something like that."

Yukari nodded, glancing at Tsukune whom was once again chatting with Kamitsuku and the others.

"I was planning on tracing him during summer break. It would be less conspicuous making a doorway from there than within the barrier."

"Tsukune doesn't feel comfortable making plans to transfer schools without knowing if this doorway can be made."

"Tsukune needs to have more faith in my genius."

Moka's hands lifted to awkwardly caress the sides of Yukari's head. It looked more like she was trying to work shampoo into the girl's hair than something affectionate. All the same, Yukari closed her eyes and relaxed with a soft sigh.

"Can you really hop around the barrier because of a time variable?"

"Mhm. I was curious how the communication device Mother gave me worked around the barrier. I thought it transformed speech into thought and penetrated the barrier in the same manner the speakers operate, but was surprised to discover it worked through a time variable."

Kurumu had her doubts that this would be good enough for Tsukune to act on. She smiled at Moka as Yukari sighed softly, letting her comic slip out of her hands into her lap.

"I want to see how Satsuki is doing. She might be worried about Nerume leaving."

"Ms. Unari seems more worried about losing that towel. You should take her sarong to her."

"That thing is soaked."

"Take it anyways. That towel looks awkward about her."

Kurumu chuckled, bending down to pick up the green, leaf patterned sarong. She noticed the group had shifted positions a little, though Honda still favored Tsukune's side with Tobuyoku on her other side. Satsuki was now next to the Tengu girl with Kamitsuku on her other side. Coming up between Satsuki and Tobuyoku, Kurumu handed the nekomusume her sarong.

"Did you need this?"

Satsuki sighed.

"I suppose. This thing keeps slipping."

Satsuki handed over the towel as she wrapped the thick sarong about her waist.

"That suit's a thong in the back, right?"

Satsuki shrugged at Kamitsuku's inquiry, pulling the strings tight at her waist.

"Mind if I take a picture of you modeling your suit?"

"Fuck no."

Tobuyoku laughed promptly turning about. She pulled her hair over her shoulder to better bare her back as she wagged her little tushie. Honda's eyes widened as she promptly backhanded her friend's side.

"What? It's just a butt. Even guys have one."

Aku chortled, crossing his arms about his thick chest.

"I bet I could get my cheeks jiggling more than that."

"Male thongs are a thing."

Kurumu smirked at Kamitsuku.

"And you would know this?"

"You don't mind if I take a picture of your backside?"

Tobuyoku giggled at Uchiyama's request, promptly turning about. She shook her head as she fluffed her hair out so it would fall back in place.

"Why would anyone want a picture of a butt?"

Uchiyama smirked, glancing at the other boys.

"Not meaning to shock you, but there are magazines expressly devoted to that attribute."

Tobuyoku snickered with a wide smile.

"That is so dumb."

"You're not much like other Tengu girls. Reminds me of my sister."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Yea. Most seem to be like your friend. Shy, reserved and a slave to traditional thinking."

Honda frowned at him, absently touching the hem of the shirt she had buttoned up.

"I'm not like that."

He nodded, paying more attention to his camera.

"So are you saying you have no interest in having a family?"

Honda pouted, glancing aside.

"I wouldn't mind a boyfriend. But I also want to go to college."

Uchiyama chuckled, absently regarding his pictures on the small screen.

"Those are conflicting agendas."

"What makes you say that?"

"College takes years. By the time you get out, most Tengu boys your age will have settled down. And I've never heard of a Tengu girl being able to make things work with a human."

"Yet that works fine for boys?"

He frowned.

"That's normal sex for a human girl. I could hide my true form for a long time, especially if the kids end up human instead. Girls don't have that luxury."

"Does that worry you?"

"Why would it?"

"You have a sister."

"My parents worry enough for her. I'm not going to add to her problems when I honestly don't care."

Honda huffed.

"You should at least date a Tengu girl instead of chasing after harpies."

"What can I say? Harpies are adorable, sexual creatures that are hard to resist."

Tobuyoku grinned.

"I thought you weren't interested in those softball girls."

"I'm not. But it's not like they're the only harpies in this school."

Kurumu smirked, wondering if Uchiyama realized he had already met a few of the local harpies from the community in Aga.

"So have you found any local harpies?"

Uchiyama grinned.

"It's guaranteed you'll meet harpies in a choir."

"Those girls didn't say anything about being harpies to me."

"One of those cute girls was named Kanari. That's a very common name for a harpy."

Kurumu smiled, recalling Kanari as the only first year truly serious about being in choir.

"I don't recall her showing any interest in you."

"Her friend, Umou, was very glib about all her friends from Hankyouta, including the two in Sadou."

Kurumu smirked, aware that was the village Sonoda came from.

"Don't tell me you want that sweet girl because she didn't flirt with you."

"Actually I had my eyes on the cotton white haired one that accompanied your senior to that lunch. Her name is Oso Kashiko. I've been hoping to talk to your president to see how I would go about meeting this angel off campus."

Ginei had walked in with half a dozen girls, so this particular one did not bring up a memory. With him and Tora handling all the upperclassmen, Kurumu barely recalled any of the girls beyond Okimune Hitsumi, whom had a close resemblance to her and was Ginei's former classmate.

"And what makes you think this girl is a harpy? I don't recall any of the upperclassmen being from Aga."

"Ms. Utachi told me Ms. Oso and Ms. Noboto were from her village in Ojiya."

