It had to be said that the story made interesting reading when they were handing out the newspapers at the beginning of the term, especially as the fields had now been designated a natural park. The story, with the individual actions removed was an Youkai interest story after all. Moka's tips on interaction in the human world and Kurumu's discussion on the girls fashions were also well sought after. Yukari's 'First impressions of the human world' had 'Chopper' rumbling even in his human form; that she'd left in her comment about him challenging cars and trucks had him laughing as he gently patted her on the head and thanked her. The take up, initially slow had emptied all the boxes well before the start of the first lesson.
"I've never seen people act like you" A voice said. Tsukune turned to see a girl with mauve hair walk up to him, very close to him "You're Tsukune-kun you're cuter than I expected" her breath was cool on his cheek "I'll take a copy" her hand wrapped around his and took the paper from him. She walked away
"Just who was that" Moka asked glaring at Tsukune then after the girl, who'd vanished.
"I don't know, never seen her before"
"Umm well never see her again" Kurumu added "She got far to close for my liking" her face was also angry
"Perhaps Sora knows" Yukari said as she took Tsukune's hand "Come on we need to get to classes"
.
Shizuka Nekonome bounced into the classroom with her usual total disregard for formality; Tsukune was beginning to notice however that this covered her astute appraisal of the class. "Today first thing we have to elect a Class Representative, an assistant and two secretaries for this class" Tsukune knew she wasn't looking at him, but she was somehow. She was facing the back of the class "Well well Shirayuki Mizore" she stopped "Class this is Shirayuki Mizore who was absent last term" she turned back as the rest of the class turned to look at the classmate they'd never met. "What have you to say?"
"Tsukune kun would make a good representative" Mizore said
"Normally you introduce yourself, however" she seemed to bounce "We have a nomination for the Class Representative" This time her face turned to him and she seemed to smirk with closed eyes "Tsukune kun" she announced proudly
"No" he was still looking at the girl who'd taken his paper this morning. Around him there was clapping "No" he turned back "We need to elect someone, isn't that what happens"
"It will be you Tsukune" Nekonome said with finality "However if you want an election" she grinned
"A dozen goldfish" he said very quietly hiding his mouth knowing she'd hear it
She shook her head still smiling "That's naughty for the Class Representative" she quietly said back.
"I'm screwed" he said as her grin got bigger.
.
"We need to get some things for the clubroom" Moka and Kurumu had stopped by Tsukune's desk after the lessons. "What's the matter" Tsukune was still holding his head "Mr. Representative"
"That's the matter. I don't want to be the representative"
"Even to the extent of trying to bribe Nekonome" Kurumu smiled
"That worked well" he looked at them "It means that the Chairman wants me to be the representative" he looked at the blank faces "Who else would make her forgo free fish"
"Actually that's not a good sign" Moka looked up "She's here somewhere"
"Who" Kurumu looked around
"That Shirayuki girl" she looked at Tsukune "She shows up the first day and comes to you. Then she proposes you for representative. I don't like it"
"Ah here you are Tsukune-kun. You can help Mizore to get adjusted to school after her absence" Nekonome voice started to falter as she looked at Moka's face
"Hello Tsukune" Mizore came from behind Nekonome and took his arm possessively "Why are you with these two?"
A light went off in Moka's head and she glared at Nekonome "Don't tell me; Shirayuki Mizore is a Yuki Onna" the look on Nekonome's face was confirmation. Moka's head hung down "Bloody Chairman" she muttered then looked up at Mizore "You and I are going to have a long talk in a minute whilst Tsukune and Kurumu go and get the things for the newspaper club meeting after school" she looked back at Nekonome "I assume you've made her join the club?"
"Yes we need the members"
"I hope you're referring to the Newspaper club" Moka's face was grim "I'll talk to her"
"But Tsukune is to be with me" Mizore was looking at the angry faces of Moka and Kurumu "What am I missing"
"A lot" Moka replied tersely "Kurumu, Tsukune shopping" she took Mizore's arm "We are going for a walk"
Mizore looked at Moka's hair as it flickered between pink and silver "What are you?"
