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 51

"That was smoothly done," The Board Chairman said to Lord Gray in a low voice. The girls' attention was all on the boy, teary eyed and relieved that he was awake. "What was that chain? I detected almost nothing at all from it."

"It was a placebo," Brone said. "The chain is little more then a party trick."

"Excuse me?"

"The chain was just something to get the girls' minds out of their rut," Brone explained. "That boy was in a balanced point in his recovery, and could go either way, but the girls were all so depressed that they were making themselves sick."

"Ahhhh" The Board Chairman exclaimed with understanding. "You were treating girls' depression."

"Right," Lord Gray nodded as the chain slithered across the floor at his gesture. "Tsukune needed a little motivation. By getting the girls worked up, they made enough fuss that it lifted the depression that was holding their Chi, their youki down." He tucked the chain into his sleeve absently as he talked. "Talking to unconscious patients has long been considered helpful. Once they were all arguing, Tsukune became aware of them. The boy just needed a little help to spur on his determination."

"Then what was that you were saying about it being dangerous?" The Board Chairman asked."

"You know as well as I that humans have the potential to be more destructive then any youkai. Our history proves that much." Brone looked towards the chatting students and blew out a sigh. "That boy has that limitless potential mixed with youkai blood. Those girls could be keeping company with a time bomb. I think that is more then dangerous enough to warrant a little caution." Lord Gray looked back at the Exorcist. "What now?"

"For now, we will investigate some questions that I have," The Board Chairman said. "Monday we'll go over what we know."

"Alright," Brone nodded.

"Oh," The Exorcist said with a thin smile. "Were you able to finish what I asked for?"

"I have the whole batch ready," Brone said with a chilly smile of his own. "Do you have my payment?"

"I do. I will have it delivered in the morning." The board Chairman turned towards the door. "Bring the one for the boy Monday," He said as he opened the door.

"I'll do that," Brone said, following the Board Chairman out of the room. Behind them the students bantered with happy voices.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Tsukune felt tired, in a contented sort of way. His injuries were healed and his friends were all safe. The Student Police had pulled together to help him when he needed it, and his friends had supported him when he rushed into danger. While he had gotten almost no studying done, it had been a good weekend. Unfortunately, every time Tsukune tried to get a little rest, his friends insisted on being helpful.

Tsukune understood what they were doing. A part of it was that they wanted him to know that they cared. Most of it was so they could make sure to their own satisfaction that he was truly alright and that he was not going to disappear fro their lives. Experience had shown him the way to get through the situation.

Tsukune started by asking Ruby to gather some clean clothes for him to wear. Mizore was asked to cook him something to supplement the hospital's food. He sent Yukari to collect a report from the Student Police, so he would know how everything had gone after he had been injured. From Moka, Tsukune asked to borrow her notes so he could try to study a little.

Kurumu was suddenly left alone in the room with Tsukune. She was wondering what she would be asked to do, but then realized that there was nothing left. She had been left alone and Tsukune was looking at her. Suddenly the fear and the guilt over what she had done to him started to rise up inside of her, and she felt sick over it.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said. "I…"

Kurumu felt herself starting to cry. She didn't want to hear what Tsukune had to say. She didn't want to hear him say he was upset that she had hurt him. On the edge of hysterics, she turned and started for the door. If she could just get out of the room she could pretend that her relationship with Tsukune could continue. If she could …

"Rumunoko."

Tsukune's voice stopped Kurumu in her tracks. Her entire body trembled when he spoke her True Name.

"That is what he called you," Tsukune said gently.

Kurumu nodded her head, crying quietly.

"He used magic to force you…"

"Please," Kurumu said. "Don't…"

"Kurumu," Tsukune continued. "I know what you are feeling. I know that you are frightened. I know you are feeling ashamed."

"Tsukune…"

"Please, Kurumu," Tsukune called to her. "Come talk to me."

