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 74

Tsukune was feeling cross. Monday had gone by without a hitch, which had seemed too good to be true. Tsukune decided that his normal Monday bad luck had been resting up for an extra effort on Wednesday. The new members of the Student Council had been elected and Monday's council meeting had been spent getting the new members oriented to their posts. Tsuesday, Tsukune had pulled a duty shift with the Student Police, the scheduled watch commander for the night was down with food poisoning. Wednesday after school, a day Tsukune thought would have some free time for him to relax and study like a normal student, had been taken over by another Student Council meeting.

Along with voting on Student Council seats, the student population had written suggestions for the Student Council to act on. All class officers and club presidents were called in for the meeting with the Student Council. While some ideas that were given to the council could be rejected without hesitation, such as co-ed baths, others deserved some consideration. The class officers were in attendance to help represent the general student body. The club presidents were included because their areas of experience could be useful supporting some of the suggested changes or activities.

The Student Council had spent Tuesday afternoon sifting through all the suggestions and sorting them into lists for Wednesday's full attendance meeting. The council president read down the first list of suggestions, which were the rejected one, such as a co-ed bath, just to get them out of the way. The second list took a while to go through. The president read off each item on the list and a vote was held to drop the item or discuss it further. Co-ed dorms, for example was put on the list for further discussion, but was later dropped as impractical due to the potential conflicts. Class weekend trips to the human world were discussed, and it was decided that an effort would be made to look deeper into the idea and see if the school board would be willing to discuss it. Changes to school uniforms went in circles for a while, but was ultimately shelved to be revisited at a later time. Some kind of inter-school competitions was an idea that looked like it had a lot of support at the beginning, but ended up being dropped. Too many students disliked the idea of possibly having to lose competitions on purpose to keep their true natures a secret. When the idea of a school dance was brought up it received strong support.

Tsukune saw Moka's excitement as she raised her hand in support of the idea of a school dance. He had to admit that he kind of liked the idea himself. Tsukune knew that if he could help the idea along, Moka would be glad. He suspected that Kurumu would also like the idea of a school dance as well. Likely his other friends would be interested, if the idea could be made into a reality. When the idea was opened to discussion, Tsukune raised his hand to speak. As he had been a voice for moderation and caution all afternoon, Tsukune was aware of a number of dark looks directed his way, mostly from female students, as the council president indicated it was his turn to speak.

"As the president of Class One year Three," Tsukune said. "I would like to speak in favor of school dances. This would be a good chance for all students to practice normal human customs, which is a part of our purpose for attending this school. As Student Police Captain," Tsukune continued. "I would like to point out that dances help bring people together to share good times, and that this sharing will help us to be stronger as a whole, make us safer, and promote peace. Thank you for listening to what I have to say." Tsukune sat down as a cheer went up from the assembly.

The discussion on the topic of a school dance became lively. Ideas about different kinds of dances, or themes for them started to come out. Some people tried to discuss things calmly, while others just shouted out suggestions. The meeting was quickly dissolving into chaos.

"Please excuse me," Tsukune said in a firm voice, standing again. He paused to see that he had attracted most of the attention. He could feel himself starting to blush, but pressed on. He had committed himself. "I would like to suggest that the Student Council form a Dance Committee. It would be that committee's responsibility to plan and organize all school dances, with final approval to be granted by the Student Council and the school board." Tsukune felt that he had said more then enough. "Thank you for listening to what I had to say." Tsukune sat back down.

A low murmur filled the room. The Student Council at the long table at the head of the room discussed the matter in low voices. The assembled class officer and club presidents also discussed Tsukune's suggestion. Moka gave Tsukune a smile, showing pride in his clear thinking. Tsukune smiled back at her. As the discussion continued, Tsukune saw more and more people looking his way. Just quick glances from one person or another before they turned to somebody else, usually with a nod. Tsukune felt his heart sinking into his stomach.

"The Student Council agrees with Aono Sempai," The council president said. "A Dance Committee will be formed to handle the planning and execution off all official school dances."

A small cheer went up from the assembled students, in support of the council's decision. When the room quieted down again, the student president continued.

"The Student Council asks Aono Tsukune Sempai to please take charge of the Dance Committee," Tsuke council president said. "You have experience with both the election committee and the Festival Committee, so we know we can trust you with this responsibility."