"A very annoyed vampire" she led her out.
oOoOo
Moka placed her hand on the ward still holding Mizore's arm and led her into the grounds of the house "We can talk here and not be disturbed" she indicated the bench "Let's sit there"
"Is this where you live?"
Moka ignored the question "How old are you Mizore"
"Sixteen"
Moka sighed "Just old enough to be here, and looking for a mate before your seventeenth birthday. Is that why you're here"
"The priestess told me that there was a good chance of me finding my mate if I came to the school" she pulled the sweet from her mouth "When I arrived I had a letter telling me to watch for someone different" at Moka's nod she carried on "After the introduction ceremony I saw Tsukune, he was so feeble looking and pale. I wondered if the letter meant him, so I just kept an eye on him. When he started writing in the paper I knew it was him I was supposed to meet. The way he writes, always from the perspective of the weaker person; so understanding. I just knew but didn't know how to approach him. Usually we just freeze someone, but if he was the one for me then that might make it a little awkward, also I had to find out what he was before I took him back home"
"And what is he?"
"I was getting closer and I thought he was human until he knocked that troll out. It was a shock, the power he had, so I hid again and carried on watching from a distance" she looked around "I could never get in here though"
"You tried"
"No I looked, we live under a ward so I know what one looks like" she looked about "This one changed and became even more sensitive. There's no way I'd try and break wards like this"
"Why haven't you been in classes?"
"Well" Mizore looked around "I can tell you in here" she looked a little scared "You can't tell him you know though"
Moka sighed silently she was really beginning to understand Tsukune's frustration with the attitude of Youkai that might was right. "Just tell me and then we can decide what to do"
Mizore looked surprised "How did you know"
'How did I not' thought Moka as she looked at the girl again. She was very pretty "Just tell me"
"Well the day after the induction I was looking around the grounds and I met a teacher" Mizore stopped
"Which one"
"I didn't know at the time, but he was older and looked" she shook her head "Safe like the adults at home. He said he would show me some sights and a good time"
Moka did groan out loud "What was his name" she asked wearily
"I didn't know, he tried to force me to have sex, he'd grabbed me from behind and" she stopped and started to cry
Moka hugged her "How did you get away" she asked when the tears had stopped
"I froze him and ran. That's why I spent most of my time in my room. Nekonome sensei looked after me and would bring me books and the paper to read so I could see what was going on in the school"
"Do you know his name now?"
"Kotsubo the sports teacher"
Moka was quiet for a long time "Mizore I'm a vampire, and this is a vampire household, do you know what that means?" Mizore nodded tears coming to her eyes. "Why are you crying"
"It means that Tsukune can't be my mate"
Moka sighed again "You came to the school because the priestess sent you, because the Chairman had arranged for Tsukune to be here; however I met Tsukune first and then. Well things happened. Yes Tsukune is the Head of House but there might be a way. I'm not promising though understand, a lot will depend on others. However, for today you'll stay with me, then later we'll get some things so you sleep here tonight safe from that bastard Kotsubo. In the meantime you can talk to Tsukune but nothing else until I've talked to the others and Tsukune tonight" she stood up "Now come on lunch is almost over and we need to keep our attendance up to date"
oOoOo
It had to be sports in the afternoon, when Kotsubo saw Mizore he grinned and went towards her. She moved back and came up against Moka standing behind her. Moka put a hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. Mizore stood a little straighter as Kotsubo came nearer.
"Detention for you, you've missed too many classes" he smirked "I need to evaluate you"
"Not going to happen" Moka said quietly
"Detention for you as well"
"Detention is fine" she looked at him "Your evaluation of Mizore isn't happening"
"Can I come" Kurumu pouted from the side "Moka said she needs to evaluate my progress"
.