Kurumu shrugged, recalling Utachi to be Chousei's friend. Chousei was not a harpy so this boy was probably getting his hopes up.

"I'm sure you can ask him during the field trip."

Tobuyoku sighed.

"I don't get the attraction. Harpies almost always dump the guy shortly after getting pregnant."

"That is the attraction. Easy, noncommittal sex."

He frowned at Honda.

"Hey now, it's not like that at all. Yes, there is a good chance she will leave you, but it's the challenge of getting her to stay that I like."

Kurumu rolled her eyes while shaking her head.

"I don't understand why you feel it has to be a challenge."

Uchiyama chuckled along with Aku and Kamitsuku.

"It's a guy thing. I don't expect a girl to understand that."

"So why were you talking about those boys from your home earlier?"

"Oh. Well… she was trying to replace her boyfriend."

Tobuyoku huffed indignantly.

"I'm content with my relationship. I was asking if you knew anyone whom might want to date one of my friends."

"I'll tell you what. If you are free Tuesday night, I'll introduce you to Noburo. He's a big nerd and won't have anything interesting to say. Still, he's a pushover and would let his girlfriend dictate the pacing of the relationship."

"Aren't you coming with us on the field trip?"

Uchiyama chuckled.

"Oh, that's right. When I get back then. It's not like college girl here is in a hurry."

"Why am I being singled out? Hanetsume is the one that likes to boss people around."

"Look, that's cool, but I still want Michiko to meet Yasashiro. Those two would be so cute together."

Honda sighed.

"I already said I was fine with the idea of my brother meeting her. She's the one that has practice all the time so you'll have to figure that out with her."

"So is this Noburo guy a promising fit for Honda? I worry about this little lovebird hanging off Tsukune's shadow all the time."

Honda frowned, glancing away as she hugged herself.

"Is Kurumu getting a little jealous? I can assure you that Tsukune is quite the loyal guy, even when a scantily clad vampire throws herself at him."

Kurumu smirked at Kamitsuku as Tsukune looked mortified.

"I'm well aware of Moka."

"Oh, she told you about it. That's disappointing."

"Are you trying to stir up some trouble?"

"I opened with you could trust Tsukune."

Kurumu shook her head, regarding Satsuki whom was fiddling with the strings of her sarong. Kurumu stepped up next to the girl, draping her arm about Satsuki's shoulders.

"So how has the conversation been going?"

"I have no idea why you are interested in this."

"I'm interested in whether or not you plan to talk to any of those boys in the pool."

Satsuki scowled, shaking her head.

"I think you are obsessed with relationships. I'm content with being single at the moment."

Kamitsuku shrugged.

"I doubt she would make much headway competing with mermaids. You could say they are like the harpies of the sea."

Kurumu frowned at that remark.

"Can mermaids breed with kappas?"

Kamitsuku flinched. He forced a slight smile, glancing up from his camera.

"Sort of, though you won't have very smart kids. But we are safer than mermen. Those guys aren't much more than voracious beasts, just as likely to kill a mermaid as to mate with one."

"Would the kids be classified as monstrels?"

"If they're smart enough, they will pass as kappas. We're such a mixed breed with parts of fish, reptiles and amphibians. Some purists have tried to segregate our species based on primary traits, which is why some tribes such as the lizardmen have broken off and become fiercely exclusive. Those idiots refuse to admit they are kappas."

"So if they're dumb that get called monstrels."

"Naw, they get classified as beasts. I guess to some that might be the same, but monstrels can be intelligent. That's just divisive politics for you."

Kurumu nodded, supposing these were odd questions when her only interest was if it would be worth Satsuki's time to try dating one of them.

"So you don't think any of those boys would find Satsuki attractive?"

"Is she looking for a boyfriend or something?"

Satsuki sighed, shaking her head.

"Kurumu feels out of place being the only one with a boyfriend."

"I have a boyfriend."

The boys chuckled at Tobuyoku's declaration.

"That makes sense. I know I get a little anxious because Tsukune always has girls surrounding him."

"Most the girls I see are scrawny little things. I'd prefer a sturdier woman that wouldn't make me feel the need to hold back."

Kurumu smiled at Aku, aware of a few girls in home economics that might meet his description. They weren't fat, but they were stocky compared to most of her friends.

"I haven't decided if I want a boyfriend or not. I feel like if I date anyone at Yokai, it won't last when I go to college."

"If you go to college."

Satsuki smirked at Kamitsuku.

"When. So any guy I date would have to be willing to let me go or come along."

"Well if there's sex involved, I can't imagine any guy turning that down, regardless of outcome."

Kurumu shook her head in disbelief at Uchiyama's candid remark.

"Really? That's all that matters?"

"Ms. Tobuyoku. You've had sex with your boyfriend."

Uchiyama chuckled as Tobuyoku shook her head.

"Typical Tengu girl."

"Not very nice. But Kurumu helped me think of what I could have done differently. I was so caught up in the idea we couldn't have sex because of how fertile we are, but sounds like there are ways around it."

"Oh, I got to hear this."

"There's nothing to hear. Just… well I'm going to give it to him this summer break."

"Just like that?"

Tobuyoku nodded, smirking at him.

"Lucky bastard."

Kurumu giggled with Tobuyoku at his envious remark.

"I don't know if I could do it."

Kurumu frowned at Kamitsuku's odd remark.

"Do what?"