Kurumu turned around slowly. He legs felt weak and her stomach was threatening to rebel. She kept her head down was she walked towards the bed. She didn't want to look Tsukune in the eye because she was afraid of what she would see.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said gently. "I am not upset with you. Please. Right now I just need to understand what happened. You don't have to tell me what you… what they… I need to know what happened to me. I know that sounds selfish. I'm sorry. But something happened and I need to understand what."

Kurumu felt a small measure of confidence returning. Tsukune was asking her for something, as a friend. He was not accusing her of anything. Slowly, she lifted her head to look at him.

Kurumu felt her heart leap in her chest. His handsome face was calm, and his beautiful brown eyes were filled with caring. She was suddenly aware of him again; the beating of his heart seamed to echo inside of her. She sat down on the edge of his bed and started to talk.

Kurumu told Tsukune about the mistake that had been made by the people that had tried to help him. She told all she knew about the strips of human skin that had been meant to be used in dark magic to turn her into a killing tool. She told him of how he had spent a day unconscious while his youki raged, trying to fight the dark magic that had infected him.

As she spoke, and Tsukune listened, Kurumu placed her hand on his chest. She could feel the beating of his heart, so much more calm and steady then her own. She was aware of the warmth of his body, and his sent in the air of the room. His handsome face, framed by dark hair, resting on the pillow. Finally, Kurumu explained the importance of her True Name.

Tsukune listened closely. Kurumu reminded him of how Succubi had been summoned and enslaved in the past. She told Tsukune about how the sorcerer intended to control her; had controlled her. Finally she told Tsukune that he could control her.

"You know my True Name now," Kurumu said. "As long as you know it, you can make me do anything you want." She fought back the urge to cry again.

"I wish I could forget it," Tsukune said. "If it is going to hurt you."

"I don't want you to forget it," Kurumu sniffed.

"I don't understand," Tsukune said honestly.

"I want you to know the true me," She slid her hand up his chest. "Tsukune," she took her other hand and reached for his, puling it up to cup her cheek. "I want you to know my True Name. I want to hear you speak my name." She leaned forward to touch his face. "Please…" She almost whispered.

"Ru…" Tsukune swallowed a sudden lump in her throat. He could somehow feel Kurumu's nervousness and excitement. "Rumunoko," He whispered

The sound of her True Name coming from the lips of her precious person gave Kurumu a thrill. The power that he held over her was total, but he only spoke her True Name because she asked it of him. He had power over her heart and soul.

Kurumu looked Tsukune in the eyes. His face was so close to hers. She licked her lips nervously, leaning closer to him.

"Master," Ruby called out as she opened the door.

Kurumu leapt away from Tsukune as if she was scalded. In a flash she was standing beside Tsukune's bed. Her face was red and her heart was racing. With the curtain pulled back, anybody at the doorway would have seen her. Kurumu's emotions were a storm within her.

"Ruby," Tsukune said as the witch came into the room. "I have asked you to only call me that in private."

"I'm sorry, Tsukune," Ruby said. She closed the door then crossed over to her master's bedside. She knelt beside the bed and bowed her head. "Please forgive me. But we have privacy now, Master. Perhaps you should punish me for forgetting your instructions, so I will do better in the future."

Kurumu thought her face was going to burst into flames. Her emotions were all over the place. To make things worse, Ruby was saying such things with the sent of lust coming from her.

With a heavy sigh Tsukune swung a back handed blow at Ruby. His hand only cuffed the top of her head, barely disturbing her hair.

"Don't forget again," Tsukune said in an almost flat tone.

Kurumu felt a stab of surprise and jealousy rush through her. That brief performance by Tsukune had sent a wave of lust/desire rolling off Ruby, and made her smile. Kurumu couldn't help but wonder wildly about what kind of relationship the two had. Kurumu looked at them, and realized that Tsukune was looking at her with serious eyes.

