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 73

Tsukune was feeling the strain by Friday morning. Four nights in a row had been spent on duty. While he had been taking cat naps in his office, Tsukune was still short on sleep. He tried not to yawn too much as he helped set up a table for handing out newspapers. The special edition of the school paper had the word 'Special' in large black letters on a red background across the top of the paper. Most of the front of the paper talked about the Student Council and the coming election. Tsukune had managed to write up a small article asking for new members for the Student Police, especially for students with an interest in security or public safety work after graduation. The back side of the paper was a collection of small ads from all the other school clubs that were recruiting.

"You don't look like much," A gruff voice said.

Tsukune turned to see a tall pair of students watching him. They were twins, Tsukune decided right away. Each one was two meters tall with athletic builds, and long black hair pulled back in matching pony tails. The twins had the same face, handsome on the edge of being pretty. Because they were dressed in the same uniform as Tsukune, he almost missed the fact that the twins had breasts.

"Who are you?" Moka questioned, moving up beside Tsukune.

"We're Kumi and Rumi," The first twin said.

"We hear that the Newspaper Club are the strongest fighters in school," Said the second twin.

"So if we want to be popular…"

"We need to beat you."

"We don't want to fight you," Tsukune said.

"We just want to be left alone," Kurumu supported Tsukune.

"I guess we'll…"

"Just have to find…"

"Another way…"

"To become popular."

The Newspaper club watched the twins walk away, headed for the school building. They all noticed the twin smirks and knew that the challenge wasn't over yet. The Newspaper Club knew they would have to stay on their guard.

XXXXXX

Tsukune's eyes felt like they were full of sand. He had never even heard of a youkai getting a flu, but three of his patrol officers were out sick. Another had sprained his knee on the stairs. And of five new applicants to the Student Police, only two looked serious. Tsukune was ready for his bed and it was only late Sunday night. Because nobody wanted the position of full time night supervisor, Tsukune had set up a rotating schedule. He would be pulling the night shift twice a week, but the lieutenants, including Sheezu, would be doing only one a week. Akira had volunteered for more, and Tsukune might eventually take him up on the offer, but he was already doing four day shifts a week. The worst part of pulling so many shifts with the Student Police what that Tsukune didn't have time or energy to spend with his friends.

Tsukune was glad when his shift ended Monday morning. He had the next two nights off and intended sleep hard. But first he had to get through the day.

"Welcome home master," Ruby said as Tsukune entered the house.

As was usual, Ruby had everything ready. Tsukune was able to wash himself and put on a clean uniform without having to so much as look for a sock. He did wash his face a second time with cold water to help refresh himself. As he was headed for the door, Tsukune gave Ruby a kiss. Tsukune was determined to by over his shyness, at least with the people closest to him, and Ruby was so excited by just a peck on the lips.

Tsukune was once again greeted by his friends just meters outside his front door. Kokoa had almost been moved to the village, because she had some human world experience, but she had raised such a fuss about not being allowed to live with her sister that the administration decided against it. Tsukune was relieved that the little vampire was not his neighbor. He could imagine her very easily getting in the way if he tried to spend time with Moka, or trying to challenge him if he wanted to cross the street to see Kurumu.

Once Tsukune had met up with his friends, it was time to go to school. Monday was waiting for him. A test in history that he hardly had time to study the notes for was something he did not want to face. And then there was P.E. to deal with, he still had class mates that wanted to 'test themselves' against Tsukune. Tsukune dealt with them the same way every time. He held down his youki, did the best his mostly human body could do, and lost as gracefully as he could. And if the challenger started trying to gloat, Tsukune would remind him that the academy was about learning to blend in, and that to be as physically average as possible was almost the same as being invisible. One time the 'winner' tried to use his victory to pick up on a girl from their class, only to have her pay attention to a boy that the 'winner' had shoved over a bench for being in the way.

Rumor had it that delegates from all of the athletic clubs had ganged up on the 'winner' and taught him a lesson about good sportsmanship. If guys like him were too visible with their poor conduct, then athletes would get a bad reputation. And nothing made it harder to get a girlfriend then a bad reputation. If the modest and average Tsukune could be so popular with the girls, then anybody that tried to make him look bad would be hurting themselves. The athletes of the school did not need someone dragging them down.

