Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rosario Vampire. I am merely twisting the creator's vision into my own dream. If the supernatural, sexuality, or violence is offensive to you, then you should not read this.

Chapter 66

Ruby was feeling more then a little frustrated. She was so happy to be accepted by Tsukune's family, being allowed to remain close to him. She thought that Tsukune would be a little agitated by her being able to sleep in his room, or just maybe he would be happy to have her close. She had not expected Tsukune to respond in such a dominating way.

At supper with his family (that thought alone almost made Ruby giddy,) Tsukune had shown her the same warmth and consideration as he had his cousin. Ruby had even been included in the good natured teasing that the cousins had shared. After supper, Ruby had bathed with Kyouko. Tsukune's cousin had teased and questioned Ruby with as much attantion as she used to wash her back. Ruby responded modestly, hinting at things she wanted to do with enough detail to make Kyouko blush.

"So, Ruby," Kyouko asked with exaggerated casualness as the pair relaxed in the bath tub. "Has my innocent cousin kissed anybody yet?"

"Oh my, yes," Ruby smiled brightly.

"What?" Kyouko's eyes went wide. "Really?"

"I was his first kiss," Ruby said, enjoying the other young woman's reaction. "It was during a moment of weakness, I am sorry to admit, but I took his first kiss."

"Wha... How could..."

"Moka was very upset with me," Ruby explained.

"Isn't Moka the girl Tsukkie likes?" Kyouko asked.

"Yes," Ruby nodded. "She would have killed me, if Tsukune had not come to my defense."

"Oh my... But if you are here," Kyouko questioned. "Did she and Tsukkie break up?"

"No," Ruby shook her head. "She and Tsukune are closer then ever. The day they kissed Tsukune was so happy that he wrestled me to the floor and held me down as he toled me about it."

"Tsukune?" Kyouko gasped in disbelief.

"Oh you should have been there," Ruby continued her teasing. "The first time Tsukune kissed Mizore. He was so sweet and gentle. Moka and I had tears in out eyes. It was so romantic."

Kyouko gaped like a fish, unable to find her voice.

"He has become a very good kisser," Ruby smiled.

"You... you..."

Ruby quickly climbed out of the bath. She had a towel around herself before Kyouko could get her feet under her.

"We should probably let Tsukune have the bathroom now," Ruby said innocently. "I wonder if he will let me wash his back tonight."

"You..." Kyouko stumbled out of the bath.

Ruby offered her a towel, smiling. Kyouko came up short, confused by the way Ruby was acting. She glared at the witch as she accepted the towel.

XxxXXXXXXX

Tsukune was relaxing in his room when Ruby entered, smiling mischievously. Kyouko followed with a look on her face that made Tsukune's back itch nervously. He recognized the look she shot him as the one that usually meant that she was going to try to impose her will upon him as she made another bad decision.

"Tsukkie," Kyouko said sweetly. "I need to talk to you."

"Alright," Tsukune set his manga aside and sit up on his bed. He turned and put his feet on the floor. "What's going on?"

"Alone," Kyouko said.

"Excuse me?"

"I need to speak to you alone," She shot a glance at Ruby.

"Ruby?" Tsukune turned towards her. "What is going on?"

"We were just having a little chat," Ruby said.

"She said that she kissed you," Kyouko said. "And that you kissed two other girls as well. Tsukkie, you would never do something like that."

"Ruby," Tsukune said. "Please do not go talking about my personal life."

"You are just going to cause Tsukkie trouble if you spread rumors," Kyouko said to Ruby before turning back to Tsukune. "I don't know what you..."

"And if you must tell somebody," Tsukune cut off his cousin. "Please don't do it to antagonize them."

"I'm sorry, Tsukune," Ruby's smile wilted.

"Well you should..." Kyouko tried speaking again.

"Excuse me," Tsukune said, cutting of Kyouko again. "What did you say?"

"I'm sorry," Ruby bowed her head.

"You're sorry... what?" Tsukune prompted.

Ruby felt a thrill run through her. She realized what Tsukune was expecting her to say. It was a struggle for her to act properly subservient and remorseful when she felt like smiling.

"I beg your forgiveness," Ruby said, bowing deeply. "Master."

"What?" Kyouko's voice came out as a squeek. Her eyes were wide with shock. "Tsukkie?"

