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 19

Tsukune lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling, and reflected on Moka's words. Sealed Moka had reminded Tsukune that Vampires set a high importance on the icons of power and authority. Being well educated and from a good family was nice, but being aggressive and dominating was better. Have a sworn servant was just the kind of symbol of authority that looked good. If someone swore to serve of their own free will, then they acknowledged that the person they had sworn to had power over them. Because Ruby was an accomplished witch she had more weight as a symbol then a weaker youkai, or a regular human would represent.

The good news for Moka was that Tsukune, who was sworn to her, now looked more powerful, more important. That in turn suggested that Moka was more powerful. The good news for Tsukune was what by gaining the icons of power he would be more acceptable to members of Vampire society, like Moka's parents. Inner Moka had been grudging in acknowledging Ruby's attachment to Tsukune. Outer Moka hid it better, but was also feeling put out about the situation.

Upon hearing Moka's explanation Ruby had immediately started talking about how she was ready to help Tsukune move into her rooms. He could have the bed and she would sleep on the floor. Tsukune and Moka had both opposed the idea. While the vampire was against it for emotional reasons Tsukune made a better argument. He already had a strange reputation because of all of his female friends. He didn't like what people would think and say about Ruby if they found out that they were sharing rooms. Ruby gave in, looking unhappy.

Tsukune lay on his bed waiting for sleep to come as he thought about how complicated his life was becoming. He just wanted to survive his time in school and spend time having fun with friends. Sleeps embrace claimed him when he wasn't looking and carried into dreams of political campaigns and deal making.

XXXXXX

'You seam to be taking this well,' Moka chided her inner self.

'Why shouldn't I be?' Her inner voice answered. 'Tsukune is showing himself to be worth having close. '

'I don't understand you. You nearly killed Ruby out of jealousy, but now you are fine with her being close to Tsukune?'

'I trust Tsukune.'

'So do I, but that is not the point.'

'You are so thick!' Inner Moka growled in frustration. 'Tsukune let himself get hurt protecting Ruby from a fall. He shows loyalty and kindness. We like that about him.'

'I know that…'

'Don't talk, just listen,' She cut the outer Moka off. 'Even after any lesser man would have been laid low from being drained, and being drugged on top of that, he found the strength and determination to come to the aid of a friend. That takes the kind of power that most people lack. That took the kind of power he will need to survive in even the worse situations.'

"But that doesn't…'

'The next day, still weak as a child, he was ready to stand up to me. To me, not you. He never questioned my authority over him, and he was willing to sacrifice everything if I asked him to, but he was still willing to face me directly. There was absolutely no weakness in his eyes, in his heart. And when I felt his youki…'

Outer Moka felt a wave of feelings from her inner self that made her blush and her mouth water at the same time.

'Now he has a servant,' Inner Moka explained. 'Tsukune, who is pledged to us, stands higher now that he has that witch at his feet. He elevates us. And as for that witch,' Inner Moka snarled. 'She has learned her place. We can take Tsukune in front of her and she will not protest. I could take all that Tsukune has to give, leaving him weakened and helpless and that witch will embrace him and tend to him, nursing him back to health so that I could take him again, and she would be happy to be so important to Tsukune.'

'You're horrable!'

'I am just being honest,' She sniffed.

'But what about Tsukune's feelings for Ruby, and hers for him?'

'If the next time Tsukune aids us in a fight I reward him with a kiss, would you be angry?'

'A kiss! But, but,' Moka felt flustered. Finally she sighed in resignation. 'No,' She admitted. 'But I wouldn't have to be happy about it.'

'And if Ruby were to aid Tsukune, maybe even save his life for us? Shouldn't she be rewarded?'

"What?" Moka exclaimed aloud.

'I trust Tsukune,' Inner Moka said. 'But the next time I get him alone I am going to make sure he knows where he stands.'

'Why should I ever let you be alone with him again?' Moka fumed. 'Answer me… Well?'

Moka went to bed with a sour feeling in her stomach. Her other self was giving her the silent treatment

XXXXXX

Tsukune dragged himself through the his classes. In his mind it was the longest Wednesday ever. He had a hard time focusing and his entire body felt heavy. When Ruby, as healthy as ever, showed up at lunch with a bento for him Tsukune smiled and ate every bite. Moka had frowned over it, and Kurumu had protested loudly. Tsukune, feeling tired, and more then a little irritable, snapped at her.

