Moka was lying asleep beside him. He always liked looking at her when she slept. Lying there with her eyes closed, so at peace, she seemed like an angel. He very gently touched her cheek, careful not to wake her. She was so warm.

'Then stay with me Tsukune, forever.'

How he'd longed to hear those words. They had made him very happy, and they had scared him more than he'd expected. People talked about, 'forever' all the time. Made promises and used the word without a thought. It was just a way to try and show commitment. But when Moka used it she really meant it.

Forever.

He was thinking about his mom and dad, about Kyouko and Kurumu and Yukari and Mizore. Knowing he would outlive them all suddenly filled him with panic. He wanted to run home so he could tell his family how much he loved them. All he could think about was that long off day when they would leave him. It was an odd reaction to being told you were immortal, all he could think about was death.

He'd gotten used to being a vampire surprisingly well. He knew the idea of drinking blood would have disgusted him before. But since his change he couldn't think of the stuff without licking his lips. His enhanced strength, speed, and senses hadn't been a problem. He'd even adapted to all the scents around him, learning to block out what he didn't need the way a person would only focus on what they wanted to see.

The most difficult part of the transition had been the constant pointless fights. And he'd learned to deal with them.

Now though he was suddenly faced with the other side of being a vampire; the loss of his human life. He wasn't human anymore. With a rosario on he could easily pass for one. But what would he do when everyone he loved started to get older and he stayed twenty? What would he do if Kyouko had kids? Could he watch them be born, grow up, and die while he remained exactly the same? What would he do when everything changed? He tried to imagine living a thousand years ago, back before the shoguns unified Japan. What would it have been like to have been born into a feudal society and then seen everything you knew and believed in changed? If he lived to see the year 3,000 what would the world be like then? Flying cars? Space travel? Or maybe society would collapse as people believed. Whatever came what he knew now would be long gone. Eventually everything he loved would disappear. He looked at Moka sleeping peacefully beside him.

Except for her. She is the one thing that I love that can stay with me.

That thought brought him some comfort. He placed a warm kiss on her cheek and settled down to try and get some sleep. I love you Moka-san, and I want to be with you forever.

XXXXXXXXXX

In his apartments Lord Akashiya was seated with a large tumbler of brandy in his hand. Ria was standing in front of him looking anxious. He looked at his daughter and nodded. "All right, tell me what you think of this fellow. What sort of man is he?"

"Oh me, oh my, Tsukune is a gentle and dear boy with a very kind nature. He even feels sympathy for humans. He is absolutely devoted to Moka-san and worships her," her hand twitched just a bit. "In his eyes no one compares to her."

Lord Akashiya noted the slight motion. Knowing his daughter as well as he did he could guess the reason behind it. Oh ho! Well that explains her anger towards the boy.

"He is not all that intelligent," she continued. "But he does learn quickly. He seems a bit confused as to just what it means to be a vampire. And he knew nothing at all about this family."

"Moka didn't tell him?" He was mildly surprised. She had distanced herself from them but had not severed all ties.

"I think my little sister was afraid of scaring him off."

"Well, we can be scary at times. Especially to those I find troubling my children." He said. "So essentially this Tsukune is a very sweet natured and gentle soul?"

Ria nodded. "Yes, which means he absolutely does not fit into his family."

A fond expression touched his hard face. "I can understand why Moka likes him." He saw Ria's lips turn down a bit. "Well, how would you recommend I deal with him? Shall I rip off his head for even presuming to think he is worthy of being my daughter's mate?" If his daughter had taken this boy for a lover he would not have cared so long as she had kept him out of sight as Ria always did. Coming here though was a sign of serious intentions.

"You would never do that father."

He looked at her in surprise. She had seen him rip people apart for far less. "And why would I not?"

"Because if you did that Moka would never forgive you. And you would never risk losing your most beloved daughter."

He looked to his eldest and shook his weary head. "Are you still jealous of her? I want all my children to get along."

"Yes father."

He gave out an annoyed sigh. "You already have something in mind don't you? You always have a plan in mind."

"I do father, Moka thinks she is in love with him. But all it really is, is a crush. She is still nothing but a child, barely more mature than Kokoa. My guess is they wouldn't last more than a decade together, two at the very most."

He lifted a single thick eyebrow. "So your suggestion is I do nothing?"

"Oh me, oh my, but that wouldn't punish Tsukune for daring to involve himself with us. Or teach Moka just why he is so unworthy of joining the family. No, Tsukune must suffer for his arrogance. And Moka needs to be taught a lesson too. It's time she was put in her place."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Tell him you will grant him your blessing, but only if he can get your sword back from Fafnir."

Lord Akashiya suddenly stiffened in his seat. On reflex he crushed the glass in his hand sending shard flying and ripping open his palm. "I thought I told you to never mention that name again!"

She quickly dropped to her knees and bowed her head. "I beg forgiveness Lord Akashiya!"

He opened up his fist and picked out the broken pieces of glass. "Rise daughter, I must admit I never would have thought of that. You really want to see this boy suffer don't you? You must want it quite badly to risk saying that name in front of me."

"I am sorry father; I know how you feel about him. But do you not agree it is the perfect test? He will either die a horrible death ort he will run away like a coward. Either way he will be punished and Moka taught a valuable lesson about who should and should not join this family." She didn't bother mentioning the possibility he might actually succeed. They both knew it was impossible. If a vampire elder couldn't do it what chance did a new second born stand?

"Well I do admit that does solve the problem rather nicely," he said. He watched as the cuts in his hand started to close up. "Very well, that's what I'll do."