"It's complicated," Tsukune said. "I am responsible for Ruby."

"Master saved my life," Ruby explained. "He saved me and gave me hope, so I have sworn to be his slave for the rest of my life."

"What? When?" Kyouko felt the world tilting and spinning out of her control.

"It happened in October," Tsukune said.

"I had a choice," Ruby said. "I could swear to serve him, or I could remove myself from his sight forever."

"But Tsukkie," Kyouko protested. "You didn't have to agree to this."

"Yes I did," Tsukune said.

"But why?"

"Because if I had refused her," Tsukune said. "It would have destroyed Ruby. She is my friend and is important to me. I couldn't just turn her away when she needed me most."

"But what about Moka? Isn't she the girl you like?"

"It was her idea," Tsukune said.

"She insisted on it," Ruby explained. "It was by punishment for kissing Tsukune."

"What?"

"Kyouko," Tsukune said. "You know about my school, and the kind of people that go their. Because of the way some of them have been raised, it is necessary to appear strong to keep safe. If someone is not strong enough to protect themselves, then they need someone stronger to help them. By swearing to me, Ruby gains my protection. Because she is sworn to me, it makes me appear stronger, so others will try to avoid upsetting me, or challenging me."

"I see," Kyouko said, nodding slowly. It made sense, in a disturbing way, she had to admit. Kyouko didn't think of her cousin as being especially strong, even though he was growing up nicely, so having someone pretend to be his servant would make him safer. Kyouko looked from her cousin to his friend, then she gave herself a shake.

"That doesn't change the fact that you are kissing girls at school," Kyouko accused her cousin, trying to regain some moral high ground as his nominal elder.

"So what?" Tsukune questioned. He loved his cousin, she was family, and had been his companion and friend for much of his life, but her overbearing attitude had gotten him in to trouble plenty of times. He also didn't think the she, living her quiet normal life with no understanding of what he had been through in the last year, was in any position to question his actions. To the best of his knowledge, she had never even had a serious boyfriend.

"So what?" Kyouko was stunned by her cousin's attitude. "Tsukkie, are you kissing two girls?"

"No," Tsukune said.

"Oh good..."

"I only kissed Yukari because it was White Day," Tsukune said.

"What?" Ruby and Kyouko said at the same time.

"Mizore is usually the one kissing me," Tsukune said calmly. "And I only kissed Kurumu three times. Moka is my girlfriend, so she and I kiss when we can find a private moment." It gave Tsukune a thrill to so openly claim Moka as his girlfriend. "And Ruby is my servant, so if I want to kiss her, or spank her, then it is nobody's concern but my own."

Ruby felt flush with excitement. Tsukune was speaking so confidently. He was declaring his mastery over her to his cousin without even blushing.

"You're too young to be kissing anybody," Kyouko demanded when she could finally get her words to come out.

"He is more then old enough," Ruby said.

"You stay out of this," Kyouko insisted. "Besides, it's not like Tsukune would know what a real kiss was."

"Oh good grief," Tsukune sighed in frustration. He stood up, looming over his cousin. "Kyouko, I know that you care about me, but you don't understand what has been happening in my life. I have had to grow up a lot in the past year. I have had to fight to protect my friends from bullies, criminals, rapist, and things out of horror stories. I had to organize the school's first ever student council election, and keep it honest. I had to build a student police force from nothing that could keep youkai from breaking school rules, without turning it into another gang of bullies."

"The head of my school tells me that if I don't do every little chore he throws my way," Tsukune continued, a lot of bottled up frustration coming out. "Then I'll be expelled. I wouldn't be allowed to see my friends anymore. On top of that, the person most precious to me, a vampire, can't even hold my hand in public unless I measure up to the level of social acceptability of a minor noble, at least. Meanwhile, her little sister ether wants to kill me, or drink my blood."

"Tsukkie," Kyouko breathed. "I'm sorry." Her eyes were wide. "I didn't know."

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this way," Tsukune said. He blew out a tense lung full of air, trying to calm down a little. "I have changed, Kyouko. I had to grow up, so I am not the same little 'Tsukkie' you remember."

"I am beginning to see that."

"And as for kissing," Tsukune pointed a finger at her. "Because of everything that has happened to me, I am allowed to kiss whomever I want, as long as they don't object, and you're not strong enough to stop me."