Tsukune was puzzled. Ever sense he had woken up, he had been keenly aware of Kurumu. At first he thought it was just because he had fought so hard to save his friend. Tsukune guessed that he was just preoccupied with wanting to be sure he had saved her, that she was truly safe and back with her friends. But he became conscious that his awareness was more then that. That was a part of the reason he had not sent her off on some errand.

Once Tsukune was alone with Kurumu, without the others to distract him, his awareness of her became clearer. Tsukune had noticed it when he had started talking to Kurumu. He noticed that he could feel her emotions. It was not the same as reading her facial expression or body language. Tsukune could tell what his friend was feeling almost like it was his own emotions. When they had started talking, Kurumu had been feeling scared and ashamed. Then she had relaxed and felt happy and relieved. In that moment, just before Ruby had arrived, Kurumu had been filled with desire, and a deep warmth that Tsukune could only define as love.

When Ruby arrived, Tsukune had been surprised, even startled. Kurumu had reacted with surprise as well. It reminded Tsukune of all the times he and Moka had been sharing a quiet moment, only to have someone walk in on them. His awareness of Kurumu'e emotions confused him then. She was angry and embarrassed. Tsukune could understand the feeling of embarrassment, and it was the strongest emotion running through his friend. But the anger was a surprise.

Tsukune had distracted himself, so he could clear his thoughts, by reminding Ruby to show more discretion. He was glad that his friend was back to normal, because it was a good sign that the chaos of the weekend was over. But the emotions in Kurumu surged again as he shared his exchange with Ruby. Tskune looked up at Kurumu as he considered the sharp spike of jealousy that had filled her.

Kurumu saw Tsukune looking at her, watching her. She was suddenly very aware of herself. She smoothed down her skirt and wished for a mirror so she could check her appearance. Having Tsukune looking at her so seriously made her nervous. She felt her face heating up with a blush, which just made everything worse.

"Tsu… Tsu… Tsukune…" Kurumu stuttered his name.

"Ahhh," Tsukune suddenly realized that he was practically staring at his friend. He turned his head away quickly and scratched his head. "Haa ha…" He laughed weakly."

Ruby watched the exchange with sharp eyes. She had not missed the details of the scene she had walked in on. The little succubus had been on the edge of kissing Tsukune. While the idea of other girls kissing her Master made Ruby jealous, she would accept anything that made her master happy… And Tsukune had not been resisting in the slightest.

Ruby could not help but wonder what had passed between the two while they had been alone. Some new connection appeared to have been made over the weekend, but what it might be was unclear. Tsukune seamed to be aware of the change as well.

"I should probably get dressed," Tsukune said at last, breaking the awkward silence in the room.

"I will help you Master," Ruby said at once. She set the bundle of clothes that she had been hugging to her chest on the bedside table.

"I want to help too?" Kurumu spoke up.

Her voice held a light tone, but it sounded a little forced to Ruby. Tsukune also caught the tone of Kurumu's voice. He considered her for a heartbeat.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said in a light tone of his own. "Could you help me sit up?"

"Hai!" Kurumu practically cheered.

What came next was a study in awkwardness. Tsukune felt awkward and clumsy because he knew he could get dressed by himself just fine, and felt self conscious about the bandages that were still wrapped around his body. When he asked Kurumu for help the succubus had lit up with happiness. Tsukune let himself play weak and unsteady so that Kurumu could feel that she was helping. A part of Tsukune felt kind of bad for the deception. Besides, helping Tsukune do things he could do himself was Ruby's roll and he was talking some of that away form her.

Ruby felt a flash of jealous irritation. Her Master was letting someone else help take care of him. It was not her place to protest her Master's decision. Ruby suppressed her irritation. She understood what Tsukune was doing, at least in part. Her lovable, wonderful Master was showing kindness to his friend who must still be feeling guilty about hurting him.

