Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creators vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, then you should not read this.
Chapter 18
Tsukune woke up slowly. His head felt packed full of wool. It was heavy and his whole body felt week. While his mind struggled to clear his body didn't want to let go of sleep just yet. Awareness came in stages. He was comfortably warm, but the bed was too soft and the blankets were too heavy. As he worked his eyes open he saw an unfamiliar room with only a single candle for light. Before he could do anything, a heavy yawn escaped him and he had to stretch muscles that felt tight.
The unfamiliar sheets felt strange against his skin. He blinked at the ceiling a few times as that last thought processed. Tsukune lifted the sheets and saw that he was naked. He covered himself again quickly
"Tsukune," Ruby said, sounding a little breathless. "You're awake. Thank goodness." She hurried over to the bed and hugged him.
"Ruby, what's going on?" Tsukune said as he hugged her back.
"What is the last thing you remember?" She sat on the edge of the bed and laid her self on top of him, resting her hands and head on his chest.
"I was with you," Tsukune said, trying to think through a fog in his head. "We fell down and I hurt my back. You were crying so I held you." He blinked a few times, then looked at Ruby. "Did you kiss me?" Tsukune didn't need an answer because he saw her blush deeply in the candle light. "That was my first kiss." Even to his own ears it sounded as lame as it did in a manga. But it made Ruby as red as Moka's eyes.
"Ruby, was Moka here?" Tsukune tied to sit up, but was held in place Ruby's body.
"Yes," Ruby explained. "You hurt your back. When I kissed you…" She paused and looked away. "Your youki woke up. Somehow it was hurting you, because of your back. I sent for Moka. She had to drain your Youki, and we gave you something to help you sleep."
"This is your bed isn't it?" Tsukune lifted his head to look around. A sharp twinge in his back rewarded his efforts. "Ow."
"Tsukune," Ruby was worried.
"I'm alright," He lowered his head and closed his eyes.
Tsukune felt her cool hand on his forehead as she moved on the bed. He opened his eyes as she pressed her forehead to his, checking for a fever.
"Ruby," Tsukune asked in a gentle voice. "What happened to you?"
The witch sat up quickly. Tsukune knew what to look for now and could tell that she had a black eye that was swollen nearly shut. She had a scab over her right lip that looked painful too.
"It's nothing," She turned away and stood. She froze when Tsukune grabbed her wrist gently.
"Ruby, please tell me what happened."
"Moka came," Ruby said without facing him. "You were having some kind of fit because of what was going on inside of you and you knocked her seal off."
"Did I hit you too? I'm sorry."
"You only hit me once, and it was a small thing," She touched her lip with her free hand. "But After we put you to bed… When she put you to bed, Moka saw how messed up your clothes had become, and my lipstick was on you. I admitted to kissing you and…"
"Moka did this to you?" Tsukune asked, his voice pained.
"She was upset because you were hurting, and then she was full of your youki. It was just too much at once when she got angry."
"Ruby, I'm so sorry. I never…"
"That's right," She turned back to him. "You never. You never kissed me. You never invited me to your home. You never asked me to do anything. You never asked me to fall in love with you," Tears were running down her face. "You never asked me, but I did. I did visit your home. I did kiss you. I did fall in love with you." She sank to her knees beside the bed. "You never did anything wrong. And you save me again."
"What do you mean?" Tsukune let go of her wrist and struggled to sit up.
"No!' Ruby protested. "You need to rest. You hurt your back and you lost a lot of blood and Youki so we could get you into bed." She got up and sat on the edge of the bed again so she could put her hands on his shoulder. "Just lay back and I will take care of everything you need."
"I need to go to the toilet," Tsukune grumbled.
"I have a bottle from the hospital…"
"No that," Tsukune cut her off.
"Oh," Ruby said. "I will have to help you."
With Ruby's help Tsukune was able to get into a sitting position, but he stopped when he managed to swing his feet over the side of the bed.
"Are you too tired," Ruby asked.
"Where are my clothes?"
"They needed to be cleaned," Ruby explained. "And your shirt is stained so you can't wear it anymore."