From his window the Chairman turned "Sora did you ever consider teaching as a career. We're about to have a vacancy for a sports teacher. Consider it a second job and take yourself off the rota, teacher's hours only. Keep command however; I think you'll start tomorrow"
Sora came to the window and looked at the tableau "Couldn't be happier" she smiled "I'll go and find Tsukune, that looks like a girl's day out to me"
oOoOo
"The Chairman offered me the job of sports teacher if it became available" Sora greeted the trio as they jogged back from their 'evaluation run'.
"Unless he can regenerate from being diced into cubes and eaten by some very happy gulls I think the position's yours" Moka said as she came up to her "He tried to rape us then turned into a Krakken" Moka smiled "Kurumu's progressing nicely using her claws, they work well with her speed" her grin was evil "I don't think he enjoyed my evaluation of her progress. We still need to talk later, but Mizore's staying at the house tonight"
"What's the official reason for his replacement" Kurumu asked
"Left after it was proved he tried to abuse female students" Sora replied blandly
"Then come to the club, Gin can take a picture and we'll put it in the paper" Kurumu grinned "I need to have a shower first" she sniffed her top "Stink of squid"
oOoOo
Akasha walked into the room and noticed the zone of silence, then looked around. Everyone was here.
"We're having a house meeting mother and we need some advice" she smiled "Your vote is also required as you're also a member"
"The little mauve haired girl"
"The little mauve haired Yuki Onna" Moka replied
"Oh" Akasha sat "I assume that Mikogami had earmarked Tsukune for her or something along those lines"
"From what she's told me yes; the priestess told her to come and a letter was given to her to look out for an unusual boy" Moka handed her mother the letter "but she was almost raped and hid for the first term, she's developed a crush on Tsukune from his writing in the newspaper" Moka looked around "She was also put into the newspaper group by Nekonome"
"What do you want Moka, this is a wives decision" Akasha looked at her daughter
"Not entirely mother, we're all involved here. That's why Tsukune's here as well"
"Ok first you're not bound by Mikogami's obligations to the snow priestess or his letter to the girl" she looked at the letter again "Although this isn't his style of writing, it is his style of manipulation" she looked around "If" she hesitated "We, take her on then it's up to Mikogami to determine his obligations in this matter"
"Is he likely to try and match people up, or would it have been pot luck" Kurumu asked
"Actually he's likely to have tried to match up as far as he can. I suppose it's shown in her attraction through Tsukune's writing. How old is she?"
"Sixteen"
"She hasn't got long then" she looked at the group "What are the advantages"
"Ignoring" Moka's waved hand indicated "She's quite powerful in her own right although untrained, she'll be loyal, it's in the genes and another person is an asset"
"Against" Akasha asked
"She's foisted on us. It gives the impression that we can be forced. She'll have to have children very soon which means she comes into the position of wife sooner rather than later. And of course we don't know much about her"
"Tsukune you're quiet" Akasha looked at him
He raised his head and smiled "I'm still too much a human in my feelings. This is part of the old ways that I'm not entirely comfortable with. I understand the position and agree that the house comes first. I don't really think beyond that I should be here, it's for you ladies to decide" He looked at Moka "Same as before" she nodded "Then I'll go and keep Mizore company"
"She's in her room, today is the first time since the start of school that she's felt safe, she looked tired so we put her to bed and Yukari made her sleep"
"Ok, I go and catch up on some homework"
"Go and sleep Tsukune you're tired as well" he nodded and went out.
.
As he shut the door Moka looked at her mother's face "We're going to be some time, why don't you go and look after him"
oOoOo
"Tsukune can I come in"
"Of course Akasha"
She opened the door and went in "Only you can tell us apart, even our voices"
"I can't see the problem, you're two different people, you sound different, look different and smell different. I find it strange that others can't" He was laying on the bed.
"Moka was right, you look exhausted Tsukune" she sat near and brushed his hair. He shut his eyes and smiled at the touch of her hand "What makes you smile"
"I forgot that your touch is different"
"You like"
"Of course, it's nice"
Slowly she saw the tension relax "What's wrong?"