"I'm thinking it would be hard for me to be in a relationship where sex was never going to happen. Like if you're going to have an exclusive relationship where you can't be intimate with any other girl but this one, and you know it will never go beyond kissing… I couldn't do that. It would be like dating a guy."

Aku snickered, shaking his head.

"Technically you can have sex with a dude."

"Seriously, man. Don't go there."

Aku smirked, clearly unaware of how uncomfortable he had made everyone. Laughing without sincerity, Uchiyama brandished his camera.

"We should take more pictures. Maybe a group shot of the girls."

Kurumu shrugged, gesturing to Satsuki.

"I'm fine with that."

Uchiyama grinned as Kurumu stepped in closer to Satsuki while Tobuyoku wandered over to join them.

"Maybe we should take some provocative shots."

Tobuyoku stepped around them to stand on Satsuki's other side. She gestured for Honda to join, but Honda refused to budge from her place in Tsukune's shadow.

"You guys know that we can't put stuff like that in our paper."

Kurumu chuckled at Tsukune's concern as Kamitsuku and Uchiyama took several shots of them. She sighed as Uchiyama wandered about behind them, taking pictures of their backsides. At least he was not dripping with lechery as he took those shots, though she figured there was not as much to see as he had hoped. It only lasted a few seconds before he wandered back in front.

Kamitsuku had already finished and was regarding his camera with his usual disinterest. Freeing herself of the other girls, Kurumu stalked over and held her hand out to him.

"Let me see."

He shrugged, stepping up next to her and angling the screen so she could witness the small pictures. She leaned in to him, pushing the scroll button to flick through dozens of pictures. He had taken so many. Most were focused on their group and the girls lounging poolside. She was a little disappointed that his collection was so diverse. It was hard to say if he had no preferences or simply worried about showing favoritism to any particular girl. He barely had any pictures of the mermaids or his fellow Kappas.

"This is the swim club, Kamitsuku. You have no pictures of them."

"I don't really find them interesting."

She let go of his camera, shaking her head.

"Do you have something against mermaids?"

He shrugged halfheartedly.

"Well… if a mermaid wants to have children of her kind, she has to be with a merman. Pairing with even something as pure as an Undine will result in a Kappa."

He paused to smile at her.

"It can be hard living your whole life as a disappointment."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll go take pictures of the club. I know Uchiyama won't do it."

He chuckled as he shuffled off, still scrolling through his pictures. Satsuki walked up next to her, finishing the knot on the strings of the sarong about her waist. She cocked her head, gesturing at Kamitsuku.

"What's up with him?"

"I'm not sure. Just noticed he hadn't taken pictures of the mermaids."

Satsuki gestured at the umbrella table. Tobuyoku had wandered over to join Kana with Uchiyama still following her about like a puppy. Kurumu had a feeling she did not want to see what sort of pictures that boy had been taking all day long. With how much attention he directed at Tobuyoku, he probably had all sorts of zoomed in shots of her body.

Honda was sticking near Tsukune, whom had decided to sit in the reclining chair next to Moka and Yukari. Aku had taken the chair on the other side of Moka and was animatedly trying to converse with the vampire. Yukari was visibly annoyed as she tried to read her manga despite the intrusion.

"I'm going to check with Ginei how much longer he plans to run this thing. Interested?"

"I think I'll pass."

"Come on. He's not that difficult to be around."

Kurumu grabbed Satsuki's hand and started walking down the aisle that flanked the pool. Kamitsuku was ahead of them, absently taking shots of the group. She still was disappointed that only two film club members had shown up for pictures, since it was clear Ginei had little interest in using his camera. His camera had been sitting next to the cooler untouched since the party started.

"I think I'd rather chat with your other friend."

"Kamitsuku?"

"Yea. I want to see those pictures he took."

"They're fine. You don't have to worry about it."

"I still want to see them."

"Suit yourself."

Letting go of Satsuki's hand, she nodded at Kamitsuku as she passed and continued down the aisle. Striding purposefully towards the umbrella table at the far end, she noted all four seats were taken. She honestly wondered what Ginei was doing to keep the two mermaids occupied.

At the shallow end of the pool, one of the twins was seated with her hands behind her and swishing her mermaid tail about to keep the boys away. Like her twin, she had a two tone bikini with one breast cover white while the other was seaweed green. Her colors were the reverse of Tarako's.

Ms. Amekoshi sat closest to the agitated twin, smiling and enduring whatever monologue Takoshine was spouting. Aoki was also trying to compete, both boys posturing and talking pompously. They had been this bad while walking to the pool. Kurumu could not imagine putting up with that for hours.

Their other teacher escort was lounging on one of the reclining chairs on this side, her arms draped over her eyes. Her cousin and another of the kappa boys was hovering near her, but none were talking. She hoped that was a good indication that she would not be out of line for suggesting calling it quits.

She arrived at the umbrella table, flashing a smile at the blond mermaid whom noticed her. Both mermaids had simple bikinis, the blond having a black suit while the black haired girl had a white suit. Tora had that conservative, cherry one piece that covered every important curve of her tanned body. In the least she left her raven locks free of her usual braids.

Ginei had on a pair of black trunks that hung over his knees. It had white trim and laces to keep it tight about his waist. He was topless, which revealed how sculpted this young man was. He was wearing that silly white bandana in his hair to push back his locks. Annoyed with that look, she poked the side of his head, amused that he allowed it.