"My underwear?" He asked.
"Dirty."
"A robe?" Tsukune nearly begged. "A towel?"
XXXxxxxXXx
"Would you like something to drink?" Ruby asked as she tucked Tsukune back into bed.
"I would like to know what is going on," Tsukune grumbled.
Tsukune had managed a trip to the toilet and then to the bath. In spite of his protests, Ruby refused to be more then a few feet from him at any time. The best he managed was to get her to stand outside the bathroom door where she could hear him if he fell down. Once he was safely under the blankets again he surrendered the towel that had been his dignity's shield.
Ruby sat at the foot of the bed and Tsukune noticed that her face was looking better. He felt some relief that she was healing quickly. But if she was healing that quickly he had to wonder how bad had she been hurt to begin with.
"Ruby," Tsukune asked. "How long was I sleeping?"
"About fourteen hours," She admitted.
"What?" Tsukune was alarmed. Not only had he missed a day of school and his other responsibilities, but because of how badly Ruby had to have been hurt.
"It's alright," Ruby tried to sooth him.
Tsukune just closed his eyes in frustration. He would have to wait until he had a chance to talk to Moka before he let himself get angry. He wished he could talk to Lord Brone also. The man had a relationship with a vampire that appeared to work. Tsukune would like all the help he could get.
"Tsukune," Ruby's voice was low. "Tsukune, do you hate me?"
"No," He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling. "I don't hate you. I'm just tired and upset that my friends are fighting." He sighed.
"Tsukune," She laid herself on his legs. "I…"
"It's alright, Ruby. It's alright."
Tsukune wasn't aware of falling asleep. The next thing he was aware of was that his eyes were closed and he could hear voices. He opened his eyes and looked around. The door was closed and the only light in the room was spilling in through the cracks around it. Tsukune managed to sit up with only a moderate amount of pain. He pulled a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around himself, toga-like and stood up. Tsukune still felt weak, but better then he had before. He carefully crossed the dark room and opened the door slowly.
Moka was sitting with Ruby, holding hands. The witch looked almost completely healed. Moka had lines under her eyes and looked wrung out. Sitting with them at the table was Yukari.
"Hello," Tsukune said, making everybody jump.
"Tsukune," Yukari practically leaped from her chair to hurry over to him.
Tsukune held out a hand to ward her off. He didn't think his back could take it right now.
"Tsukune?" Moka looked at him with questioning eyes.
"I'll be fine," He said. "How about you?"
"I was so worried," She said. "I'm so sorry." She stood and faced him.
"Sorry for what?" Yukari asked. She looked back and forth between the couple. "Somebody tell me what happened."
"Can I get you anything Tsukune?" Ruby asked.
"Clothes?" He said hopefully.
"I brought you some," Moka said.
"Thank you," He said with a crooked smile.
"I'll bring them to you," She hurried to where she had left her bag. She produced a tight bundle that was his tracksuit and carried over to him.
"Thank you," He accepted the bundle. He retreated to the bedroom to get dressed.
"I'll help you," Yukari volunteered. Tsukune just closed the door without answering.
Tsukune returned to the others feeling better not that he had some clothes. His back was sore and stiff so he was moving slowly as he crossed the room. As carefully as he could he pulled a chair over and sat close beside Moka
Ruby read the mood instantly.
"Yukari," She called to the younger witch. "Come to the kitchen and help me make some medicine for Tsukune."
"Alright."
"Moka," Tsukune said when they were alone in the room. "Will you tell me what happened? All of it?"
"I'm sorry, Tsukune," Her shoulders shook and her eyes welled up with tears. "I didn't ever want you to see that part of me."
"Moka," Tsukune said urgently in a low voice. "I don't remember what happened. Ruby told me some of it, but I need to understand why. What happened?"
"I don't remember it all," Moka sniffed. "I remember being scared because something was wrong. You were in pain. When the seal came off I remember seeing through the other Moka's eyes as she held you, but its hard, like trying to remember a dream. I know she got in to bed. After that all I can remember is noise. When I woke up I was back in my room and I had been crying. Ura-chan hasn't answered me all day. When you didn't show up for class… Tsukune I was scared."