In contradiction, Tsukune drove himself to perform at his best academically. While blending in was good, being able to make a good living was important. A faceless executive at a large company could do both, with the right education. Tsukune was still undecided what career to follow, but no mater what path he would take, he knew he would need all the education he could get.

By lunch time Tsukune was feeling spent. After eating Mizore's obento, he sometimes wondered how much his friends planed his life out for him, Tsukune crossed his arms on the table for a pillow and put his head down for a nap. It would be a short nap, but he hoped it would help him stay awake for the rest of the school day.

As Tsukune relaxed with his eyes closed the world around him seamed to change. He was aware of the presence of his friends close to him, and the other students not far away. Moka's presence was a bright, warming glow. Tsukune could feel the energy of her presence, and to his mind's eye she appeared as an incredibly bright spark contained within a shaded lamp. Mizore's presence was another bright light, one that sparkled and dazzled, as if reflected off of every surface, shining on Tsukune from every direction. Yukari's presence was a kaleidoscope of colorful sparks in a bottle. Kurumu's presence was a golden glow that sparkled. The warmth of her glow, like Moka's, surrounded Tsukune. He was aware of how Kurumu's presence flickered, and could feel her emotions. She was happy and feeling a sense of peace.

Tsukune was also aware of the presence of other students in the area. He was drifting in the darkness behind his eyelids surrounded by little sparks of youki; living energy. Soft lights that moved and pulsed as students lived and moved through their day. From among the drifting stars, Tsukune detected a brightness, a pair of lights that were so close to each other that they sometimes seamed to be one. That brightness suddenly hardened, and the light became a beam focused on Tsukune. It was the focused intent that came just before an attack.

"What?" Moka felt Tsukune's youki suddenly spike.

"No," Kurumu was aware of Tsukune's youki and felt his heart accelerate.

Mizore and Yukari felt a change in Tsukune and saw Moka and Kurumu starting to move. Tsukune went from sleeping quietly to launching himself into the air. A large rock suddenly impacted the place where he had been sitting, the chair he had occupied was a mangled ruin.

Tsukune landed on the table in a crouch. His eyes were red and black and his hands were transformed into scaled claws with dark talons. Tsukune leapt from the table, his friends following his example, just in time to avoid a small boulder. Tsukune landed and spun to face the direction the missiles were coming from. Moka saw him take a first step forward, and then he was gone.

'Follow him,' Moka's instincts screamed at her in conjunction with her inner self. Moka willed herself to follow Tsukune. Her muscles burned as she ran, her youki straining against the seal to give her strength.

Kurumu took flight to avoid the second rock. She saw Tsukune take off after the unseen attackers and swooped to follow him. Mizore and Yukari raced to follow the others. Behind some bushes, just within the tree line, trouble waited.

The twins stood, holding rocks in their hands the size of a person's head.

"Where did he go?" Kumi asked.

"I don't see him." Rumi answered.

"Behind you," Tsukune said in a growling voice.

The twins turned in surprise, raising their rocks to smash them down on their target. Tsukune didn't give them a chance. As quick as a heartbeat, Tsukune lashed out; One-two. He punched each twin in the solar plexes. The twins were knocked backwards from their feet, knocking the rocks from their hands. They curled up in twin balls of pain and shock where they landed. Tsukune stalked over to them and grabbed their long pony tails. With a cold grin he started to pull them up from the ground.

"Tsukune," Moka cried out. "No!" She could feel his killing intent.

"Tsukune," Kurumu cried. She landed beside Moka.

Tsukune saw them looking at him with fear in their eyes. He paused, wondering why they should be afraid when he was clearly in no danger. He looked down at the defeated and helpless twins. So sure of themselves, but so weak. A part of Tsukune wanted to pound them into the ground so they would never challenge him again. To beat them down the way others had tried to beat him. Tsukune recognized the evil of such intentions and rejected them. That was why his most precious people were afraid. The were not worried about what someone might do to him, this time, but what he might do to himself.