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning Moka was awoken with a sharp at the bedroom door. Seeing her darling was still asleep she decided to leave him be for awhile longer. She slipped on a robe and quickly answered the door. There before her was a goblin servant.

"Pardon mistress," the goblin bowed low to her. "Lord Akashiya is in the audience hall and he summons you and master Tsukune to attend him."

"My father is home? Did he just return?"

"No mistress he returned last night. Mistress Ria commanded no one be disturbed."

"I see," Moka answered tightly. Ria's already talked to him then and poured poison in his ear. This is not good.

She quickly woke Tsukune and told him to get dressed.

XXXXXXXXXX

The audience hall was a large dome in the heart of the castle. There was only one piece of furniture, a gilded chair located on a dais four steps high at the far end of the room. From the door way they were forced to cross the whole length of the vast room to reach it. It was, and was meant to be, and intimidating walk.

When the wide door s to the hall opened Moka and Tsukune entered hand in hand. She had warned him what to expect and how he needed to behave. They made the long walk at a slow and easy pace in silence, the only sound their feet striking the stone floor.

Sitting on his throne was her father dressed in his usual dark clothing. He eyed with his usual impenetrable gaze. His hands were steepled and he waited with ease.

Standing before him below the dais was Ria. On her face was an eager smile.

When they finally reached the dais Moka and Tsukune both fell to their knees and cast their faces down. "Greetings Lord Akashiya," they both said. Moka knew he was always lord first and only father after that.

"Both of you rise," he said and then stood up as well and held out his arms. "Come and embrace me Moka, it has been much too long."

She quickly climbed the steps and did as he asked her too, putting her arms around him lightly. He in turn embraced her warmly, genuinely pleased to have her home again. Ria stood there and watched how easily he showed affection for her sister. She squeezed her hands into fists.

After a long moment he released her. Moka eagerly let go of his and took a step back. "I am very happy to see you again my dear."

Moka nodded. "I would have been happy to have seen you last when you arrived father. In fact I would have preferred that had I only known you were here." She cast a glance to Ria. "I did ask to be told as soon as he arrived did I not?"

"Oh me, oh my, that's right you did! It simply must have slipped my mind."

The two sisters sent openly hostile looks to one another.

"Now, now, let's not fight," Lord Akashiya said. "I want my girls to be happy. That is what I have always wanted." And now he turned his full attention to Tsukune. "So, you are Moka's lover?"

"Yes Lord Akashiya," Tsukune answered politely. Moka had warned him not to lie about anything and to try and keep his answers as short as possible.

"He is indeed my lover and the most precious person in the whole world to me father," Moka said.

Lord Akashiya looked at her with that small grin he sometimes wore. "Obviously, or you would not have given him your blood and turned him. But my dear you are still so very young, in my eyes you are still but a child. Do you not think it a little too soon for this?"

"I am an adult father, and old enough to know who I love and who I want to be with always."

"Who will be your mate is my decisiondaughter, never forget that." He glanced over at Tsukune. "Tell me young man, has Moka ever told you about Neji?"

"No, Lord Akashiya."

"That has nothing to do with this," Moka said quickly. "He is here because I want him to be."

"Neji was one of Ria's lovers, a true born vampire from a good family." Lord Akashiya continued as if not hearing her. "He came here one day asking my blessing to marry her. Just arrived uninvited and unannounced and asked for an audience. He told me of his deep love for my daughter and asked me permission to marry her. Do you know what I said to him?"

"No, Lord Akashiya." Tsukune answered. Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like this story?

"I told him to be patient, that it was too soon and that I was not ready to give my blessing. At which point he told me he did not care what I thought. He intended to convince my daughter to marry him regardless."

Ria laughed. "He was always like that; his mouth was always a minute faster than his brain."

Lord Akashiya nodded. "Do you know what I did then Aono Tsukune?"

"No, Lord Akashiya."

"I tore off his arms, his legs, and finally his head. I am an elder vampire and I do not tolerate those who defy me. I decide what is best for this family, no other." He looked at Tsukune with those merciless eyes. "What would you say if I told you I refuse you permission to be my daughter's mate, not just for now but for always? What would you say?"

"Father! I…" Moka tried to interrupt but he raised a hand silencing her.

"I want to hear his answer Moka. Well boy? You who do not know what it means to be a vampire. You who question our ways and our values. You who come here to trying steal away my most precious child. What is your answer?"

Tsukune stood his ground and looked back into his cruel face. "My answer is that I want to be with Moka-san forever, and I won't let anyone keep me from being with her."

"So you mean to defy me?" He said in a dangerous tone.

Moka jumped in front of him and glared back at him. "Father if you lay one finger on him I will leave here and never return. I will never forgive you or see you ever again."

"What a disrespectful little bitch you are!" Ria snarled. "How dare you say that to father!"

"If he harms Tsukune he will not be my father anymore."

Lord Akashiya looked at Moka closely. "You are so much like your mother," he said quietly to her. He looked back down at Tsukune. "You say you love my daughter boy, what would you do to be with her?"

"Anything," he answered without hesitation. "I would do anything to be with her."

"Very well then, I give you a challenge Aono Tsukune. Retrieve my sword for me from the one who has it now. If you can do this I will grant you my blessing and embrace you as a son."

"Your sword?" Moka gasped. "Father you can't be serious!"

"I accept," Tsukune said. "If that's what I have to do to be with Moka then I will."

Lord Akashiya simply nodded his head while Moka looked horrified.

"Tsukune?" Ria asked in a sweet tone.

"Yes," he said warily.

"You just put yourself in check."