"Are you holding these two hostage from their pool duties?"

Ginei chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

"Miyoshi is sulking about being a late bloomer."

Kurumu glanced over the dark haired girl whom shrugged with her arms and upper torso pressed upon the table. The blonde was leaning over her friend, rubbing her back.

"She doesn't want to move."

"I want to go home."

"No you don't."

The girl lifted her head, pawing across the table for Ginei.

"Can I nibble again?"

Ginei smiled softly. He scooted the chair as he leaned back on the table, offering Niiya a strong forearm.

"You know there's only so much a guy has though the sight of my favorite succubus does help."

"What's wrong?"

Ginei winced as the girl sunk her fangs in his forearm. He shuddered for a moment and relaxed.

"Miyoshi is worried her seniors will exile her if she doesn't mature soon."

"What?"

"She's being silly. There's no way Ms. Amekoshi would allow one of her two juniors to get exiled after the former seniors killed half a dozen of them last year."

"She's trying to force ovulation. If you feed enough, it can accelerate your development."

Niiya whimpered, releasing his arm and pushing it away. She lowered her head back on the table.

"I want to go home."

Kurumu smiled, stepping up close to the table and absently touching the girl's shoulder.

"I think we might want to call this thing off early. I think the twins are exhausted."

Ginei shook his head, waving dismissively at her.

"They're mermaids in water. They don't get exhausted."

"Have you bothered looking around? I'm sure if you asked the grumpy twin if she wanted to leave, she would immediately do so and take her sister with her."

Ginei glanced over the pool and sighed.

"I guess if you want to, you could leave with the twins. I'm not going to force you to stay."

"Do you want to leave with the twins?"

The girl rolled her head aside to glance up at her with a misty blue eye that was reddened from tears.

"Yea."

Kurumu smiled as the girl sat up. The girl sniffled as she rubbed her eyes.

"Thank you."

Niiya got up and shuffled off to the end of the pool.

"You should probably go with her, Narumi."

The blonde laughed softly, shaking her head.

"I can't do that. There's a lot of boys out there that will be sorely disappointed with half of us leaving."

Kurumu smirked as she settled into the seat Niiya had vacated. The blonde got up and started for the pool, likely to help her cousin and politely see her off.

"Thank God that is over."

Tora shook her head as she turned the page of her book. The cover was a woman's face with "OUT" scrawled across it.

"What happened?"

"I thought we explained that."

"She wasn't like that when we started."

Ginei chuckled.

"What can I say? I'm the sexiest male in this pool."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I said she was a late bloomer and trying to force ovulation. She identified me as the tastiest treat on the menu and when that failed to get her baby maker running, she got sick with depression."

Kurumu nodded, glancing over the group. Niiya was standing with Gouhara and the moody twin, talking to Tarako. The girl reluctantly crawled out of the pool.

"Did anyone take pictures of their club?"

"I took pictures of the girls before everyone got here. I also took care of the seniors earlier this week."

"So that's why Sangi didn't bother making an appearance."

"Yea, I let her know earlier this week that there wouldn't be much for her club to do. She was welcome to come, but it didn't surprise me when she didn't."

"Everything went well with the planning yesterday?"

"Yea, looks like we will all be ready to go first thing Tuesday morning."

"Provided everyone passes their tests."

Ginei chuckled, glancing at Kurumu.

"Naturally. I'm sure if someone fails they can retest before the trip, if they don't mind the fact that they won't get to study and will have to keep that grade."

"Why do I feel like I'm being singled out here?"

"Because you're the most likely one in our club to bomb a test."

Kurumu pouted, not knowing enough about the film club to share in this assessment. Sighing at his amusement, she regarded Tora.

"So how was your morning, Tora? I understand Moka didn't go to church with you."

"It would have been nice if she had informed me of this beforehand. I was late for service."

"She spent the morning with Tsukune."

"Clearly. I was not pleased to endure my Sunday morning torture with Ms. Tobuyoku by my lonesome."

"She's still having you do exercises?"

"Frequently. Tuesday and Thursday of last week. The girl is obsessed with having me off the ground before the end of the month."

Kurumu smiled.

"Well, you will have a whole week off due to the field trip."

"She promises to work me twice as hard on my return. I do not look forward to it."

"Have you made any progress?"

"I don't know. I can wear the weights longer than I used to. We haven't tried flying since that crazy day when they thought it would be cool to toss me about like a doll."

"That was fun."

"It was terrifying."

Kurumu grinned at the seriousness of Tora's expression.

"Have you told your mother about flying?"

"Unfortunately."

"Unfortunately?"

"Yes. And as always, I must now be the best at it. I don't even know if she knows how to fly."

"I found out my mother knows how to fly."

"Good for you."

"Is this anger I hear directed at your mother? I did not know you were allowed to feel that."

Tora sighed.

"I am frustrated, Kurumu. Her expectations can be overwhelming. I regret telling her because now I'm not allowed to quit. I have to succeed."

Kurumu smiled softly.

"Flying is easy. You already have a good idea how to glide, so it's just a matter of building up your wing strength to get off the ground."

Ginei smirked.

"She's going to need more than this month to get her caboose up in the air."

"I beg your pardon."

"I was so disappointed in your swimsuit choice. It's basically a bodysuit."

"It's flattering."

"You would have looked much better in a bikini."

"I have no reason to flaunt my body for the attention of men."

"Then flaunt if for my sake."