Tsukune stood, trying to find the words to politely but firmly refuse. As he stood, a cheer went up around him. He saw everybody looking at him, most were smiling brightly. It was like when he was voted his class president. Tsukune knew he could protest until he was blue in the face and it wouldn't do any good. Tsukune blew out a sigh that nobody in the room could hear and simply bowed his head in resignation to his fate. As the students cheered louder, Tsukune sat down, feeling defeated.

XxXXxxXX

Moka walked beside Tsukune back to the village. It should have been a fun moment, with the two of them alone, but Tsukune was tired and in an obviously dark mood. Moka quietly slipped her hand into his, and had been happy when Tuskune had turned his head to flash her a smile as he closed his hand around hers. But his smile was small, and carried little warmth. Moka was worried about Tsukune.

As Tsukune walked back to the village he was doing something he had not done in well over a year. He was thinking about quitting school. His body felt tired, and his mind felt exhausted. When Moka held his hand Tsukune was glad. He was glad for her company. He wondered if he quit school, would she come with him? He rejected that idea. If he quit school, then Tsukune knew he would not be worthy of her. Even if Moka would go with him, he would only bring her disappointment. He would not be able to be the kind of man that she deserved.

Tsukune repressed a sigh. He didn't know what he should do. He wanted a quiet life with his friends. He wanted a normal school life. He no longer lived in fear of being eaten by his class mates. Yet somehow, the school as a whole had become a monster that was consuming him. Tsukune had no time for himself, let alone his friends. Things like studying for finals he could understand taking up a lot of time, but even then he could study with his friends. His responsibilities were taking him away from his friends, and he could tell that it was bothering them too.

Tsukune knew that he needed to keep going. He knew he had to work had to keep the Board Chairman satisfied, or he could be tossed out of school. He had to work hard to keep his grades up, or he would not be able to have a life with Moka. The only thing he could think to do was to just keep working harder.

Moka walked with Tsukune back to the village without saying a word. Tsukune was almost absent minded as he walked Moka to her door. He gave her a weak hug.

"See you tomorrow," Tsukune said in a flat voice.

"Good night, Tsukune," Moka said, looking up into his tired eyes.

Moka walked into her house wondering what she could do. It bothered her to see Tsukune in his current state. She wanted Tsukune back to his normal self, Moka was willing to admit to herself, so that he would pay more attention to her. But she was wiling to sacrifice at least some of her time with him if it would help Tsukune. Moka tried to work out what to do as she headed for her bedroom

XXXXX

Ruby was worried about Tsukune. When he came home late, walking like a golem, Ruby was afraid that something might had happened. But as she watched Tsukune; watched him casting off his school bag and uniform, Ruby saw that he was unhurt. He ate his dinner the same way, with a flat facial expression, as if his mind was somewhere else. After dinner, Tsukune sat himself down at his desk and went through the motion of studying. It was creepy watching him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Tsukune fan club was assembled in his front room Saturday night. They all knew that Tsukune was worn out, and it bothered them. Ruby told the others how Tsukune was staying up past midnight, on the evenings he came home at all, trying to study. The others saw Tsukune working hard during the school day. He was eating his lunches quickly, and then going off to talk to other students. Moka had to explain to the others about the Dance Committee that Tsukune had been placed in charge of. Unlike the Festival Committee, there was no pre-set plan or precedent. Tsukune was trying to get everything organized from scratch.

The meeting was largely unproductive. It was a sign of everybody's concern that Kurumu only made a single suggestion about 'comforting' Tsukune, and that nobody shouted her down. A little investigating uncovered that Student Police recruiting was flat, and the officers were having trouble filling the night shifts. This added up to more stress for Tsukune as he tried to meet with them during the school day, constantly revising the watch and patrol schedules.

It was the schedule conflicts, Moka and the others decided, that was wearing Tsukune down. He had too keep up with his class work and assignments while spending two to three nights on duty with the Student Police. His normal quiet time was also being eaten up by the Student Police, and now the Dance Committee.

"If only there was a way," Yukari said with a sigh. "For Tsukune to keep up without having to stay awake all day in class. Then he would be able to do everything else too."

XXXX

Tsukune reached his house Sunday morning eager for sleep. He shucked his clothes and crawled into bed without even looking at the school work on his desk. As he slept, Tsukune dreamed of fanged school books snapping at his feet as he ran from class room to class room to chase down a bunch of giggling and bouncing letters and numbers.