Kurumu felt a strange, giddy sort of sensation. Tsukune had asked her for help getting dressed. She knew he would get all shy and make her leave in a moment, but that would be later. But before that, she would be close to him. She had a chance to touch him, much in the way she had him touch her when he had bathed her back and wings. That intimate level of sharing was something Kurumu considered natural between a married couple, which is what she wished for. But Kurumu's wave of happiness was diminished as it crashed over shards of guilt. As she helped Tsukune sit up and remove his hospital shirt, Kurumu saw the bandages. The bandages that covered the injuries that she had caused. Injuries he had received because he had cared enough to come to her rescue.

When it came time for Kurumu to give Tsukune his privacy she left the room with a sense of relief. She needed a moment to get her feelings under control. It was clear that Tsukune was not holding it against her for what she had done to him. Kurumu was grateful for that, but she knew that it would take away the guilt she felt. She started pacing back and forth in the hallway, which was empty except for a pair of Student Police on watch.

Kurumu wanted some way to show Tsukune her appreciation. She wanted a way to apologize for what she had done and to make it up to him. She knew that he didn't need her to do anything. She needed to do something. Her conscious needed some way for her to show her gratitude and remorse over what had happened. The problem was that there was nothing she could do. Offering to take care of his home or to cook for him was no good because he had Ruby. Offering herself was no good because she had tried that many times and he had never accepted. Besides, that would make her happy and the point now was to find something to do for Tsukune. The truth was that he just didn't need her the way she needed him. Kurumu was slipping into a dark mood as she considered the problem. She was still working on it when the others started to return.

There was a small party in the hospital room before Tsukune was finally released Sunday Evening. Mizore served Tsukune a satisfying dinner. Yukari caught him up on how the Student Police were doing. Moka sat close beside Tsukune on the bed as they shared a study group. Kokoa came by for the company of her sister, but was welcomed by all. Tsukune accepted the good natured teasing and arguing with a smile. It was good to have his friends around.

Xxx xxxx xxx xxx

Kurono Ageha felt uncomfortable. She had been invited to the Board Chairman's office for a meeting. She had been expecting it to happen, but she wished she had a way to avoid it. The truth of her visit was quickly exposed. Because of her line of work it had been easy for Fairy Tail to track her down. The organization had wanted her to join them, along with others of similar abilities, to help Fairy Tail get more power and control in the criminal world. As a succubus, Ageha could seduce men with money and power who could be used by the organization. Ageha knew what they were asked was the same thing she did already. They just wanted to do it on a larger scale. Becaue of Kurumu's problems with Fairy Tail, Ageha wanted to stay away from them. She decided a good way to stay out of trouble was to simply leave town for a few days. A visit to see her daughter was a good excuse, and something she had been meaning to do for too long. All of this came out in her meeting with the Board Chairman.

Unfortunately, with Fairy Tail there could be no neutral parties. Fairy Tail counted everyone into one of three groups; allies, enemies, or prey. Because Ageha was not willing to be an ally or prey, she was forced to be their enemy. This put her in a difficult situation. But she was not without hope. Fairy Tail, the Board Chairman informed her, was a wide spread problem, but not as powerful as they liked outsiders to believe.

XXX XXXX XXXX

Once Tsukune had gotten back to his house from the hospital he was ready to put the chaos of the weekend out of his mind. While he was careful to look carefree in front of his friends, he was more honest once he reached the privacy of his house.

"Ruby," Tsukune said, taking off his shirt as he headed for his bedroom. "Ready the bath for me please."

"Yes Master," Ruby had answered. She was glad to be of service and always happy when Tsukune asked her to do things, no mater how trivial. She had the bath filled with clean hot water and was still setting out fresh towels when Tsukune walked into the bath room. He was dressed only in a pair of boxer shorts and his bandages. Ruby was surprised by the boldness the normally shy Tsukune was displaying. "Excuse me," She said with a bow and left the bath room.

Ruby hurried to her own room to remove her blouse and skirts. She was down to her panties and a modest slip when she returned to the hallway outside the bathroom. Once a week Tsukune had started to allow Ruby to wash his back, but every night she prepared herself for the task and offered her services.