Tora closed her book, setting it aside on the table. She regarded him with her jade eyes.

"Do you mind if we talk about Ms. Hajihachi Mika?"

"Is there a reason I should?"

Tora frowned at his dismissive remark.

"Ms. Sangi identified her as a former classmate of yours and one of the girls that asked you out."

"Sangi was toying with the idea of letting Mika know about your single status. Tora's a little worried this girl might ask you out."

Ginei grinned broadly.

"I wouldn't worry there. Mika's a dishonest girl to the core. I couldn't hope to count the number of free drinks I got because the vending machine always coughed up two when she used it."

Kurumu smirked at the thought of a girl trying to play that off as coincidence.

"So you're saying that there's no way this girl will ask you out again."

"I certainly would be an idiot to turn her down again. She's gorgeous and you remind me of her."

Tora pouted as Kurumu smiled. She recalled Okimune having a similar look to her.

"Does she look like Tora?"

"I meant in personality. Sure, she's got dark hair and a tanned complexion, but she's as tall as birthday boy. You see that girl over by Kana with the long, wavy hair? If you take some of that and form a ponytail above each ear and thin and curl the front bangs so that they grace her thin eyebrows… that would be close to her look."

Tora sighed.

"You seem to be well acquainted with her appearance."

"She was my classmate for a year and easily a C cup. I would have to be dead to not notice."

Kurumu smirked at his appraisal of Mika's assets.

"Good to hear you have your priorities in order."

"Sangi said she was also an okami."

"You should stop being so stubborn and dump that loser for me."

Kurumu laughed, shaking her head at his sudden deflection.

"Why would I do that?"

"To save me from Mika. I can't handle a serious relationship right now."

Tora snorted.

"Then why don't you tell her no if she asks you out."

"Why should I tell her no?"

"Because you don't want to be with her."

Ginei shrugged.

"What I want is temporary. I enjoy flirting with girls and making them blush and smile. Getting a girl's heart to race is more than enough for me right now."

"That and the occasional panty peeping and groping."

Ginei chuckled.

"Both cause girls to blush. You can't deny that."

Tora was blushing, causing Kurumu to smirk.

"You're not fooling me, Ginei. You're too perverted to not want sex."

"I want a girl to beg me for it. That hasn't happened yet."

"What about Nakamoto?"

"That girl is off limits. She's a no flirt zone."

"What if she asks you out?"

Ginei groaned, lifting a hand to rub his eyes.

"You're trying to convince me that I should say no to a girl. You know what? I would run away from her. I've run from fights and I know I can run from unwanted lovers. I don't have to say no."

"So you would evade Ms. Hajihachi?"

Ginei sighed, rubbing his bandana.

"Timing is wrong. I don't know. Maybe she would be fine with her boyfriend flirting with other girls."

"Did you flirt with other girls when you dated those humans?"

"No. That's something I started last year because I was thoroughly discouraged from fighting by Lady Otonashi. It was cute how flustered she was when I redirected that energy to flirting."

"Maybe you should stop flirting with girls that you don't intend to be with."

Ginei paused at Tora's remark.

"I've thought about that. The whole thing with Shirayuki and Coach Kotsubo made me think about how flirting could go wrong."

"Didn't you know that already with Nakamoto?"

"Believe it or not, I don't think I flirted with that girl. I have no idea how she became obsessed with me."

He seemed genuine so Kurumu did not push the issue.

"I don't think he has to stop flirting with other girls if they are friends. Any girl that wants to date him should be understanding enough to let playful banter slide."

"I for one would not enjoy flirtatious remarks from a boyfriend of another girl. It's cruel and insulting."

"So if you asked him out, he would have to stop flirting with us?"

Tora blushed, looking every direction but at them.

"I'm not asking Senior out. I'm saying if Ms. Hajihachi asks him out, I would like him to stop flirting with me. We don't know this girl or how she would feel about his behavior."

Ginei smiled softly.

"You know how I found out about Mika being an okami?"

He paused to take in their blank expressions.

"All okami, myself included have an excellent sense of smell. She knew what I was, but I wasn't used to smelling anything but humans. In Yokai, everything was different. I didn't know what I was smelling most the time."

He shrugged.

"Shortly after I found out about my friend's death, she decided to talk to me. Not that she wanted to, but I looked depressed and she had nothing better to do. I was not thinking and so angry and let it slip that he was human. She got me talking about the human world and how messed up this school was."

He sighed.

"We talked back and forth about our different worlds and she eventually asked if having a girlfriend would cheer me up. Don't misunderstand. This wasn't when she asked me out. That happened much later after Nakamoto. But this was about when the vending machine suddenly started to malfunction."

Kurumu giggled, politely covering her mouth.

"I realize I didn't specify that I had a girlfriend, but that I had girlfriends. I told her what I told you guys, about it never working out, but I also mentioned that I was never good enough to meet any of these girls' parents. And if you're curious, that included the girl I was with at that time."

"Why not?"

"Because I was troublemaker. I was the bad boy that thrilled their heart. I was not someone to take home and introduce to the parents."

"Did your parents meet any of these girls?"

He frowned.

"I guess that's a fair point. But I've always known my parents aren't the deciding factor. I could bring anything home and my mother would love the girl. She could be a kitten or a little mermaid and my father could care less as long as I was not looking for a place to stay."

Tora smiled.

"But he would tolerate it if your mother insisted."