Late Sunday afternoon Tsukune woke up, still feeling tired, to make an attempt at studying. Ruby fixed him a meal that Tsukune pecked at as he worked on his assignments. He managed to write out his papers, but his class notes were hard to read, and even harder to remember. Afternoon passed into evening, and then into night as Tsukune forced himself to keep working.

Kurumu had spent much of Sunday struggling away though her own assignments while feeling anxious about Tsukune. She wanted to help him, but couldn't think of what she could do. She already planned to join the Dance Committee, but she was unsure of how much help she could really offer. Kurumu took a break from her studying for a late night snack, more for a distraction from the pages of numbers and letters then from any actual hunger. On her way to the kitchen, Kurumu peeked out her window at Tsukune's house across the street. She saw that the lights were on and realized that Tsukune must be awake.

Something clicked in Kurumu's mind. It was late Sunday night and while she was feeling a little tired from studying, she knew Tsukune would be running on pure determination. Kurumu, dressed in a skimpy pair of shorts and a sleeveless top, stalked out of her house and across the street. She knocked on Tsukune's door, and was thinking about just pushing her way in when Ruby opened it.

"Where's Tsukune?" Kurumu demanded as she entered.

"He is in his room," Ruby answered as Kurumu walked past her. "He is trying to study."

"Not any more," Kurumu said, almost growling.

"Tsukune," Kurumu said as she entered his bedroom. "That's enough."

"Kurumu, what..." He looked up in surprise.

"I said enough," Kurumu said, walking up to where he was sitting. She took the pen from his hand and set it on the desk "You're wearing yourself out."

Kurumu looked Tsukune up and down and opened herself up to her Awareness of him. She could see that he was tired. His heart was beating faster then she expected. Tsukune was in his boxers and under shirt as he sat at his desk. Kurumu knew Tsukune was only awake because of his sense of responsibility.

"Ruby," Kurumu called out.

"Yes?" The witch answered from the hallway.

"Can you get the bathtub ready?"

"I've already taken care of it," Ruby said.

"Good," Kurumu turned her attention back to Tsukune. "You are going to take a bath," Kurumu declared. "And then you are going to bed."

"But I..." Tsukune tried to protest.

"Unless you plan to put up a fight," Kurumu said in a firm voice. "You are going to do what I say."

"No," Tsukune said stubbornly, reaching for his pen.

"I'll make you do what I say," Kurumu threatened.

"How?" Tsukune said with a tired glare.

Kurumu glared back at Tsukune. She could tell that he was going to be stubborn to the end. He was physically stronger then her, and had ways to make her obey his will, so just making demands was not going to be enough. Kurumu knew she would have to use her best weapons. She moved in close behind Tsukune and gently wrapped her arms around him.

"Tsu-ku-nee," Kurumu said in a low, throaty voice. "Won't you please take a little break, for me?" She leaned over the back of Tsukune's chair and pressed her breasts against the back of shoulders. "I promise I will take good care of you."

"Later," Tsukune said. "I just want to study for a little longer."

"But Tsukune," Kurumu leaned in closer. "You have been working soooo much. You have been sooo busy. I've missed you." She put her mouth beside his ear. "Won't you come take a bath with me?" Kurumu kissed his ear.

"Kurumu," Tsukune sighed.

"Do you want me to stop?" Kurumu asked playfully before nibbling at his ear.

"Kurumu…" Tsukune said again, irritated with the distraction.

Kurumu continued to nibble at Tsukune's ear as she smiled. Tsukune had not answered her question. He had not told her to stop. She sucked on his ear lobe. She felt Tsukune shudder in her embrace.

Try as he might, Tsukune was not entirely immune to Kurumu's attack. He was aware of her soft breasts against his back, and what her mouth was doing to his ear was stimulating to say the least. He blew out a sigh.

"That's enough." Tsukune said, pulling his head away from Kurumu.

"Are you going to take a bath?" Kurumu asked.

"In a little while," Tsukune agreed. "Just let me study for a little longer."

"Not good enough," Kurumu said. She let go of Tsukune and grabbed his chair. Using her inhuman strength, it was easy for her to drag the chair back from the desk.

"Kurumu," Tsukune growled.

"Are you going to get out of that chair?" Kurumu questioned in a stern voice. "Or not?"

"Not," Tsukune said tersely.