"Ruby," Tsukune called from the bathroom just as she arrived at the door. "Please come here."

"Yes," Ruby was thrilled. She opened the door and saw Tsukune sitting on the stool with his back to the door and had a towel on his lap. She slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. "How may I serve you, Master?"

"You can start," Tsukune said with a noticeable edge to his voice. "By getting these bandages off of me. They itch."

Ruby was happy to be of service. She removed the bandages from his arms, torso, and neck. She saw the new scars that had been added to his body. Some were already reduced to thin white lines, while others were still angry and red. Tsukune gave a relieved sigh once the bandages were off. He enjoyed the job Ruby did scrubbing his back so much that he rewarded her by not protesting as her washing turned to caressing. When Ruby's attention to his body started to get a little too forward for his comfort, he carefully held to his towel and stood up.

"I am ready for the bath now," Tsukune said. His face and neck were red from the amount of attention Ruby had shown him.

Ruby enjoyed the way her Master was acting. She could tell by his blush that he was not as confident or as casual about the situation as he was acting. And the way he was protecting his modesty was cute. As he settled into the bath with a sigh she prepared to leave.

"Ruby," Tsukune spoke. "I need to ask you about something."

"Yes?" She stopped where she was. Tsukune wasn't dismissing her from the bath room. A part of her mind was marveling over the fact that she was being allowed to stay close in such an intimate setting. Her heart fluttered.

"You are smarter then I am about these things," Tsukune began. "I hope you can help me understand something."

"I will try, Master," Ruby knelt as close to the bathtub as she though she could get away with, steeling a peek at Tsukune's body in the water.

"What do you know about a 'True Name'," Tsukune asked her.

"In what sense?" Ruby asked.

"I was told that someone has a True Name. I wanted to understand what that meant."

"A True Name is a person's identity," Ruby began, choosing her words carefully so that what she had to say would make sense. "If you know a person's True Name… It is a way of Power," She explained. You can use someone's True Name to control them. You can use your own True Name to give yourself power as well. Naming Magic is very old and powerful."

"Who has a True Name?" Tsukune asked.

"Everybody," Ruby answered. "It is a part what makes us alive, instead of just being objects.

"I don't have a True Name," Tsukune protested.

"You do," Ruby told him. "You just have not discovered it. Most people never learn their True Name, and if they do, they keep it a secret because of the power someone would have over them if they learned it."

"Does using a True Name hurt?" Tsukune asked. "Does it change them in any way?"

"I am not sure," Ruby answered honestly. "It would depend on how it was used."

"If I knew your True Name," Tsukune speculated. "If I used it in private, how would you feel?"

"I would be very happy, Master," Ruby said, blushing. Her voice suddenly very soft and low.

"Could you explain why?"

"Be cause," Ruby folded her hands to her chest, holding them over her heart. "To know my True Name would be to know my inner most self. If you spoke it, my True Name, you would have absolute power over me, body and soul."

"If I knew your True Name… If I used it… Would it change anything? Would it do anything to me? Or would it do something to us?"

"Tsukune," Ruby almost moaned. The idea of being so totally under his control was enflaming her desire. "I… Ye… No," She managed at last. "If you use your own True Name in a vow you would be sealed to it. It could literally kill you to break that vow. But you would not be effected in any way by somebody else's True Name."

"I see," Tsukune Mused. "Thank you Ruby."

"Yes Master," Ruby bowed. "Excuse me." Ruby left the bathroom quietly, and returned to her own room. She didn't even bother removing her wet clothing before sinking to the floor in the middle of her room. The idea of Tsukune knowing her True Name, of him speaking it, excited her. The idea of being able to tell it to him, the ultimate act of submission, so that he would have such total control of her made her knees shake. Thinking about being so under her Master's control excited Ruby so much that she had to do something about it. Careful to keep her voice down so she would not disturb her Master, Ruby reached for her own flesh with trembling fingers