"He would. That's why I insist that it be the girl that asks me out. I'm not the issue of why a relationship will not work. It's always going to be her family that has problems with it. That was apparent in the human world and it is ten times worse in the monster world. You can't even take dating seriously unless you know her true form is compatible."

Kurumu smiled softly, glancing at Tora. The sphinx had a sad, resigned air about her.

"You should ask Ms. Hajihachi out. She's an okami."

He chuckled.

"That doesn't mean instant parental approval, but I agree the chances are much better. And I do miss flirting with her."

"I understand that she's in the fashion club. We were thinking of meeting her one of these days after the field trip."

"You girls are trying hard to hook me up. You realize she's going to be serious about the relationship. Even if she lets me flirt with other girls, it's going to be like marriage serious. Are you sure you want to sabotage yourselves of having a chance with this prime example of male perfection?"

Kurumu laughed despite the somber look in Tora's eyes.

"I'm fine if you think she's the right girl for you."

"Will you ask Ms. Hajihachi out?"

"No."

"Ginei."

He laughed at her piteous whimper.

"That's no fun. She will either reject me outright, which would be amusing, or she would halfheartedly agree with some oddball excuse of feeling sorry for me or having nothing better to do."

"Are there any girls that you would ask out?"

"No."

Kurumu chuckled.

"Okay, let's say that you had to ask a girl out. Absolutely had to. Your life depended on it."

"I've already asked you to leave him twice. What more do you want?"

"Other than me. Sheesh. Why not Tora or Moka?"

"Moka was a fun thought, but when I learned she was the daughter of the head of Fairy Tale, well… I worry about my parents. As for Tora."

He flashed Tora a smile.

"I don't think she could handle it."

"I manage to put up with you thus far. If you just need an excuse to say no to other girls, I could behave like your girlfriend if you wanted."

"I could never ask you to make such a sacrifice for my sake."

Kurumu sighed with a grin. She supposed Ginei had toned down the flirting with Moka this past month, but she had dismissed that due to loss of interest. Ginei liked flirting with girls that gave a reaction. Moka was a wall of politeness around boys that she only let Tsukune through. Ginei rarely flirted with Kana since the girl was so oblivious.

"What about other girls? Okimune for instance."

"I might ask her out after our graduation ceremony if she's still single, simply to find out if I'm the guy she's waiting for. That's mostly because I'm curious."

Kurumu chuckled.

"Okay. Any others?"

He sighed.

"Does the girl have to be an okami?"

"Would you want her to be?"

"Well, there's a difference. Some girls like Hitsumi you want to be with because they're gorgeous girls that would be great to have sex with. You know it won't work out long term, but they're too sexy to write off, if you have a chance with them."

"How crude of you to admit."

"Let's say you will have parental approval to marry the girl you picked."

He sighed, sitting back in his chair.

"It's hard not to think about girls like Mika and Natsue over all the other possibilities."

"Natsue?"

"That cute albino okami on the track team. The one with the hearing impairment."

Kurumu's eyes lit up as she grinned.

"I almost forgot those two were okami. Have you ever spoken with her?"

"I did not meet those girls prior to your interview and haven't thought about it since."

"Oh. So this isn't serious."

"You have to understand that after a year of being in Yokai, I've come to accept the fact that I most likely won't have a serious relationship unless it's with an okami. Maybe an inugami."

"Is Nakamoto an okami?"

"She's crazy. I don't know or care what she is."

Kurumu chuckled, relaxing across the table with her chin in her palm.

"I wonder how many okami girls there are. I know Matsudera, Bikiyama and Uchikawa from the track team are all freshmen okami. There's also that twin sister of that soccer boy. I think they said she was the president of the skiing club."

"That's Fumusuna Futagi and she has a friend, Komida Maemi. Mika is from Morihochou, the same Tokamachi village that those two seniors are from."

"And Mika is the best?"

He grinned.

"Without a doubt. Though Natsue did catch my interest. Hard to dismiss a girl that immediately sparks your protective instincts."

"You'd have to learn sign language."

"I'm sure I could manage communicating with my body in other ways."

Kurumu shook her head.

"Don't you dare think of defiling that sweet girl."

"Why not? You said I have parental approval."

He smirked at Tora.

"I'd even make a woman of Tora if I knew her mother wouldn't kill me."

Tora blushed, grabbing the book and pointedly holding it in front of her face.

"I think we're done with this conversation. It's your fault if you end up with Ms. Nakamoto."

Ginei chuckled, getting up from his chair. Grinning at Kurumu, he gestured to the pool.

"Care to get wet with me?"

Kurumu smirked, waving him off.

"Go hang out with Tsukune. You arranged this party but haven't done a thing with him since it started."

"I got held up."

"And you're not now. Go. Flirt with Honda or something."

He chuckled as he walked off. Kurumu sighed, lowering her head onto her forearms as she rested against the table. She watched Ginei stop to chat with Satsuki and Kamitsuku. His presence caused Satsuki to retreat closer to Kamitsuku.

"I hate him."

Kurumu smiled, hearing the sound of a page turn.

"No you don't."

---

"The food was excellent, Yukari."

Kurumu could only nod in agreement as she caressed her stomach with a content sigh. Yukari's gift to Tsukune was a romantic, candlelit dinner in her suite. The witch had tried to convince Moka to attend, but the vampire had politely refused, opting to spend the night with Kana and Tora. The result was too much food for three people, especially with Yukari having a small appetite.