"Fine," Kurumu said. She moved around to face Tsukune and straddled his lap. She sat down on his thighs and grabbed his head in both hands. "Tsukune," Kurumu said, looking him in the eyes. "I know you want to study. But its late. We have class in the morning and I can see how tired you are. Please take a break, take a bath with me, and then get some sleep."

"Kurumu…" Tsukune started to argue.

"No," Kurumu insisted. "Ether you agree or I am going to sit here all night and you won't get anything done. No mater what, I win. I get my way, or I get to be with you. What is it going to be?"

Tsukune didn't say anything. He just stared at Kurumu. He could feel her determination and her warmth. Not just the warmth of her physical body, but that of her presence as well. He realized that he was stuck, but wasn't sure he was ready to admit defeat just yet.

Kurumu saw the stubbornness in Tsukune's eyes. Well she knew he would not want to admit defeat easily. That determination was a part of his charm. But Kurumu was not about to give up ether. She let go of Tsukune and immediately pulled off her top and tossed it aside. Tsukune had seen her breasts before, one way or another, but it had always been something he was weak against. Sure enough, Kurumu saw Tsukune's cheeks start to turn red even as she heard Ruby gasp.

"That is not going to work," Tsukune said. "I am not just going to give in because of your breasts."

Kurumu thought that Tsukune would have been more convincing if his face had not been red. His arms were folded across his chest and he had his head turned to the side. Kurumu staged a yawn and stretched her arms up over her head, presenting her chest more prominently. She then put her hands behind her head and laced her fingers together.

"Tsu-ku-nee," Kurumu whined. "It's late."

"What have I said about being forward, Kurumu?" Tsukune groaned.

"Well if you don't like it," Kurumu said. "You can agree to my demands, or you can try to make me move."

"Kurumu," Tsukune sighed. "Will you please get off of me?"

"Fine," Kurumu stood up. "Are you going to take a bath now?"

"Alright," Tsukune said. He stood up as Kurumu got out of his way. "I'm not going to get anything done anyway." He paused and looked at Kurumu. He refused to be chased off or intimidated by her body. "You can get dressed now."

"I know," Kurumu said. "But I still owe you for the last time we took a bath together."

"I'm too tired for this," Tsukune protested as he headed for the bathroom. "Ruby, you said the bath was ready?"

"Yes master," Ruby agreed.

"Good." Tsukune went into the bathroom.

Tsukune knew he needed a bath, but had been putting it off because he knew it would just make him sleepy. Now that he was resigned to stopping for the night, Tsukune was eager to get cleaned up. He threw his undergarments towards the laundry basket and settled on the stool to wash. Seconds later the door to the bathroom opened behind him.

"Shall I wash your back for you?" Kurumu asked as she entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She slipped her skimpy shorts and panties down her legs and kicked them aside. "It will help you relax."

"That is Ruby's job," Tsukune said without looking behind himself. He could feel Kurumu moving closer to his back.

"Ruby isn't here," Kurumu said in a low voice as she knelt behind Tsukune. She embraced him from behind.

"She will be here in a moment," Tsukune said as he started to wash his arms.

"Then if she is going to wash your back, I will wash your front." Kurumu slid her hands down Tsukune's chest and abdomen, and into his lap.

Tsukune finally gave Kurumu a satisfying reaction. Tsukune jerked to his feet and spun around. He was totally naked and his face was red all the way down his neck.

"Kurumu," Tsukune snapped. He was tired and irritated, and the succubus was getting on his last nerve. "Please stop that fooling around."

"I'm not fooling around," Kurumu snapped back. She stood up, feeling herself blushing as she presented her naked body to Tsukune. "Do I look like I'm fooling around to you?"

"Kurumu," Tsukune groaned, looking away. "Please."

"Fine," Kurumu hissed. "No more 'H' stuff tonight. Just come over her, sit down, and get clean."

"Master?" Ruby called from the hallway.

"Come on in," Tsukune said. He wasn't going to let Kurumu manipulate him any more then she already had. He sat back down on the stool, facing Kurumu, and the door.

Ruby entered the bathroom, as naked as Tsukune and Kurumu. Tsukune was a little disappointed by the obvious play for attention, but not surprised. He decided that if he acted like everything was just as it should be then it wouldn't bother him as much. Besides, he was a man, and a man should be able to handle a little embarrassment.