"Kurumu!" Tsukune had said sharply. "I am glad she was so thoughtful. As my friend you should be to."

That had ended the outburst, but the Succubus was still upset, and let it show on her face and in the way she carried herself. For the rest of the day Kurumu was so sweet to him that Tsukune thought he would get cavities.

XXXXXXX

Moka sat in the club room with her friends as they tossed ideas around for the next edition of the paper. She kept looked at Tsukune's empty seat, wishing he didn't have his Election Committee meeting. She had wanted to join the committee with him, but he had pointed out that the Newspaper Club was too small to be able to do without both of them for a month. While she agreed with his reasoning, Moka missed Tsukune's presence.

XXXXXXX

When Tsukune finally finished his committee meeting he discovered Ruby waiting for him.

"Hello Ruby," Tsukune said in a tired voice. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," She said looking around to see that nobody was lingering in the area. "May I carry your bag, Aono-Sama?" She asked, blushing.

Tsukune jumped back in shock. He didn't know what to say. Fortunately Ruby knew what she wanted to say, and how she wanted to say it. She grabbed Tsukune's bag from his hand and hugged it to her chest.

"Tsukune," She said, blushing. "I know how modest you are, and how kind and loyal. I will do my best to never cause you embarrassment. Let me walk you back to your room. Everybody knows you missed a day of school, and you still look tired. Nobody will thin it strange if I am just checking up on you."

Tsukune couldn't find fault with her reasoning. He wasn't sure if it was because her argument was sound or if his mind was just that tired. He sighed and nodded his head.

She followed him behind his left shoulder all the way back to his room. Once she reached his door she hurried him in and closed and locked the door, to keep the world out. Before he could think of a protest, Tsukune found himself seated at his table as Ruby served dinner. He ate the food without talking as he tried to get his thoughts in order. He managed to get his mind working again while Ruby finished cleaning up.

"What is going on, Ruby?" He asked.

"Can I be honest with you?" Ruby asked without turning around.

"I wish you would," He said.

"I don't want you to think badly of me."

"Ruby. Just talk to me."

"Tsukune," She said as she stood over the dishes drying in the sink rack. "I want you. I want you as much as you want Moka."

"Ruby…"

"Just listen," Ruby interrupted him. "I want you, but you don't need me. Not like Moka needs you. You don't need my blood to keep you healthy and strong. You don't need my company to keep you from being alone. I don't have anything that you need so you have no reason to keep me close. But I need you." She turned around at last and her eyes were red and full of tears. She crossed the room and knelt in front of Tsukune. "I need to be with you because you see something in my that I don't. Every time I see you smile at me I feel so special. But I'm not special. Without you I am lonely and weak. All I can do is go through each day doing what needs to be done, because there isn't anything else. But some how, Tsukune, you make life worth living and I need you. Because without you I will shrivel up and die."

"Ruby…" Tsukune was at a loss.

"Tsukune, I almost died because I kissed you. I would rather be dead then to live without you."

"Don't say that," Tsukune protested.

"Don't you see? You are the only person that cares about me."

"What about our other friends?" Tsukune argued. "They care about you to."

"Tsukune, they care about me because you do," Ruby said. "They care about me because you made them see me as someone special, as someone worth caring about."

"Ruby…" Tsukune felt horrible. His friend was hurting and he couldn't say anything that could help her.

"That is why I am begging you," Ruby bowed forward on her knees, until her face was nearly on the floor. "Aono Tsukune Sama, please let me have this little piece of you. Let me be your servant. Please, Aono Tsukune Sama, be my master and take care of me so I will not be alone."

Tsukune looked at his friend as she prostrated herself before him. He felt cold as he understood her desperation. He could argue against what she wanted, calling her his friend and tell her that everything would be fine if they went on as before, but he knew that it would only hurt her. He thought about all the things that he had gone through with Moka, and all that she had taught him about being strong. Tsukune recognized that he had a choice. He could reject Ruby, and he would lose her as a friend, or he could accept her and she would love him for it.

Tsukune realized that it was his own weakness that kept him from answering right away. He had accepted Moka, vampire side and all, even when he was afraid of her. Even before he had fallen in love with her. Now he was afraid of his own strength. Accepting Ruby would mean he would have to accept that he had changed. Tsukune had to accept that he would never be the simple school boy he had been in the past. The moment he had chosen to stay at Youkai Academy Tsukune had chosen his own path in life and now he had to accept the consequences of his choice. If he wanted to be a part of Moka's world he had to accept the truth about himself. He had to accept Ruby.

