Tsukune was laying back in the bath letting the heat relax him. He'd been in the garden spacing out the hundreds of a single herb that Yukari had insisted he plant; they were all growing well as far as he could see. It was a little tedious but feeling them as he set them back into the soil they would all survive and quickly grow strong. He heard the door open and Moka come in.

"Hello you're late Moka" He opened his eyes and saw two naked Moka's step into the bath, both with pink hair. "Oh gods Akasha" he shut his eyes and sank below the water as realisation struck.

Akasha watched as Tsukune resurfaced and finally looked at her. His question was in his eyes. It made her burst, he wasn't assuming as her other partners had done, he'd have known that Moka and Kurumu had talked and still he asked her.

Moka and Kurumu watched the silent exchange with grins "Mother has become a member of the house" Moka said

"Then she'd better be introduced to the members duty" Sora said from the side "He didn't get to the Chairman this afternoon"

Tsukune chuckled as Moka moved him and sat him in a surprised Akasha's lap "A little blood and a lot of yoki" Moka tilted her head "Duty calls"

Akasha's body was underwater for which she was glad as she let Tsukune slide between her thighs so that he was lower. Her arms went around Tsukune from the back, at that he'd know that her nipples had hardened as her arms had pulled him back and he'd rested firmly against her.

"Take your time" he whispered to her as he moved his neck slightly

Oh yes he knew she let her fangs break the skin gently and slowly took a little blood and a lot of yoki. She was glad it was only a little blood, he tasted of a far off remembered honey in her human childhood, thousands of years ago. Sweet and filling. She stopped and just held him close revelling in his strength and body, knowing that she'd be safe whenever she was with him, a man who'd truly love and respect her.

The others had watched, when Akasha, eyes still shut lent her face against Tsukune it had started to relax, the pain and stress that they'd not seen slowly vanished as she gently held him. Sora was the first, she quietly got out and left, the others followed leaving the two alone so that Tsukune could work his own kind of magic and heal her. They knew he did it; he'd done it to them all, but they had never seen it so blatantly.

Akasha slowly returned and realised that she was holding Tsukune against her, he was relaxed and quiet. As she went to move his hand gently moved over hers, touching but with no pressure telling her without words that she needn't move. She lent back until she was lying against the side with Tsukune still against her.

"The others"

"They left, you seemed to need a little privacy, they thought it would be best if we talked alone while you recovered"

"Recovered is a good word, what did you do to me Tsukune"

She felt his quiet chuckle "Nothing; you did whatever it was to yourself" his head was on her shoulder "Do you feel better"

"You'll never know just how much. At least I pray you don't"

.

"Tsukune" she started after a while, to feel his finger lightly touch her lips

"Not now, no revelations yet, when you're feeling better"

"Then please just turn around" she moved her arms and he was facing her. She looked into his face, wondering her eyes closed.

A slight kiss on her cheek opened them "This is not the place. Nor the time by a long way, don't hurry"

"Just stay there and show me what it feels like to be held as a lover"

"As a lover" his hands went around her holding her very close and he turned until she was lying on top of him and his arms relaxed again "You'll never be uncomfortable again I hope" his hand stroked her neck and back slowly. She fell asleep on him, her head on his chest listening to the gentle beat of his heart.

.

Moka opened the door and went in. Tsukune was still in the bath with her mother asleep on him. Tsukune caught her eye and she mouthed 'dinner'

'Stay' he mouthed back his hand moved to Akasha's cheek and stroked it "Dinner time little one"

"Don't want any" a petulant childish voice said

"Must have dinner to keep growing big and strong, and mummy's cooked it already"

"Don't wanna move daddy"

"Come on Akasha wakey wakey"

The pink head slowly raised itself "I was asleep" she asked blearily

"Yes you were, now dinner time, mother's waiting"

Akasha laughed as she moved away from Tsukune and stood up, he stood and helped her out "Sorry Moka I fell asleep"

"Now I know who I get the grumps from in the morning" Moka held a towel and wrapped her mother with a hug "Better"

Akasha trapped in the towel lent against her "Oh yes I slept the sleep of the living"

She was still sleepy and Moka picked her up in her arms "I'll take her and stay with her tonight tell Kurumu" she looked at his face "Yours" he nodded

Akasha woke slightly as she was laid on the bed, then Moka got in as well, she hugged her tight and went to sleep contented. She was still holding Moka as she woke but felt Tsukune behind her his arm over them both. As she dozed she realised that Tsukune was waking up, and that he'd put pyjama bottoms on. She went to whisper to Moka when a breath touched her ear.