"It'll sound strange but I felt like a stud bull with a new heifer in the ring" he opened his eyes and took her hand "Sorry"
"It's slightly easier for girls; we don't have to prove our interest, and in the houses if we didn't want to we didn't" she carried on stroking his hair "Is she that bad"
"It's not that, I don't know her. I love you and the others but to me she's just a face a body. I have no interest in her. When she comes into the house I've got to be the same for her as for all of you. I don't know if I can" he still held her other hand. "Silly isn't it"
"No it rather sweet" he opened his eyes again to look at her "When I had to move houses it was like a new bull. Issa just came round to 'make us his'"
"I'm sorry Akasha" he pulled her gently down to hold her "I didn't mean to bring back bad memories for you"
"They weren't like that" she relaxed into him "He came in whilst I was asleep and took the bedclothes off" she giggled a little "Standing there all 'upright' I asked him what he thought he was doing. He said that he was the head of house and it was his right" she laughed "I told him that as mistress of the house he slept with who I said he could. I was still a little sleepy and then smelt one of the others on him and asked him who said he could sleep with anyone. 'No one it's my right' he said. I lost my temper and hit him then called the other wives in and it was made very clear to him that we were in charge. He'd raped one of the younger girls, I took him down into the ballroom and we beat him until we'd broken almost all of his bones. Then told him that he wasn't to sleep with anyone for the foreseeable future, at the very least until his manners had improved." she smiled again "We left him in the room for three days he eventually crawled out and tried to get to a servant for blood. Luckily the wife he'd raped found him and pulled him off the girl before he could drink. She dragged him to a kennel outside and threw him in there telling him that if he behaved like a dog, we'd treat him like one. He never came near me again" she wiggled slightly to get comfortable "We played the good couple but I despised him in honesty and he hated me. It was ten years before a wife went near him. You my dear sweet Tsukune are poles apart for which I'm grateful" she moved him so that he was resting on her.
"Are all vampires like that, I've only met Moka and you" Akasha smiled, he hadn't noticed the change in positions.
"Most of the males in Japan are, in reality the older women have kept the men honest for the most part. Issa was too arrogant to change. After the wife went to him he abused her, she and the rest left. Issa then brought women into the house and I announced to the other houses it was finished. I suppose pride kept me there, and the fact that it's my house. My own indifference as well, I was busy still setting up the realms and couldn't be bothered with him. When I finally got back, he'd moved all the vampires in and had two children by two other women. But for you this is the distaff of living in a matriarchal society. You have to perform whatever; at least she's your age and is pretty"
Tsukune was falling asleep with his head against Akasha "Maybe I can come to love her like you and the others, at least I've four beautiful wives and daughter"
"I'm not a wife, I'm a member" Akasha said quietly
"Not to me" he snuggled closer "I love you too much" he quietly fell asleep with an arm gently around her
"And I love you Tsukune" she whispered and continued to sooth him as he slept.
.
Moka opened the door and looked in, smiling when she saw them asleep lying on the top of the bed still fully clothed. As she came into the room Akasha's eyes opened and her yoki soared, then looking at Moka they shut and she instantly calmed. It took Moka a moment to realise but her mother hadn't woken up. She shut the door behind her as she left.
.
When she woke up Akasha was resting on Tsukune, she knew that he was awake and watching her. This time it was she who was sleepy and snuggled closer "What are you doing Tsukune"
"Watching you whilst you were asleep" his hand was running languidly through her hair, his breathing slow and steady
"People will think you're a pervert looking at old ladies"
"If I can watch you I don't care what they think"
"You didn't say I wasn't old"
"I know you're old, but you're gorgeous, and hopefully one day I'll be your husband if you'll have me"
"I can't just yet"
"I know, I'll just have to wait, but then don't begrudge me making the most of you whilst I can. Go back to sleep Akasha"
"Ok husband mine" she slept again quietly.
oOoOo
Moka tapped the door as she went to the bathroom, when she came back it was open and Tsukune was in the shower. The bed had been tidied and her mother gone. When she appeared for breakfast Yukari looked up, then jumped up and hugged her tight. Akasha stroked her head "Morning Yukari, what's this"
"Morning mama"
Akasha's face flattened and Moka looked up eyes wide "What" they both said
Yukari looked nonplussed "Mama" she said again "I can feel it"
"But I didn't I haven't" Akasha stuttered
"Then perhaps you had and you'd better" Kurumu replied with a huge grin "I think Tsukune's going to be feeling too ill to go to school today"
"We can talk about that in a minute, first let's wait for Tsukune" They carried on getting breakfast ready. He appeared looking slightly tired still but calmer.