"Oh yeah?" Kyouko's pride flashed in her eyes. She remembered strong-arming her cousin into doing things her way plenty of times. Sometimes it had been to get him to take the shortcut home she knew about, other times it had been to eat the meals she had cooked for him when she had been left to look after him, instead of ordering out, to save the money her aunty had left for him. Now he was saying she wasn't strong enough to keep him from something. Kyouko was not going to let that challenge pass her by. "I bet that I am," She said, never suspecting that she was playing along with Tsukune's plan.

"Oh really?" Tsukune smiled. Before anybody could react, Tsukune reached out and grabbed Ruby roughly around the waist and pulled her close. He held her close with one hand at the small of her back. His free hand grabbed her hair at the back of her head firmly. When Ruby gasped, Tsukune pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply.

Ruby had been surprised by what Tsukune was doing. She was thrilled by his rough treatment and the way he physically controlled her. When his kiss came, Ruby surrendered to it, embracing him tightly.

Kyouko was stunned by her cousin's behavior. He had moved so quickly that she almost didn't see it. Suddenly he was kissing Ruby, and she could see that the girl was enjoying the attention quite thoroughly. As she watched, Kyouko couldn't help but wish she had somebody that would kiss her like that. She wondered what it would feel like. She saw how Ruby held on to Tsukune, and noticed that it was his grip on her that kept the woman from going limp on the floor. When he finally broke the kiss, Ruby gave a sigh and sagged against him. She could see that her face was flush from excitement and that her eyes were having trouble focusing. And then Kyouko saw that Tsukune was watching her.

Tsukune's eyes were sharp and clear. They made Kyouko aware of the warmth of her face that indicated that she was blushing. She could feel her heart beating quickly in her chest. Tsukune had told her that she wasn't strong enough to stop him from kissing whoever he wanted, and he had been right.

Tsukune saw that he made his point. His cousin would have a hard time forgetting that he was not the same little boy she remembered. He slowly let go of Ruby, making sure she could stand on her own. Tsukune didn't like showing off like this, but he needed to make sure his cousin would not just dismiss him based on her memories of growing up together.

Tsukune had never considered the idea that youkai could be living in his home town. He had just discovered one of his old hang-outs was owned by a youkai, and had even run into a kohai from his school. Suddenly the youkai world was much closer, much more real. Remembering the problems with Fairy Tale at the beach, Tsukune realized he had to be worried about everybody around him, not just at school, but at home too. If Tsukune ever had to deal with youkai while around his family, he needed at least his cousin to understand that he was no longer the boy she used to bully and strong arm to get her way.

"I'm going to go take my bath," Tsukune said, excusing himself. He deftly gathered his things and headed for the bathroom.

Kyouko watched him go, unsure of what to think about Tsukune. She gave her a little shake once he was out of the bedroom and turned back to Ruby. Ruby had not been idle. She had opened Tsukune's closet and was pulling out a futon.

"What are you doing?" Kyouko asked.

"Master will be going to bed soon," Ruby said. "If I do not have a place laid out for myself before then, it will disturb him."

"I'm glad you're not trying to sleep with him. What?" Kyouko had to wonder why Ruby suddenly giggled.

"I am always trying to sleep with Tsukune," Ruby looked the other woman in the eyes. "I have slipped into his bed when he was sleeping. I have distracted him with mind games so I could snuggle up close to him before he could fall asleep. I have offered my everything to him again and again."

Kyouko saw a strange light in Ruby's eyes, and found it disturbing. It was is if the self proclaimed slave was drunk on something, or maybe the term was 'high.' What ever it was, Kyouko didn't think the young woman was entirely sane.

"Tsukune knows I am here for his every want and need," Runy explained. "Thank about how you would feel in my place. A man comes out of nowhere, and no mater how badly you treat him, he befriends you. He saves your life. He never disrespects you. You want to thank him any way you can, and everything you do for him, he somehow turns it around to be something just for you. I could stand naked before him, and he would be afraid of shaming me."

"Ahhhh…" Kyouko felt herself at a loss for words.

"Right," Ruby said darkly. "So I do all that I can to bring as much happiness as I can to the man that I love, and hope that I do enough that he will smile at me."

"That's sick!" Kyouko shook her head in disbelief.

"No," Ruby said. "It is dedication. Believe it or not, I am happy."