"Stay there Akasha I'm alright"

Akasha opened her eyes at the whisper and saw Moka looking at her "Tsukune roll"

Akasha felt Tsukune's arms flex, the other she realised was underneath her. He rolled onto his back with both her and Moka now above him, he gently opened his arms and she slid to his right and Moka to his left. Once against him his arms came around and held them gently. He went back to sleep until the alarm sounded.

"I suppose you two want breakfast" Akasha felt the words rumble in his chest "Neck of wrist" he asked as if he were carving a bird at the table.

"Wrist is easier" Moka said yawning. Tsukune relaxed his arms allowing them to roll onto their backs and his wrist moved over their opened mouths. "Breakfast in bed, almost the best thing to wake up to" She looked at her mother and grinned as she blushed.

oOoOo

Moka had given her rooms on the upper floor where she could be private. Moving her few belongings in had taken little time; she spent the rest in the grounds and thinking. Her occasional forays into the outside world and her realm took time, but not much. She helped train Tsukune and the others, taking Yoki when he needed it and his freely given blood. That was too delicious to refuse at any time. She slowly became used to living in a loving family as a real part of it and not just a thing to be used or as a duty. The more she was around Tsukune the more she realised that he was everything he seemed to be, there was no deceit in him at all. He couldn't care that she was powerful, she was Akasha, a member of the house to which he was head. So very different from any others she'd ever spent time with, her good health was his concern and he tried to make sure that she happy.

Sitting on the stone bench she wasn't thinking of much when Tsukune came and sat beside her. "Akasha I know that you're a Hades Lord, but after one day Kurumu stopped me, yesterday Moka stopped me, today it doesn't matter anymore. If you want to beat me and show me my place then go ahead, but talk to me first. Tell me what's wrong"

She looked at him quizzically "Nothing's wrong"

"Then why are you moping on this bench again"

"I'm not moping" she replied with a little heat

"Good a reaction, now again, tell me again you're not moping"

"Tsukune I'm not moping" her voice had risen

He looked long and hard at her "Why do you wear that dress, rather that style of dress. It's Victorian there's no way you can move properly in it"

"What has my dress got to do with anything" her eyes flashed

"I don't know" he took and held her hand "But you're more irritated at that question than me accusing you of moping"

"What, don't you like it?"

"What's not to like, it's pretty and has an elegance to it" he looked straight into her eyes "It defines you as a thing, a trophy to be on display and restrained. That part I don't like if you want the truth" there was anger in his own voice.

She stopped her retort as he quietly finished. Her mind went back to when she'd started wearing the style "It was the style that Issa adopted, quasi Victorian"

"Then wear it if you want, but not because you have to"

"How did you know?"

"You sit here with your mind who knows where and your fingers pull at the top as if you want to take it off but can't" he smiled sweetly "You can" he pulled her into a hug "be yourself Akasha, you're no trophy, you're a loved member of this house"

"What shall I wear?"

"What ever you like, try Moka's clothes if you want, they'd look good on you. Wear what makes you happy not what others think you should wear" he stifled a chuckle

"What"

"I was just thinking that you could pass as Moka in her uniform"

She giggled and was quiet for a while. "Will you help me Tsukune?"

"What ever you want"

"Then help me change"

"Change yes, but I'll not tell you what to wear"

"You just want to see me in my underwear"

"Now there's a thought" he frowned "Not if they're Victorian as well, all those dead whales"

"Idiot they're plastic now, I'll show you"

"Just what you want, shall I ask Moka for some clothes for you"

Akasha thought then nodded "Just changing"

"As I've said before, take your time" Again she was subject to a hard look "Before we go to my room that hair's coming down" his hands came up and slowly removed the clips, carefully putting them in his pocket. Released it tumbled as he worked, finally his hands, fingers spread ran through it" Others won't see it but you're so very different, so totally unique. He lent forwards and kissed her lightly.

She extended it and put her arms around him, finally breaking apart "How do you do it?"

"Living with five women" he raised his eyebrows in query "survival" he grinned

oOoOo

"Sir, Aono Moka is here to see you" the guard outside informed him through the intercom.