"Ok" Moka started once they were all sat down, "Mizore, you will stay here as a guest. If you do you'll learn the rules of the house and follow them. Everything that goes on here stays between us. The house will protect you at school if you have any other problems, and you'll be expected to help house members if you see them in trouble" They watched Mizore nod "Then first you will attend school and Yukari will tutor you until your grades are acceptable. You can talk to and get to know Tsukune and find out for yourself if he is the one for you; but no overt advances. As to what he is, that remains in the house, you'll be told if you ask to become a member and are accepted. If Tsukune isn't the one for you they you can leave at any time, but will be expected to keep what you learn here to yourself"
.
The chairman was feeling rather pleased when Moka was shown in. He smiled at her as she walked up to his desk.
"Mrs Aono"
"Mr. Chairman"
"To what do I owe the pleasure"
"I've come to tell you that we have a guest at the moment" she watched the expression change "Because she has been misinformed prior to the formation of the house by people in authority, and the unfortunate incident with the teacher it was decided that she can stay and find out if Tsukune is the one for her. If he is then she becomes a member of the house" she smiled "If she decides otherwise then she's free to leave"
"A guest"
"A guest" Moka stated
"Very well I'll tell the stores to increase the amount you can draw"
"We will tutor her of course"
"Of course Mrs Aono" he closed the glows of his eyes "I don't feel that your husband is at school today"
"He's not feeling too well and we decided that bed rest was the best thing for him"
"I see, the other members and guest"
"Are all where they should be, at school"
"I see, thank you Mrs Aono" He frowned and went to the window, he quickly found the others all at school, Mizore was being taken care of by Kurumu and Yukari as Moka strode up to them and they went into the class, waving to Sora as they passed. He raised his vision to the house and was met by a blank; rather the blank looked back and met his gaze. Still frowning he went back to work then smiled 'she asks nothing and yet demands that I acknowledge the debt to Mizore' his humour restored he went back to his papers.
oOoOo
"Mother is there anything you want to tell me" Moka asked after she'd got back from school
"Nothing really, why" Akasha had an innocent face plastered so far on it was inches deep
"I was just wondering why you'd only just started getting dinner ready" Moka was trying not to laugh
"We lost track of time" Akasha wasn't looking at her, the wall the window anywhere but Moka
Moka lent in "Aren't you glad vampires heal quickly" she whispered and then laughed at her mothers face
"I think Tsukune needs to rest tonight" Akasha said with a blush. Moka just looked and waited "We did sleep for an hour or two this afternoon" she finally admitted.
"You changed the bed" Akasha nodded "Then it's a family night with Yukari as well" Moka smiled
"I just wish that I'd found him first, I'm a little jealous that you're his mate if I'm honest"
"I wondered" Moka looked at her "We're both his wives you know and I'm too young for a mate"
"Not really Moka, the personalities have merged, you're as you should be if I hadn't had to seal you and your memories. You can take Tsukune as your mate I'll give you my blessing"
"This is a house that is using the rules where they're appropriate" Moka smiled "Has there ever been a shared mate?"
"You'd do that" Akasha was amazed vampires were on the whole extremely possessive of the title mate
Moka sat and looked at her mother "We're trying to modernise the way we look at things, Tsukune has four wives at the moment, we two are vampires Sora is a Zenko all three of us are nigh on immortal the term mate seems old fashioned but it has meaning. If we three are wives are we not therefore his mates in this aspect as well"
"What about Kurumu"
"To her he's her mate of fate, that's what succubus call the perfect partner"
"This is your house Moka you decide, but I would be lying if I didn't want to call him a mate as well as husband"
"Then he's our mate as well"
"You're still mistress of the house though" Akasha said "The decisions are yours"
"Thank you mother"
"Although I'd ask if I can take Tsukune to meet one of the other houses next month, just a visit not a stop-over"
Moka watched her mother for some time "You're getting as devious as the Chairman" she finally said
Akasha grinned "It's about time for the rumours of my existence to start. If I have a mate with me as well" her grin was not nice "Issa will eventually hear, the blow to his pride will be immense"
"Is Tsukune ready?"