"Ruby," Taukune said. "Please wash by back for me."

"Yes master," Ruby said with a small nod.

Tsukune tried not to pay too much attention to Kurumu as he got clean. While Ruby washed his back, Tsukune washed his own front, arms, and legs. He washed his face and let Ruby wash his hair. Kurumu knelt in front of Tsukune and washed herself thoroughly as she could. When turned to present her back to Tsukune, he washed it without a word. He wasn't particularly gentle, but he was quick and thorough. They all rinsed off, and then Tsukune stood and reached for a towel.

"Don't you want to take a bath with me?" Kurumu asked with a small pout.

"Not tonight," Tsukune said. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

Ruby and Kurumu watched him go. It was strange to see any man so calmly turn down the attention of two young women. All the more so when they were naked. Kurumu and Ruby shared a look and a shrug. It was Tsukune after all, so maybe it wasn't so surprising.

"Thank you," Ruby said softly, offering Kurumu a towel. "I don't know how I would have pulled him away from his studies."

"You just don't try hard enough," Kurumu said.

"I can't," Ruby explained. "I have sworn to serve and obey Tsukune. If he orders me to leave him alone, then I must."

"You just do anything he tells you to do?" Kurumu said with raised eyebrows.

"Yes," Ruby said. "But mostly I do what I think will make him happy."

"I'm jealous of you," Kurumu said with a straight face.

"I know," Ruby gave her a small smile

XXXXXXXX

Tsukune woke up in the morning feeling a little groggy, but better then the night before. He ate a light breakfast and got ready for class. With a kiss for Ruby, Tsukune headed out the door to face the day. He realized he was running a little behind when he saw everybody waiting for him.

"Good morning," Tsukune said as he approached his friends. "Kurumu, thank you for last night. You were right. I did need the rest."

"You're welcome," Kurumu smiled. "You know I would do anything for you."

"What are you talking about?" Moka asked politely, with a small hard smile.

"I was up late studying," Tsukune explained. "Kurumu came over and convinced me that I needed to get more rest."

"I got naked and wrestled him into the bath," Kurumu said with a smile.

"What?" Moka and Yukari cried out togeather.

"Tsukune..." Mizore glared at him.

"She did not wrestle me into the bath," Tsukune said flatly.

"Tsu-ku-ne," Moka said in a sweet tone as she planted herself directly in front of him, their bodies only centimeters apart. "Did Kurumu get undressed in front of you last night?"

"Err," Tsukune knew he was in a bad spot. He intended to tell Moka everything, but not out in the street like this. "Yes, but..."

"And what did you do?" Moka questioned, her voice losing some of its sweetness.

"Nothing," Tsukune said. "When I finally let her have her way, I stopped trying to study, washed up, and went to bed. Alone," Tsukune added.

"When you let Kurumu have her way?" Moka asked.

"Ahhhhh."

"I see." Moka gave Tsukune a disapproving frown before turning towards the smiling succubus. "And just why were you getting undressed in front of my Tsukune?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," Kurumu said with a sniff. "I saw that Tsukune's lights were still on and realized that he was probably working too hard again. So I went over and made sure he would take the time to rest."

"And you had to take your clothes off to do that?" Moka demanded.

"I'll do whatever it takes to help Tsukune," Kurumu said with a vicious smile. "If you care so much about Tsukune, then why weren't you there?"

Moka glared daggers at Kurumu, who returned the favor. Mizore and Yukari were staying clear, waiting to see if violence was going to erupt. Tsukune did not want his most precious people fight each other and knew he had to say something.

"Noting happened," Tsukune said. "Ruby was there the whole time."

"You," Moka spun and faced Tsukune.

Moka moved and took hold of Tsukune's arm, pulling it tight against her possessively. She started to pull Tsukune along with her as she headed to school, practically dragging him along.

"Mo..." Tsukune started to Protest, but Moka shot him such an angry glare that he shut his mouth.

Mizore grabbed Tsukune's other arm, although not as tightly. Trapped between them, Tsukune walked along as best as he could. Tsukune realized that he was in for another long day. He sighed quietly. It was Monday.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Moka was fuming mad all day. She was mad at Tsukune. She was mad at Kurumu. Most of all, Moka was mad at herself. Kurumu had made a point with her vicious statement. If she cared so much for Tsukune, then why hadn't Moka been there for him. Well she was going to do something about that.