"Send her in" he replied absently

As she came in Sora standing near the Chairman looked then blinked and looked again. She smiled; Akasha was wearing Moka's uniform.

"What can I do for you" the chairman was stopped by a poke from Sora. He looked again "Clear the room, Sora stay"

"Poking me Sora" he asked when they were alone

"I am your guard"

"I don't think I'd come to harm, but well spotted" he turned "Do you wish to enrol in the school Akasha" Her grin lit the room and he looked yet again this time with a cleric's sight and drew a deep breath "Tsukune is a wonder; he healed Moka and Kurumu even before his change. It's been a long time Akasha" he said quietly.

"So long I didn't know until he's almost finished" she acknowledged "But I need to talk to you privately now I've had a little fun"

Sora walked to the door and bowed "My Lords" she left

.

"Well" Moka asked as her mother came into the bathhouse

"You didn't tell them" Akasha looked at Sora who shook her head. Akasha grinned widely "They didn't have a clue, Sora had to poke the Chairman to get him to look again"

"So have you decided what to wear yet" Kurumu asked "we can help"

"Well Tsukune suggested the Dior 50's to start with, the cotton full skirt dresses for normal, and the loose skirt and jacket for business. He seems to think I should take it slowly"

"Men" Kurumu huffed "He's right though, you'd look stunning in classic Dior" she turned to him "Why can't you dress yourself properly when you can come up with such a brilliant idea?"

"Why should I care what I look like?" he answered absently.

Kurumu dunked him and went to join the others as they chatted about dresses and clothes. Tsukune sat and relaxed with a small smile.

oOoOo

Tsukune shuffled the papers together and started from the beginning checking his answers to the questions. He wasn't worried about having summer school, but he'd entered a mild competition with Moka on the highest marks. He was still a little behind her in English and the languages, but had caught up and was a little better in maths. He had to maximise his marks to win. Head down he reviewed what he'd done.

"Well" Moka asked as they walked out of the room

"I'm hopefully optimistic"

"So am I"

"As long as you don't cheat and have your mother take the English paper I might give you a run for your money"

"You know I hadn't thought of that" She grinned as they waited for Kurumu "Mind you you'd know straight away. Nobody else does" she frowned "Even Kurumu gets confused at times"

"I don't know why, you're totally different in looks and personality"

Moka smiled, Kurumu had been right, again. Tsukune didn't see either of them as a substitute for the other. "What are you doing after lunch?"

"Yukari and I are going talk to her parents about the herbs we've grown. I forgot to ask, is it alright if they come over to pick them up if they want them?"

"Technically it's right that you ask, but with Fujiko and Taminori since they're her parents I extended an open invitation" she looked around "I wonder what's keeping Ku"

They went back into the room to see Kurumu sitting and looking angry

"What happened" Tsukune quickly went to her and made sure she wasn't hurt

"I'm not hurt Tsukune, I'm annoyed I got one of the supplementary questions wrong, as soon as I handed the paper in I realised"

Both Tsukune and Moka laughed, "Passed then" Tsukune looked at her

"Of course" she started to take umbrage then laughed herself.

"Which question" Ririko was sat marking

"The last of the supplementary questions" Kurumu sighed "In my working I put in the figure for the cosine instead of the square of the cosine. It gives the wrong answer"

Ririko flicked through the papers and brought it out "Yes you did, a silly mistake that has cost you a point on the supplementary since you have detailed your workings" she grinned at the trio "Tsukune take your wives home and help her get over this horrendous misfortune that will surely scar her for the rest of her life"

"Yes Sensei, I think congratulations are in order too"

.

Fujiko and Taminori stood in the kitchen garden looking at the rows of fully grown herbs in total shock. This years crop had been poor, the best at cultivating the herb had unfortunately died last year of old age. There had been long and detailed discussions of what to do and where to make the cuts. "How many plants" Fujiko finally asked

"Here three hundred, we ran out of space there's another two hundred outside against the back wall" Yukari replied "We were looking at a way of making some money and I know that this is a difficult herb to grow so we thought we'd start with it" She looked at her parents "So what do you think"

"We'll have to talk to the council, how many plants were you thinking of selling"

"I was going to keep twenty or so since I'm doing more advanced potions this summer, the Chairman has asked for ten as well"

"Four hundred and seventy" she looked at Yukari "You'll sell four hundred and seventy"