"He's not as strong as he will be, but he'll outclasses the vampires he'll meet, that's ignoring his protective mothers"
"I'm ok with the visit, but I worry about his progress against magic"
"Then invite Fujiko, she's an offensive magic user. Let her try and break his shield" Akasha shook her head "She won't get near" she smiled at her daughter "Moka Tsukune could stand in a falling building and wouldn't get dusty, you could throw explosives at him and he wouldn't have a hair out of place"
"Issa, what about him"
"He's nowhere near as strong as Tsukune, Kahlua is closer" Akasha smiled "She won't attack Tsukune with her full power and she can't use Yoki like Tsukune."
"Show him off mother" Moka grinned "Introduce him to other aspects of our life"
oOoOo
The alarms sounded again as Akasha and Tsukune appeared in the room; this time the guards didn't attack but watched carefully. The boy was unknown but the girl looked like the woman who'd appeared before. They didn't want to go through that again.
"If you'd please wait I'll send someone for the mistress" one said
"Thank you" Akasha smiled
"Who shall I say has called?"
"The Hades Lady, Lady Bloodriver" Tsukune answered for her. The guards looked at him, he looked helpless but there was something that made the older guards very wary.
"And you are" the guard now addressed Tsukune
"My mate" Akasha replied. A young vampire scoffed and Akasha looked at him "You're new here; at least you weren't here last time I arrived. Tsukune I don't think you've had any practice this morning" she brushed his shoulders "Just bounce him around a bit, he'll get the idea" she moved to the wall to leave a space "With your permission of course" she addressed the questioning guard
"Please be my guest, they're always a little arrogant at first" he also smiled and everyone moved away.
.
"Why is it every time I come into this room I see someone bouncing off the walls" Gloria asked in a very loud voice "Although I have to admit they normally land at some time" she added as she watched
"I'm afraid the new guard took exception when I introduced Tsukune as my mate Gloria. Your guards thought it would be instructive. I also wanted to see how Tsukune's getting on with this new skill" Akasha answered
"Quite well it appears" she watched the guard hit the ceiling then the two opposing walls and finally dropped to the ground.
The youth in the middle of the room turned to Gloria with a smile "He's not hurt, just a little shaken" his mouth compressed a smile "Not stirred" Gloria's eyes hardened as the guard got up and attacked Tsukune again. He didn't appear to notice until he spun and backhanded the guard to dent the wall and fall unconscious on the floor "Now he's hurt"
"You're rather forgiving for a vampire Tsukune" Gloria suggested
"Could be because I'm not" his bigger grin revealed clean even teeth
"I think Gloria" Akasha suggested
"Of course Lady Akasha; if you and Tsukune would come this way"
.
"Just what is he" Gloria asked as she watched her own mate show Tsukune his collection of duelling pistols and swords
"That would be telling Gloria" she smiled over to Tsukune who glanced with a corresponding smile then returned his attention back to the sword he was holding. "But he will give me the most wonderful children in the future"
"Why wait"
"Well he needs to finish school first, he thinks that's best before children of his own" Akasha took a sip of her tea and watched Gloria
"Akasha you are devious but he can't be still in school, and where's his Rosario"
"He hasn't got a Rosario because it's not suitable, he uses a seal; and he is still at school; sweet sixteen" Akasha sighed and was looking at Tsukune again as Gloria dropped her cup at the disclosure of his age. It didn't land as Tsukune saw it and replaced it in her saucer with a small movement of his free hand. The contents suspended in the air returned to the cup.