True to his word, Ginei had stretched out the party all the way to six, though several had left well before that. Satsuki had taken off with Honda and Tobuyoku within a half hour of their talk with Ginei about his girlfriend options. Kamitsuku had left shortly after that with Uchiyama, Aku, Kinusawa and Nakamura. Everyone else had stuck with it to the end.

They were all still dressed in their swimsuits, Ms. Amekoshi allowing Tsukune to keep the bland trunks with the promise that he would bring it back to her once laundered. While Yukari had started dinner, Kurumu had put her things up in her room while tossing her clothes in her hamper. Tsukune had left his belongings in a sack resting in Yukari's foyer next to his shoes. He was thoroughly amused with the passage Yukari had created between their suites, and a little disappointed to hear that Yukari was unable to make the doorway to the human world before summer.

"I know you're full, Tsukune, but I have one more thing."

Yukari got up from the low table she had set in the center of the room. She took a deep breath as she shuffled over to the refrigerator. Tugging it open, she pulled out a pink cake on a green platter. She slowly walked back to the table, kneeling down and placing it reverently before them.

"Oh, wow."

Kurumu smiled. Yukari had created reddish and white floral patterns about the circular cake. In the center it declared a Happy Birthday Tsukune in cautious strokes of yellow.

"I made this yesterday, not wanting to repeat the mistake we had with Moka. I'm still sad we weren't able to give her a cake."

Tsukune chuckled.

"Well… we did sort of give her a cake."

Kurumu smiled, recalling the mess of muffins and pudding the boys had thrown together. She watched as Yukari carefully cut the cake twice into four slices.

"If you don't mind, I want to keep a slice for Moka. I really wanted her to be here."

Tsukune patted his stomach.

"I regret her absence, but she has her reasons."

Yukari sighed, carefully serving a slice onto his emptied plate.

"And I was so well behaved today. I feel cheated."

"Should we sing a birthday song?"

"Seems redundant. He's been sung to at least twice today that I'm aware of."

Kurumu smiled, aware of both times. The boys had struck up a round right before leaving for the pool and Ginei had lead another shortly after arriving. She regarded the slice that Yukari set on her plate, wondering if she would be able to eat that.

"I kind of want to."

"You can do that when you give him your present afterwards."

She had remembered the watch tucked away in the shelf of her closet at the start of dinner, but Yukari had insisted on her waiting till after the meal. Though Yukari served herself last, she was the first to cut a portion off the delicacy with the spoon she had used for her soup.

Taking a deep breath, Kurumu willed herself to pick up her soup spoon. She licked it clean before cutting off a piece of heavily frosted cake. She eased it into her mouth, quickly noting it was a strawberry cake drenched in sweetness. There were hints of cherry and lemon mingled in this sugary mess.

She wondered if Yukari had tested the taste of this cake. It was overwhelming. Thankfully she had a full stomach to nurse this treat as she could imagine how much an empty stomach would protest over this much sugar. She resisted the urge to scrape off the frosting as she took down a couple more bites.

"Do you like it?"

"It's really sweet."

"I know Moka prefers strawberry cake."

"Really? I'm more of a chocolate fan."

Kurumu grinned.

"I love chocolate."

"I knew I should have asked."

"What flavor do you prefer, Yukari?"

"Lemon."

"I've never had a lemon cake before. I wonder what that would be like."

Yukari shrugged, taking another large mouthful. Kurumu smiled, doing the same. The three of them ate most of the cake in silence, much like they had done their meal. She wondered if Yukari was tired from being outside all day or if she was that disappointed about Moka's absence.

"You going to bring the cake to her at lunch tomorrow?"

"Yea."

Tsukune smiled.

"You were humming a song earlier."

"No I wasn't."

The witch had been humming another unfamiliar tune about halfway through the dinner, though she had stopped as randomly as she had started.

"Yukari told me that her parents didn't listen to any music."

"That seems odd. You didn't have a radio?"

"I've heard music. We didn't listen to songs."

"You mean like instrumental music."

"Classical music. My father taught me several pieces on the piano."

"You never mentioned you could play the piano."

"Was this information important?"

Kurumu favored the silly girl a petulant look.

"Of course it is, Yukari. That's not a common skill."

Yukari frowned.

"My father presented it as a means to train my body for speed casting."

"Why would he worry about speed casting?"

"Self defense in the absence of a wand."

Kurumu smiled, aware that Yukari programmed spells into her wand, which she seldom carried these days. But anything could be turned into a wand. The ruby brooch on her cloak was her current source of power, unbeknownst to most.

"Did you like playing the piano?"

"It was challenging. My father would select fast and complex scores for me to perfect. I never could quite master them. The physical demand on my hands was beyond my limitations."

"I'm surprised you would admit defeat."

"I enchanted the piano to play the scores without me. This upset my father, so he stopped pushing the training. I still practiced, because I understand his reasoning, but the spell makes nicer music."

Tsukune smiled, pushing aside his empty plate.

"What kind of music did your mother listen to, Kurumu?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You're always borrowing my CDs and acting like it's the first time you've heard of these bands. It makes me wonder what sort of music you listened to."

Kurumu shrugged.

"My mother didn't own a radio and I wasn't on friendly terms with anyone. I know she had some CDs for some older folk singers but I never bothered listening to them."

"That's a pity. How good were you at playing the piano?"