"Tsukune can always grow some more, you'd better take a few so that they can test for purity. The odd leaf I've tested has come up at the top end of the scale given in the books"

"I'd better go and get the leader of the council and show him, he can select the plants to take for testing" Taminori looked around "With your permission of course Moka"

"I'm afraid I can't give you that" she looked at the shock on both faces "I'm not Moka"

"Mother" Moka's voice came from outside and she stepped in with a basket "Of course you can. Will he stay for dinner, we're just picking some vegetables"

Looking at the two standing side by side Taminori nodded "Probably not he'll want to test as soon as he can"

Fujiko reached and stopped him nodding "The test won't take long, but he'll want to harvest as soon as he can. This year's crop has been poor, we need these urgently"

"You know the value then. I won't expect the full price in view of your need, just a fair price"

"On behalf of us all my thanks" she tapped her husbands arm "Work before dinner, off you go, I'll wait here"

"The ward will accept him if he's with you" Yukari shouted as he ran off "Do you think we should have mentioned the others" she asked Tsukune

"What else have you grown" Fujiko asked

"We started with some of the alpines, Purple Saxifrage, Alpine Arnica and Yellow Poppies" Yukari indicated to the walls where additional bricks were attached "the frog makes a good substitute for the soil conditions, and we can regulate the acidity very closely. We also grew Shilajit and Spikenard, she pointed to the plants against the base of the wall, they've also come up well, again they've all tested at the top end of the scale"

"Well I'd keep most of them, although you won't use all of the plant. Claudius the leader of the council will want whatever you've produced but if he tells you what he wants then it's easier all round" she nodded "This crop you've grown are our most pressing need, he'll be happy with that or I won't be" She grinned at Yukari and hugged her tight "You don't know but we only manage to produce fifty plants in a very good year. This year was twenty"

.

"Looks like there are others with papa mama Moka" Yukari said a few minutes later

"Let them in and we'll see what they want" They heard loud voices from outside the wall and went out so see who'd arrived

"Moka I'd like to introduce Claudius the council leader. When I told him he just said yes and organised these two to harvest if it's alright with you"

Moka took the hand "Surely, Yukari will show you, I understand there are some around the back as well" She looked at the large florid man walking towards them as the two went into the kitchen garden with Tsukune and Yukari "And who is this?"

"Ulysses a member of our council, he was there when Taminori told us of the life-line you've provided for us. He insisted on coming"

"He knows that this is a traditional household" Fujiko asked from behind Moka

"He has been told Fujiko, I can only hope that he remembers since he didn't write it as his original work"

Tsukune walked out the door "I will not allow disrespect to members of this house" his sharp ears had picked up the exchange

"Claudius allow me to introduce Aono Tsukune the head of house" Fujiko said as he walked and stood beside Moka

"Welcome" Tsukune took the hand with a bow

"Where are these mythical herbs then" The voice bellowed in Tsukune's ear

Claudius turned to the man "Ulysses, control yourself you are a guest here and they won't tolerate your nonsense as I have to" he looked sternly at the man "Now the herbs are through that door, watch and keep quiet"

Akasha came out carrying the basket of vegetables "Hello Claudius are you staying for dinner"

"Lady Bloodriver?" he whispered he looked back at Moka then did a double take as Tsukune watched his face with a grin

"Out of the way girl" the tone of Ulysses voice had Tsukune moving before he looked, he stood in front of Akasha.

"Leave. Leave now or I'll remove you" Tsukune's voice had dropped

"Go and get your papa boy" he went to shoulder the two out of the way. Tsukune stopped him with a hand on his chest, then pushed him firmly shooting him beyond the group of Moka, Claudius and Yukari's parents.