"Toujou Ruby," Tsukune said, feeling a sense of calm after making his decision. "I accept you as my servant and grant you my protection." He placed his hand on her head. "I only hope that you will not be disappointed in me," He said gently. "I have never thought of this before and I have much to learn about being a master worthy of your service and devotion."

"Do you mean it?" Ruby looked up from the floor, looking a lot like a scared cat.

Suddenly Tsukune remembered his conversation with Sakura, Lord Brone's retainer. The cat woman had explained that she had needed her lord to show her that she had something special to offer. It was by serving her master that she found self worth and a reason to be more then just a wild thing trying to survive.

"Yes, Ruby," Tsukune smiled warmly. "I accept you."

"Yes!" She cheered as she scrambled forward. "Thank you Master!" She threw herself at Tsukune to embrace him.

"Ack!' Tsukune went down under her weight. "Ruby!"

XXXXXXX

Still recovering from Monday, and his emotional roller coaster ride of the last few days, Tsukune woke up tired. After accepting Ruby into his service they had talked for a long time, setting some limits. While he had told Ruby what not to do, Tsukune knew he would have to give her something to do for him. There would be no point in saying he accepted her if he didn't demonstrate it in some way. Tsukune worked at the problem as he got ready for school.

XxxxxxxxxxX

The Student Council candidates had launched their campaigns. Signs, fliers, and posters were blossoming all around the school like wild flowers. Most were just colorful paper with splashy writing asking for votes. Tsukune was glad that the Election Committee had set some guidelines for campaigning. Of course some people, or youkai, saw rules and laws as a challenge.

One candidate for council treasurer was a second year boy that had decided to decorate his posters with swimsuit idols. The class officers pulled down his campaign signs and the Election committee issued a warning. When he tried using naked anime idols he was dropped from the ballot.

Two presidential candidates had to be warned about buying votes with free lunches. One candidate ,for the position of representing the third year students, had his friends pulling down posters for the competition. Banners became the next problem.

Candidates realized that there was no restriction on the size of their campaign signs. If a banner took up an entire wall then it blocked any other signs from being posted there. Banners hung on the outside of school quickly became distracting, creating such visual pollution that the Board Chairman ordered them taken down.

Tsukune had no idea how much he would have to deal with in the coming weeks as he made his way to class Thursday morning. He had enough to in his life just dealing with his friends to keep him from borrowing trouble from the future. As he made his way to class Kurumu and Moka were being additionally clingy. Yukari was also trying to hold on to Tsukune, which threatened to trip him. Mizore walked close to Tsukune, and appeared content to just be where she could see him.

At lunch Tsukune was presented with an old problem in a new way. Mizzore, and Kurumu had each packed a bento for him while Moka had a large bento that she wanted to share. It was the old battle to see who Tsukune would pick. Moka had made a lunch full of dark green vegetables, good for iron. Kurumu had made sweet rice with pork dumplings, and small fruit tarts. Kurumu presented a bento with a portion of steamed rice surrounded by strips of grilled beef.. Tsukune's stomach growled and his moth watered as the girls set the bentos out on the table.

Tsukune sat close beside Moka, giving her a smile that she shared. He politely sampled from Kurumu's and Mizore's bentos as he shared Moka's lunch. Tsukune carefully ate a little less then a third of Moka's bento. He then sampled from Kurumu's lunch while finishing off Mizore's offering. He did eat the fruit tarts for desert. All of the food was good and Tsukune thanked each cook. Honesly, Tsukune would have liked more of Moka's lunch, but if he took to much she would be left hungry, and Yukari kept filtching from the vampire's lunch box.

XXXXXXXXXX

The energy Tsukune had gained from his delicious lunch was all gone before he reached his dorm room. After school Tsukune had attended the Festival Committee meeting. The committee had spend hours discussing the planning for the school festival. They were starting the process deciding what attractions would be allowed, and where they should be set up. Soon applications would be coming in from the many classes and clubs, and too much repetition would just look bad. Tsukune found the talking in circles and nit-picking at details to be taxing. He was glad when the meeting was over.

Tsukune knew something was off before he opened the door to his room. When he first entered, everything looked to be how he had left it. It was the smell that told him what was out of place. It was the smell of cooking. Even before he looked, he knew what he would find. He confirmed his guess by looking into his kitchenette and finding Ruby working away.