Tsukune gave the pony tails a yank then let them go. Taking a deep breath, Tsukune willed his youki to settle and blew out his tension. By the third breath, his hands returned to normal and his heart rate was slowing.

"Fighting is against the rules, and throwing things can get people hurt," Tsukune said, looking down on the groaning twins. "Do you understand me?"

"Yessss…."

"We understand."

"Write a paper reflecting on your actions and turn it in to the Student Police headquarters," Tsukune said. "And I won't have to report you to your homeroom teacher this time."

"Hai…"

"Yes."

Tsukune turned from the twins to face Moka and Kurumu. He could see the emotions in their eyes and could read the relief that they felt. Tsukune was grateful that his friends were there for him when it counted. He took a step forward and held his arms out.

"Tsukune," Moka breathed as she hurried forward.

"Tsukune," Kurumu cheered.

The pair collided with Tsukune and he had to brace himself to keep from being knocked down. He embraced them both as the hugged him tightly. He felt warm emotions filling his chest.

"Thank you," Tsukune said.

Mizore and Yukari arrived too late to see the action. Tsukune, Moka, and Kurumu had already shared their hug and were just separating as the others arrived. The twins were left alone, to climb to their feet and stagger away with as much dignity as they could muster, as Tsukune and his companions left to collect what was left back at their table.

"He is strong," Kumi observed, talking on a low voice to her sister.

"And fast," Rumu replied. "Do you think?"

"Yes," Kumi winced. "But maybe…"

"Yes," Rumi agreed. "A few days would be a good idea."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tsukune returned to the house feeling tense and tired. His explosive use of youki had helped him survive an attack, and stay awake through the rest of the school day, or that could just have been adrenalin. However, he was feeling the after effects. His muscles were tense and sore from the workout he had put them through without the benefit of a warm-up or cool-down stretch.

"Welcom home," Ruby greeted her master. "Is there anything you would like master?"

"A hot bath," Tsukune said. "Followed by a soft bed."

"I'll take care of everything," Ruby said. "Have some tea while I get it ready."

Tsukune accepted the cup of tea and went to his room. He sipped the tea as he unburdened himself of his school bag and uniform. He finished the tea and headed for the bathroom without waiting for Ruby to call for him. Ruby had everything laid out, and was just checking the temperature of the water when Tsukune walked in.

Ruby gasped in spite of herself. Tsukune was already stripped down, and he looked to tired to care that Ruby was still in the room with him. In truth, he felt more the a little embarrassed about exposing himself, but he was determined to get over his shyness, and he wanted that hot bath too much to wait. He dropped himself down on the stool. Distantly he realized he should get another one. Moka had brought her own over for the night she had shared with him, but if something like that were to be more common, and he really hoped it would be, then he should make provisions for it.

"Master?" Ruby questioned as Tsukune stared to wet himself down.

"Hmmm?" Tsukune replied, tired enough to be a little cranky.

"I'll be right back," Ruby hurried from the bathroom.

Tsukune could guess what she was doing. He counting in his head, at five he guessed that would be as long as it took for Ruby to reach her room. Tsukune estimated ten seconds would be enough for Ruby to peel off most of her clothing, with another five to return to the bathroom.

"A little off," Tsukune muttered under his breath as his mental count reached twenty seven before Ruby returned, breathing hard. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Ruby was wearing a thin slip and dark panties. He wasn't sure if he was surprised that she wasn't naked or not. The again, the extra seconds just might have been her trying to decide on whether or not to undress completely.

"Shall I wash your back?" Ruby said, a little short of breath.

"Sure," Tsukune nodded.

Ruby was careful to read Tsukune's mood. She was diligent in washing his back, and as much of his body as he would allow. She was alert to the feel of his muscles under her hands as well as to his posture and breathing. Tsukune tried to relax on the stool with his eyes closed as Ruby tended to him.