"I guess I was okay. My mother often commented that I could enter competitions but my father refused to have us mix in human affairs."

"Sounds like you were very good."

"My mother might have been generous in her opinion of my skills."

"Was your mother any good with the piano?"

"No. That would require practice. My mother's talent was witchcraft, not music."

Tsukune sighed.

"I wish I was talented at something."

"Tsukune. I was born with a gifted mind. Sheet music was effortless for me to pick up. I knew how to play the music before I could play the music. I understand many people don't get such a head start."

"It's still something."

"Does a fish boast about its ability to swim or a bird its ability to fly? I was given this. I didn't work for it."

"But you still have to practice."

"That's physical limitation, which is frustrating. You can't work hard at being taller."

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you can't be proud of working hard to expand those limits. Not every athlete has the same natural talent, but all of them can work hard."

Yukari paused, resting her spoon on her empty plate.

"I wonder if they have a piano in the band room."

"I would like to hear you play."

She smiled at him.

"I think we are done with the meal. You two should go to the other room and enjoy a little time alone."

"Can I help with the dishes?"

"No. You'd only be in the way and you need to give him your present."

Kurumu shivered as a healthy dose of desire flooded into her.

"I wonder what sort of present she is planning for me."

Kurumu got up slowly, feeling exhausted from the long day. The heavy meal left her feeling like she could pass out the moment her head hit the pillow, despite the early hour.

"Are you sure we can't do something?"

Yukari laughed as she carried an armful of dishes over to the sink.

"I'm going to do dishes, shower and finish that GTO volume Kana gave me. I still haven't opened the last one she let me borrow."

Tsukune picked himself up off the floor, stretching his arms over his head. He had tufts of hair in his armpits unlike any of the kappa boys.

"I remember GTO. It was an awesome anime."

"I'll have to take your word on that. Kana only has the manga."

"Do you read any manga, Tsukune?"

"Not really. I watch what comes on TV but I've never bought any DVDs or comics."

Yukari chuckled as she came back to the table for more dishes.

"Are you two going to go? I swear I'm going to take my suit off if that's the only way to get you two out of my room."

Kurumu laughed, easing her way to the magical opening between their suites. She felt nervous as she slipped through the opening into her room. She quickly walked across her room to the second door on the left. Tugging the door open, she stepped inside her closet and quickly found the box that contained his gift.

Coming out of the closet, she realized how dark it was in her room. She wandered over to the foyer as Tsukune ducked through the opening. Flipping the switch to bathe the barren room in light, Kurumu smiled at the young man holding his bag of things and shoes as the magic opening closed behind him.

"Welcome to my humble abode."

She giggled as he crossed the room. She could feel his desire pouring into her as he neared. She licked her lips as she glanced aside, clutching the box between her breasts. He came up close, setting his bag and shoes next to hers.

"So this is the gift?"

She nodded as he took it from her hands. He opened the box and smiled.

"I haven't owned a watch since my parents bought me a cellphone."

"Is that okay?"

He chuckled, setting the box on the partial wall that divided the stove from the foyer.

"I'll make sure to wear it."

"I'm glad you like it."

She shivered as she felt the back of his hand brush across her temple. She was so accustomed with avoiding his gaze, but she knew she could not look at him right now. This desire welling up in her was as much hers as his. She wanted kisses. God she wanted kisses.

"Um… I have a few things."

She quickly slipped around him to pull open some drawers and cabinets.

"It's not a working kitchen yet, but it's a start. I hope Mother will send me some things or money to help this pitiful suite resemble a proper apartment."

She took in a sharp breath as he pressed up against her back. She closed her eyes as his arms encircled her and he nuzzled his cheek against hers. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart upon her skin.

"Tsukune."

He held her close, simmering with want. He timidly pressed his lips upon her neck as his left hand drifted up her torso to squeeze her breast. She whimpered, her hands quickly finding his.

"Wait, wait, wait."

He quickly halted his advances, letting his hand drift back to her belly as he relaxed against her.

"I'm sorry. We should probably talk about something."

She relaxed in his arms, feeling his desire lessen.

"Tsukune. I found out that I can't have babies by myself."

He chuckled.

"That's kind of normal. Most girls need a guy."

She smiled, licking her lips.

"That's not what I meant, silly. I can't get pregnant. I have to give that to another woman."

"That's… confusing."

"You know that stigma I showed you in my tail. I put that in another girl and pump baby stuff into another girl."

He stiffened against her.

"You don't need a guy?"

She patted his hand.

"I get that baby stuff from you. I'm like a middle step."

Tsukune chuckled, nuzzling his face against her neck.

"That's okay, Kurumu. I don't mind."

"Are you sure? Being with me means we have to ask another woman to carry our children. I also can't give you sons. I didn't even think about that, but it's so obvious. I'm sorry."

He crushed her moment of despair by squeezing her tightly.

"You worry too much, Kurumu. I told you I will accept you despite all of our differences."

She shivered as she teetered on the brink of submission. This was what she wanted. So many of her friends had approved of this happening. She was scared of the future. There was too much uncertainty on the other side of this.

Stop thinking. Let him decide.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to be my first."

She relaxed, allowing him to paw at her bikini top and bottom.

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Can we get the bedding out?"

"Later."

She swallowed, nodding as he lavished her neck with kisses. As she reached down and tugged on the laces that held her bikini bottom on, her thoughts rolled into a single phrase. She could not cry. No matter what happened, she could not cry.