"Welcome Home Tsukune-Sama," Ruby smiled and gave a quick bow of her head. "Your dinner will be ready soon."

Tukune suppressed his frustrated sighs or usual protests. This was a part of the price he had to pay. As he hung up his uniform blazer he remembered the old stories that kids would tell. Ecchi school-boy fantasies about saving a pretty girl's life so that she would have to serve him. He grinned at the stray thought and shook his head at the naivety of it.

Tsukune remembered joking with his friends and what they would say they would do with a slave girl. Young boys' ideas of fun seamed so silly to him now. Things like 'make her clean my room,' or 'make her do my homework' sounded like good ideas when he was eight years old. Tsukune looked at Ruby as he remembered some of the wilder ideas his friends had liked. Lap pillows and being hand fed were things that young boys imagined as exciting romance; Until they got their hands on ecchi mangas. He wondered what his friends would say if they knew he had a slave girl now. Hi imagined himself with his friends, showing them pictures.

"These are my girlfriends," He would proudly show them pictures of the two Moka's. "Yes, they are sister. The one with the blue hair is my concubine. The one with black hair? Oh she is my servant." Tsukune imagined the jealousy and anger on his friends' faces and smiled. Of course he would never do that. Outer Moka would probably be hurt if he talked about her so callously, and Inner Moka would hurt him for calling her his girlfriend. On the other hand Ruby would probably be very happy if Tsukune publicly claimed her as his property. He watched her cook, and felt an idea forming in his mind.

Tsukune sat at his desk and worked on his school assignments until dinner was ready. When Ruby had the table set and the food laid out she called Tsukune to come and eat. He stood and went to the table and looked at how it was arranged. The food was laid out so it was all in reach of a single position, and service was set for only a single diner. Tsukune gave a nod of approval. Next, hoping he didn't blush too much, Tsukune embraced the idea that had blossomed from the seeds planted in childhood.

"Ruby," Tsukune said in what he hoped was a firm voice. "Kneel there," He pointed to a place next to the one she had prepared for him at the table. "And face me."

Ruby smiled at being ordered by Tsukune and did as she was told. She had the table at her right side and would be facing Tsukune's right side as he faced the table. She watched Tsukune go to the kitchenette to wash up before eating. He then seated himself at the table, not looking at Ruby, but at the food she had prepared.

"It looks good," Tsukune said. "You may s-serve me."

Ruby poured a cup of tea then filled his plate, but was puzzled when he just sat with his hands in his lap.

Tsukune felt ridiculous. He sat looking at the food, and felt his stomach demanding to be fed. He couldn't find it in himself to give a silly order so he settled on giving Ruby a clue. If she didn't catch it he would just feed himself after all. He looked at Ruby, then looked down at the chopsticks. He looked back at her, then strait ahead. He counted down from three slowly in his mind, more then half hoping she wouldn't catch on. By 'Two' she did.

Ruby watched Tsukune and felt confused. He had looked at her then down at the chopsticks then back at her like he expected something. It clicked into place. Ruby had to suppress a happy giggle, because that would ruin the atmosphere. She did allow herself a broad smile as she picked up the chopsticks. Very carefully she fed Tsukune dinner. One bite at a time. She watched his eyes for cues on what to present him with. She held the cup for him to drink, and touched his lips with the napkin for him.

While nowhere near as exciting as the things she dreamed about, Ruby was being totally subservient to Tsukune. While serving him she saw the blush in his cheeks and the tension in his hands press firmly against his lap. Poor Tsukune was so modest, and so determined to be able to take care of himself, he was making himself accept such simple service, and Ruby knew he was doing it for her. She felt her heart flutter as he let her serve him.

After dinner Tsukune returned to his desk and finished his assignments while Ruby cleaned up. When she was done she knelt in the middle of the room and just waited, watching him study. Once, he asked for a cup of water. When he was done he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head.

"Ahhh," He sighed. He stood and stepped over to Ruby.

Ruby looked up at Tsukune was a small smile that she reserved just for him. He lowered himself to the floor a short distance in front of her, but with his back to her. Ruby wondered what he was up to, until he leaned back and placed his head in her lap. It was a close and vulnerable position for him to place himself in. His eyes were closed and he breathed slow and deep for a moment. Ruby blushed at how close Tsukune was being to her.

"This is nice," Tsukune observed. He looked up at Ruby. "I could get used to this."

"I'm glad," Ruby said softly.