"It's alright now," Tsukune held her close for a moment. "It's not your fault."
"B-b-but what if I did something…"
"It's going to be fine. Just take your time and calm down."
"Are you sure?" She sniffed.
"I'm sure."
"If you say so."
"Moka," Tsukune asked carefully "I would like to talk to your other self. Maybe she can answer my questions."
"Alright," She sniffed again.
Tsukune moved slowly as he removed the seal. The transformation was always a sight to behold. In the span of a heartbeat the unsealed Moka was beside Tsukune.
Inner Moka sat up strait in her chair and blinked a few times to get unshed tears out of her eyes. She then looked at Tsukune, studying him.
"Moka," Tsukune spoke calmly. "Are you alright?"
"Of cource," She tucked her silver hair behind her ear. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Than can you please tell me what happened last night?"
"You hurt you back…"
"That is not what I am talking about," Tsukune cut her off in a low voice. "You nearly killed Ruby."
"Tsukune, what makes you think I owe you any answers?"
"You're right," Tsukune said. He lay the seal on the table. "You don't owe me anything, and I can't make you do anything you do not want to do." He stood up from the table slowly.
"Where do you think you are going?" Moka demanded.
"I am going to thank Ruby for taking care of me," Tsukune explained. "Then I am going to go back to my room and get some rest."
"Sit down."
"Why?"
"You pledged yourself to me," Moka hissed as she stood up. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"It means that I love you," Tsukune growled. "I love you so much that I would lay down my life for you. It doesn't mater to me which side of you I am with, but if I have to give up my other friends I need to know now. Before I get them killed because I did something stupid to upset you."
"Damn you," Moka said with her jaw clenched. She reached out and grabbed the lapels of his tracksuit.
As soon as she touched him her muscles tightened. It was like grabbing a live wire. His youki was like a storm in a bottle. She was just a few feet from him but she had not been able to feel it. Now that she had made physical contact his power was impossible to miss. Moka felt a moment of fear as she remembered what had happened to him the night before.
"Tsukune, will you sit down so I can explain what happened?" She said.
"Yes," he relaxed visibly and his youki ebbed.
Moka repressed a sigh and seated herself. When she saw that Tsukune was calm and ready to listen she spoke.
"Tsukune," She struggled to begin. "To be a Vampire is to have a great deal of power. Because of our power, and how long we live, we always have to appear calm and calculating because we have to live with the consequences of our actions for a very long time. But we are still monsters. Youkai are primal creatures. When I saw you last night my only concern was how to help you. When I was able to get you calmed down so you could rest I put you to bed. Imagine how I felt. I was upset, scared, and I had been forced to drain most of your youki and a lot of blood from you so my own power was nearly out of control. And then I noticed your clothes. I could smell ruby all over you. You shirt was wet with tears and stained with makeup. Even your pants… And your mouth had lipstick all over it. Everything that I saw looked like you had been unfaithful to me."
"Moka I…" Tsukune started, but Moka held up a hand to cut him off.
"I trust you, Tsukune," She explained. "I don't always trust the women around you, but I do trust you. In my anger and jealousy I thought Ruby had tried to seduce you, to take you away from me. At first she tried to hide the truth from me, after I had already seen proof. After that I could only think the worst. You are mine, Tsukune. You are mine and I am ready to kill to keep you," Moka said with fire in her eyes. Her nostrils were flaring and her breathing was hard. "I would have killed her if you had not stopped me." Moka's face was flush and her eyes were welling up again.
"Some how, after we had drugged you to help you sleep," Moka continued. "You heard Ruby's crying out. You got up and came to me. You saved Ruby's life and quieted my anger." She reached out and grabbed a handful of Tsukune's hair. "You touch me so deeply that even in my rage I can still hear you." She let go of him and huffed.
"Ruby plead her case once I was calm enough to listen," Moka crossed her arms. "You are responsible for her from now on, Tsukune."
"What?"
"You saved her life, you were ready to oppose me when you couldn't even stand, in order to protect her. I cannot deny your connection to her." She reached for the seal.