"You were told this is a household and to show respect. You bellow in my ear and call me a boy, insult a member of this house and then try to barge past her, did you consider that she might have been hurt?" Tsukune was walking towards him. Every witch felt the mother, she was angry "No mother, this is an arrogant child with no manners" he looked at Moka "He needs to be taught some" he lent down and grabbed an ankle and dragged him to the stump that Moka had used. "Consider yourself lucky, Moka would have broken you" and picked him up by the jacket, his hand quickly found the wand and removed it. "I abhor violence but there seems to be no other option you behave like a spoilt child in this house, therefore you'll be treated like one"

He sat on the stump and pulled Ulysses over his knees and proceeded to spank him. Where Moka had given Yukari six, Tsukune decided that age should increase the number. At the count of twenty four firm strokes he stopped and set Ulysses on his feet again "You're not responsible enough to use this" he held up the wand as he still sat on the stump "therefore it will remain here until I'm satisfied that you are. More likely I'll hand it to your beneficiary" he pointed to the ward "Go unless you need another lesson in manners"

"I'll take him back Mr Aono" one of the others stood near, three filled pallets were on a barrow "I've to come back we didn't bring enough pallets" At Tsukune's nod he walked Ulysses to the ward and they vanished.

Laughter erupted as they disappeared, looking up Tsukune saw tears falling down both Moka's and Akasha's faces. Yukari's parents were sat on the grass grinning to split their faces and Claudius came towards him with an extended hand.

"Mr Aono that was a sight to behold, I and all my colleagues thank you. You have no idea how long we've all wanted to do that." He sighed and his head fell "I know that we now have to pay for the insult" his face came up "But I can't help it I'm just so happy, behaved like a child so you treated him like one"

"A passing lesson, I'm sure he'll be healed as soon as he gets back"

"Oh no" the grin got wider "I told Miles to take him to the council chambers and explain, no one will heal him beyond his safety, he will suffer his punishment" he indicated the wand "He can't do it himself either" he giggled "You confiscated his wand as it he were a naughty boy"

Tsukune walked across to Moka "Sorry I usurped your prerogative"

Moka looked at her mother and burst into laughter again "Don't be, it was totally appropriate for his behaviour"

Akasha smiled at him "Thank you Tsukune" she kissed him and shook her head, her eyes aglow, "So protective" she said to Moka in a whisper. None of her previous partners would ever think to protect her from such a small thing; they'd have watched her do it herself gloating that she belonged to them.

.

Claudius sat in his chair as the women and Tsukune cleared away the table and washed up. His eyes still held the laughter from the afternoon, but his mind was working. When they'd finished they sat upstairs looking out to the grounds with drinks. "Lady Moka, what do you require?"

"In respect of his behaviour, I'll leave that to you. Because you're obligated as well, then assistance with my children's education when they need it; knowledge not financial assistance"

He looked at Tsukune "That could have had far reaching consequences, I thank you for your understanding Mr Aono, for myself and all witches" he turned back to Moka "He will make financial reparations to this house in the first instance. Now the boon your house has granted us in respect of the herbs"

"As I told Taminori, a fair price, it needn't be all at once, you have I understand many years or your normal production there. Pay as you will"

"I'll have little problems with such generous terms" he sighed "But now I must get back to work, at least I'm fortified by a wonderful meal"

Tsukune and Moka escorted him to the door "I'd appreciate it if you tell me when he can have his wand back" Tsukune said as he shook the hand

"If he learns his lesson hopefully a few years"

"Yukari can take care of it, I understand that they are like familiars and need attention"

"He's luckier than ever he realises, we'll send his others"

oOoOo

"No Ulysses this matter is a meeting of the enclave not the council" Claudius was addressing the man in front of him as he sat on a heavily padded chair. "Your actions have affected all of us and our descendants"

"How"

"Ulysses you were a member of this council and as such were expected to see beyond the surface on such matters. Detail the possible and actual outcomes please"

"We could have lost the crop" there was a silence

"And"

"The lost volume" he looked up to Claudius and saw no give there "I felt the mother, she was angry" his head hung "We could have lost lives and we are committed to Lady Moka's house for an indeterminate time, as a vampire she can bear children for her near immortal life"

"Even so her terms were very generous; I don't expect her to abuse them." He looked up at the gathering "Who was, the 'girl' you called her, that you went to push past?"

"I don't know, a member of the household"

"That 'girl' was the Hades Lord, Lady Bloodriver Ulysses" there were shocked gasps from the crowd "That knowledge does not leave this meeting" he said sharply "If Lady Bloodriver thinks that someone here has interfered with her plans then her retribution will be far more severe than I'd like to imagine" he turned back to the now pale man on the chair "As a member of this council you were at the very least expected to know the Hades Lords. You were very lucky and have been given a chance, learn from it and regain your position, your wands will be cared for until the council has decided that you're worthy of them again, until that time you are confined to working within the enclave" the gavel hit the block in the silence.