Tsukune could feel Ruby's warming presence. It was like a desk lamp in a way. Tsukune could feel the warmth of her presence, but she seamed focused on him. It wasn't the same intensity that came just before an attack, but it was close. Tsukune wondered about that as he tried to relax.

Ruby was amazed at Tsukune's relaxed posture. She wondered if it was the result of a night with Moka. He didn't resist as she washed his back and hips, or his arms and sides. When she moved to in front of Tsukune, she watched him carefully to see if he would shy away. She resumed washing him at his shoulders and worked her hands down his chest to his abdomen without any reaction. Ruby wasn't ready to push her new found luck, so she washed Tsukune's feet next. She washed him up to Mid thigh before his muscles tensed. Ruby allowed herself a moment to enjoy her position, on her knees in front of Tsukune, before moving away.

Tsukune waited for Ruby to rinse him off before climbing into the bath. He relaxed in the hot water and tried to remember what had been taught in class that day. When he caught himself falling asleep, Tsukune got out of the bath. Drowning in a bathtub would be a humiliating way to die, especially after all he had been through.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tsukune had the Student Police out in force for the election. The campaign period had been brief, making the process of applying for a position on the ballot more then a little frenzied. While the Student Council had been moving fast in the hopes of filling empty seats so they could be effective leadership for the student body, Tsukune hoped that the rapid process would help keep it honest. Because of the short campaign time, some hopeful candidates were still giving speeches outside the cafeteria while ballots were being collected inside the the cafeteria.

Tsukune was looking forward to the end of the election process. He had no time for his friends, or himself, as he hurried though one set of responsibilities to another. Once the ballots were all counted, and recounted, Tsukune would, hopefully have a little time to spend with Moka.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Moka was feeling more then a little cross. Tsukune was so busy with his duties for the Student Police, and the current Election Committee, and his school work, that he was ether too busy to spend time with her, or too tired. Moka tried to be understanding, but she didn't like having to share her boyfriend with what was essentially the whole school. She thought about just going over to his house and climbing into bed with him just so she could share his company, but she realized that if she did that, she would be denying him the sleep that he needed. It didn't help that after the attack Monday, her inner self was also aware of Tsukune absence, and kept growling about it.

Moka wanted Tsukune's company in the worst ways. She felt lonely without him. Just thinking about him improved her mood, usually. But being denied her private time with Tsukune, while still seeing and talking to him daily, was turning Moka's mood dark. Her inner self was very much in approval of the plan to just visit Tsukune in the night.

XXXXXXX

Mizore was feeling down. She had looked forward to returning to school, to returning to Tsukune's company, but she had been left wanting. Tsukune was so busy with everything else that he had no free time to spend with his friends. She had been forced to start stalking Tsukune again just so she could have some satisfaction of being around him. The benefit of stalking Tsukune was getting to see him walking about in his bedroom naked, when he 'thought' the curtains were closed all the way.

Mizore wanted to spend time with Tsukune. She was willing to share her time with him, if she had to, but Mizore wanted to have Tsukune all to herself. After the rather polite and vicious verbal fencing match between Kurumu and Moka, Mizore was sure that something had happened with Tsukune. She was also sure that the only way to learn what had happened was to ether goad Kurumu in to boasting, or seduce Tsukune in letting his guard down. Of the two, Mizore favored any plan that involved the words 'seduce Tsukune.'

XXX XXX

Yukari was mentally flogging herself. During the break she had been too pre-occupied with the Grimoire to try scrying Tsukune or Moka, and now she was sure she missed something good. Since the break, scrying had never shown her Tsukune and Moka together. Tsukune's house was warded against it, and Moka had a room mate that would be in the way of anything good happening at her house. All Yukari's scrying had shown was a busy Tsukune and a lonely Moka.

Yukari wanted to know what had happened over the break. The boob monster hinted at something happening, but Moka didn't appear to care, so Yukari was left with the choice making demands like a spoiled child, or waiting for information to slip out. Neither choice was particularly attractive to her. She knew she would have to think of a way to trick Kurumu in spilling the facts. As she continued to study the Grimoire , the little witch hoped the ancient tome would yield up something useful for her current situation.