"But Moka…"
"Hush you," She cuffed him lightly on the head. "Ask Ruby about her oath. My other self will explain to you why it is a good thing." She snapped the seal back into place.
Tsukune gapped as the Inner Moka effectively ran away. When she explained it, Tsukune could understand Inner Moka's feelings in a way. It was like when the commission squad leader had said the wrong thing and Tsukune had hit him. An instant of raw emotion overriding thought. The difference was that Tsukune grew up being taught that violence was wrong, and fighting should only be your defense when everything else had failed. Moka had been raised learning that power was meant to be used and that threats to power and position were challenges that had to be acknowledged and dealt with. Inner Moka was just being who she was raised to be, so Tsukune could not blame her. He wasn't happy about his friends fighting, or the Unsealed Moka being so ready to kill over a misunderstanding, but he loved so he could not do anything less then forgive her.
"Tsukune?" Moka looked up at him, her worried face framed by her pink hair.
"It's alright," Tsukune reached for her. "I understand what happened and all is forgiven."
"Are you sure?" She slipped in to his embrace.
"Yes," He bent forward to hold her close, without a single bit of pain. Tsukune smiled. His own temper was good for something after all. While he still felt tired, his pain was gone, and his body was healed. Even so, he did not want to push his luck. When he realized that Moka was nuzzling his neck he pushed her back.
"Tsukune…" She pouted.
"Please," He said with a weak smile. "Not today."
"Hmpf. Fine."
"Moka could you go and ask Ruby to come talk to me?" Tsukune said to her. "And keep Yukari busy for a while?"
Moka looked in to his eyes. She saw that they were filled with questions.
"Alright," She nodded.
Moka went into the kitchen. This brought a small shout from Yukari. A short time later Ruby came out. She sat down in the chair that Moka had just left.
"You wanted to talk to me?" Ruby asked apprehensively.
"I spoke to the other Moka," Tsukune said. "I understand why she did what she did, even if I don't approve, I still have to accept it. And I am sorry this happened to you."
"Thank you," Ruby bowed her head for a moment.
"I was also told that you swore an oath," Tsukune saw Ruby's shoulders go stiff at his words. "Would you tell me what she was talking about?"
"I told her the truth," Ruby said without looking up. "I told her what I did and why I did it. I told her what I wanted to do, and why I still want to do it. Tsukune," Ruby took a deep breath that sounded like she was on the edge of crying. "I love you!" Ruby said in a harsh whisper. "I love you and I cannot stand to be apart from you." She slowly slid out of her chair and down to her knees. She reached out and embraced Tsukune's legs and lay her head on his lap. "Tsukune," Her voice rose in volume slowly as she spoke. "I love you. You saved me before. Last night you saved my life. You are my reason for everything, Tsukune. I love you. I made an oath to you and Moka both. I swear my life to you, Tsukune. "I swear my life to you!" Ruby wailed ash she cried into Tsukune's lap.
"It's alright," Tsukune soothed as he stroked her hair. "You don't have to do that," He wanted her to calm down and see that she was still his friend no mater what.
"I want to," She sniffed. "Tsukune I want be with you. I want to dedicate my life to you. Moka has your heart, but please let me have this! Let me be your slave!" Ruby begged through her tears.
"Ruby," Tsukune was at a loss. "Ruby?" He looked around for some clue of what to do. He saw Moka and Yukari in the doorway to the kitchen.
Moka was holding a pot of tea. Yukari held the tea service on a try with the cups. The little witch looked almost as confused as Tsukune felt. Moka looked shocked, with tears about to fall from her eyes. Tsukune looked at her pleadingly. Moka nodded tightly.
"Say yes," She said softly.
"Are you sure?" Tsukune asked.
"Yes," Ruby begged. "Please."
Moka nodded again.
"Ahh," Tsukune choked. "Alright."
"Really?" The witch sniffed, her crying lessened and she looked up with a face filled with hope.
"Yes," Tsukune tried to smile while his stomach squirmed.
"Yes!" Ruby buried her face in his lap again, crying happily this time.