"How can you be happy as a slave to Tsukkie?" Kyouko wanted to know.

"Because it is Tsukune," Ruby said with a simple smile. "There are other women that want to be with him as well. That is probably never going to change. Just like there are people that will want to use him, or try to take advantage of his kindness. But while they all fight and scramble to try and get his attention, I already have it. I already have a life with Tsukune. When he comes home, I will be there. When ever he needs comfort, I will be available. I accept that I will never be first in his heart, but I will always be a part of his life, and all it cost me was swearing to serve and obey him. Being supportive and caring and accepting; Isn't that the roll of a wife?"

Kyouko saw the honest emotions on Ruby's face as she spoke. It was clear that the young woman was in love. She thought about Ruby's words, trying to pluck at the logic of her argument. A wife's traditional job was to care for the home of her husband, to offer him her every support, and to raise his children. Kyouko eyed Ruby critically. The woman had a point, she had to admit. She also had hips and a respectable bosom. Tsukune had a woman that was his wife in every aspect but title, and all he had to do was allow it.

"I need to go talk to my aunt," Kyouko announced, turning to leave the room.

"Before you go," Ruby said to her. "Please remember that Tsukune's parents do not know the truth about Tsukune's school. Or about Tsukune and I. It would endanger them if they knew too much, and Tsukune would not like that."

"I'll remember that," Kyouko said, then left the room.

XXXXXX

Moka sat at her desk and tried to relax. Her father had been very proud of her successes at school. He had even gone so far as to offer to host a ball in her honor. Moka found her neck and shoulders growing tense at the thought of the ball. It would be an occasion for her father to show her off, but also, it would be a political opportunity for him. Moka did not want to be shown off as her father's prize, or be offered up in some deal for power or status. Moka had been able to dissuade her father about holding a ball, but the man would still find his political opportunities.

The servants of the household were working hard to get ready for a string of 'informal dinners' where Master Shuzen wanted to host 'old friends,' so they could talk about 'past times.' Because the dinners were informal, Moka would have the option of attending, but she knew her attendance was expected if she was home. The first dinner was to be held in four days. For appearances sake, Moka should attend at least one. Moka would do her part, and sit through one dinner in order to keep her father happy. After that, she just needed to find somewhere else to be. Fortunately, Moka had a plan.

'To Aono Tsukune, sworn liegeman of Dame Akashiya Moka. I have chosen to take holiday and travel before returning to school in the spring. I am informing you so that you can prepare to receive me within your home upon the second day of April. I will remain in residence until my return to school.'

The letter was formal and cold, exactly as Moka's father would expect it to be. Moka had written the letter after lunch and had left it on her desk during supper with her family. Confident that every word of the letter had been noted by at least one servant and reported back to her father, Moka quickly wrote out a much more warm and personal letter to Tsukune. She folded the first letter around the second, sealed them together in an envelope, addressed it, and ordered it to be delivered promptly.

Moka went to bed with a smile on her lips. She would see Tsukune in five days; a week before returning to school. That gave her a week without any of the others to get in her way. Moka reflected on all that she and Tsukune had shared. She had to admit that she wanted to shamelessly share more with Tsukune, even if the thought frightened her, Moka felt that it was worth the risk.

XXXXXXX

Yukari was lost in her own little world. She had mangas set aside for later, probably to take back to school with her. For the present, the young witch was focused on the old tome she had been given as a reward. Before she had tried to open the book, Yukari had tried to learn about it. She had delved into her reference sources and sought out any information she could about any books that might be similar to the one she had. From her research, Yukari had learned that the old tome, called a grimore, was once used by master mages to train apprentices and challenge rivals. She was practically drooling at the thought of what she would learn once she opened it.

When Yukari could pull herself away from her research, she missed her friends. She looked forward to seeing them in the spring. It would be their last year at school together as a group. Yukari liked to imagine the fun she would have, tormenting Kurumu. She would do all that she cold to help bring Moka and Tsukune together, and then let the succubus know that not only had Tsukune and Moka consummated their love for one another, but Yukari had been with them. If she was not too tired from her research, most nights Yukari went to bed, she would touch herself and fantasize about being with Tsukune and Moka for their first time, the three of them taking their relationship to an adult level together.

But such dreams were for later. Yukari would only let herself dream about the future for a short period before turning back to her research. The secrets she felt the old tome held were calling her.