Akasha glanced back to Gloria "Well done Tsukune. It must have slipped"
"Akasha" Gloria said with some asperity "If he's your mate where's his mark"
"Gloria he's not a vampire so he won't have one" she shook her head "Tsukune dear could you come and allow Gloria a little of your blood so she can believe you're not a vampire"
Tsukune carefully wiped the blade he'd been looking at and replaced it in the case. Taking off the cotton glove he walked over "I'm no vampire Gloria" he raised his cuff and showed her the seal there. Then he extended his arm with his wrist turned to her "I don't know how it's going to taste after tea"
Gloria's nose twitched at the scent, gorgeously like the best human then she took a bite and sighed, her eyes closed and she stopped breathing.
Akasha watching with Hubert, Gloria's mate, smiled and took a spoon stirred the teapot, then wafting the tea off stood and placed the now hot spoon on Gloria's neck.
"What" Gloria jumped, keeping hold of Tsukune's arm "What did you do that for Akasha" Gloria was angry and her eyes flashed
"You stopped breathing Gloria" Akasha said mildly
"Can you blame me" she still held Tsukune's arm and pulled. She blinked when she found herself standing Tsukune hadn't moved. His other arm came round her supporting her. "What are you" she looked into his eyes.
They got slowly closer and closer until they passed "Taken" he whispered in her ear.
Gloria slowly let go and sat again "Where were you when we split the houses" she looked at Akasha "We sisters could have done with another option" she grinned at Akasha as she also returned to her seat.
"It makes all those years with that idiot worth every despicable second" Akasha said
Gloria watched Tsukune's face as Akasha indirectly mentioned Issa. His jaw tightened and his eyes flamed. Suddenly there was an explosion of yoki quickly subdued. "Sorry" he rumbled and looked at his seal now shattered "Bugger"
She couldn't help it Gloria burst out laughing and shaking her head. She held out her hand for the remains "How many have you got through"
"Three or four" he handed it over
"Can you leave us please Hubert" she smiled at her mate and waited until the door closed. Then she set a zone within the room. "Akasha how in the worlds did you find a true human"
Akasha indicated Tsukune sit with her "Not to leave your lips" she waited until Gloria agreed "He was at the school, Moka and he got together on the first day, he can remove her seal; one of Mikogami's special humans to improve the chances of a few of the races. Short story he got bitten by a pure werewolf and then Moka in the space of a few seconds on a full moon"
"Why aren't you Moka's mate" she looked at Tsukune
"Who's to say I'm not" he answered
"But Akasha said you were her mate"
"What's a mate?" he looked at her "One of a pair in mating, or in today's society husband or partner"
"You're Head of House" she looked at Akasha at Tsukune's nod
"Moka is Mistress. That also stays secure"
"You're him" Gloria was shocked at the memory "The father of the witch"
"My daughter" he looked at Akasha "Our daughter"
"Issa's going to blow a gasket when the rumour reaches him that you're alive with a mate"
"I hope not" Tsukune controlled his anger but his voice changed again "I have things to say to him when we meet"
"I want to see that meeting" Gloria looked hopeful "It was a choice between Hubert and Issa at the end; I could have ended up with him. Hubert was the far better option even before he grew up" she smiled at Akasha "Do you remember him then, six years old and sweet as nectar"
"Oh yes I remember, I was reminded when I visited last, your young one's the spitting image" Akasha turned "Gloria was almost as strong as I was then, we were both young when we met, must be almost three thousand years ago. We've lived together on and off since then, and both of us grew in power" she sighed "I lost a sister and wife the day we had to split our house"
"Then perhaps I should call you Aunt Gloria" Gloria quickly looked at Tsukune, but he was sincere. She turned back to Akasha.
"Not a good idea Tsukune, in vampire society sisters like that share everything"
"I'm sorry for the offence Lady Gloria"
"I'm not, it was a genuine offer given freely with no ulterior motive. Under those conditions I'd be pleased if you would call me Aunt"
Tsukune rose and kissed her cheek "Thank you Aunt Gloria"