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 82

Tsukune suppressed a groan. His mind felt lost in a tired fog and it was only mid afternoon. Tsukune had started the day feeling a little drained, in more ways then one. Moka had been very passionate, and thirsty, Friday night. Remembering her attentions made Tsukune smile, and feel a little aroused all over again. The appointments that he and Kurumu had attended had been packed together to try to get as much done in a minimal amount of time. There had been a meeting with a dance choreographer that had talked more then two hours, with lots of gesturing, about presentation and the beauty of dance. Tsukune had tried to keep up, but was unsure of how well he did. The meeting with the costume designer had been brief by comparison. Tsukune had been measured every which way, and then dismissed. As he sat off to the side, he watched the designer's assistant measuring Kurumu up. Tsukune though he might have to say something to the man about his hands, until Kukumu smiled sweetly at the man.

"I don't need this job," Kurumu had said. "But I am sure you need your hands. Touch me again and I'll break your fingers. Alright?"

The meeting with the costume designer went smoothly after that. The assistant was a little red-faced as he said he had enough measurements, passing the documented numbers over to his boss before leaving the room. The designer had Tsukune and Kurumu pose together while he took photographs. Tsukune played straight man to Kurumu as she posed around him, and sometimes hanging onto him. Next was a conversation about colors and styles, to which Tsukune contributed nothing of substance.

Kurumu and Tsukune had a brief meeting with the manger and their agent. Tsukune's parents and Kurumu's mother had all approved of the contract, so the project was going to go forward. After a contract and schedule review, it was time for a quick lunch break. Tsukune and Kurumu were sent back to the costume designer for a test fitting, and then it was to a conference room where a dance machine was set up. Tsukune and Kurumu were asked to sit quietly while a bunch of anonymous men and women in suits watched a video presentation that included scenes from Tsukune and Kurumu dancing at the arcade. Tsukune and Kurumu then were introduced as the dancers/spokes persons for the roll-out of the new machine.

When the business of the day was over, Tsukune was looking forward to getting some rest. It was still early enough to make the trip back to school, but he knew that Kurumu wanted to spend the night, as she had the last time. Tsukune had briefly considered arguing the point, but decided that it wasn't worth it. Besides, Tsukune had learned that the hotel had a pool, and he had remembered his swim trunks this time. As he and Kurumu walked back to the hotel holding hands, Tsukune knew that he would be spending the night with her, and that it would be alright.

XXX

Kurumu almost felt like singing. While the day had been long and mostly boring, the work part was over and it was time to play, and Tsukue was with her. They had held hands back to the hotel, walking together like a couple. When they reached to hotel, Kurumu had been ready to argue with Tsukune to get him to stay the night with her. As she expected, as soon as they returned to the room, Tsukune had gone straight to where he had left his bag. Kurumu carefully selected a pout expression and chose her words.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said as he unzipped his bag. "Would you like to check out the pool with me?"

"Wha…" Kurumu's brain stalled. Tsukune wasn't trying to leave. He wasn't rushing back to school, and to Moka and the others, but was inviting her to play with him at the pool. A rush of happy excitement made her blush. "Tsukune…" She breathed.

Tsukune almost dropped his swim trunks, the wave of emotions from Kurumu hit him almost like a physical force. She was so happy at that moment that Tsukune had no doubt that he had said the right thing. He had been careful to not be facing her when he spoke because he was sure he would have stammered and blushed if he had. Now he turned to look at Kurumu, swim trunks in hand, and saw her face. Kurumu's eyes were shining with happy tears. Tsukune quickly crossed over to where she stood and wrapped his arms around her.

Kurumu melted into Tsukune's hug. He had said the most perfect thing at the most perfect time. Kurumu doubted she could have been happier right then even if Tsukune had confessed his love for her. Kurumu's happiness was momentarily shaken by an intruding thought. The only swimsuit she had brought had been in case of Tsukune arguing for modesty in the bath. She had her white bikini tucked into her bag.

"I…" Kurumu hesitated to say. "I don't have a swimsuit for the pool."

"Oh," Tsukune said. "Do we have time to go shopping for one?" Tsukune was surprised his voice had sounded so calm. Shopping with a girl for clothes could be painful, his cousin had taught him that. Shopping for a swimsuit was asking to be tormented. But once again, Tsukune knew he had said the right thing by the way Kurumu reacted.

"Tsukune," Kurumu cried out. She worked her arms free from his embrace and reached up. With a double handful of his hair, Kurumu pulled Tsukune's head down so she could kiss him. She kissed him until she was breathless, willing him to feel her love for him.

By the time Tsukune reached the pool he almost wished it had been filled with ice water. The shopping trip had been mercifully brief, but an ordeal all the same. Kurumu had demonstrated a low level of modesty, and when she was shopping with Tsukune, she didn't want to hold back. She had been surprised when Tsukune had even suggested one for her to try on. Tsukune had noticed a bikini on display that he thought would be suitably revealing for Kurumu's tastes, but more modest then she would normally choose for herself. He found one in black and another in pink that thought would fit her. He thought about it for a moment and then presented the pink one to Kurumu. Kurumu, very excited to have Tsukune participating in her little shopping trip with her, snatched up the offered swimsuit and hurried to try it on. It was an older style then she would have picked out for herself, and not very cute, but Tsukune had picked it out so that was enough of a reason to model it for him. The high cut sides, and slightly higher then normal waistband made the bottoms of the swimsuit accentuate her legs and hips, while wide triangle sections of top with their wide bands gave her a comfortable amount of support for her breasts. Kurumu checked her reflection in the mirror, and was a little less then happy about how the pink bikini made her bottom look big. She would model it for Tsukune, Kurumu planed, and then pick out something else. She stepped out of the dressing room and turned to Tsukune to give him a little show. When she saw the stunned look she inspired on his face she knew she was going with the pink bikini after all.

Tsukune slipped into the pool and stretched out his body to relax his muscles. He was aware of Kurumu floating close by, watching him with a smile, but it didn't bother him. A few other guests of the hotel were also enjoying the pool, with most of the watching Kurumu. As Tsukune slowly swam the length of the pool, he could tell that some of the guests were looking at him. One, a middle aged woman seemed to eye him nervously. She was nobody that Tsukune recognized, so he guessed that the woman was put off by his collection of scars. He had to admit that they did make him look like some kind of delinquent that got into gang fights or something. Tsukune tried to ignore the looks.

Kurumu and Tsukune enjoyed the pool until hunger started to become an issue. They showered off beside the pool and covered up in hotel robes to return to their rooms. Kurumu promptly ordered room service, surprising Tsukune a little. She ordered some western dishes and a bottle of wine, along with a dessert.

"Kurumu…" Tsukune questioned.

"Oh Tsukune," Kurumu said with an exaggerated sigh as she untied her robe. "I don't feel like getting all dressed to go out." She sauntered over to him with a crooked smile. "You don't mind, do you?" She reached for the bet of his robe. "We could just watch a little television together. Maybe order a movie we could enjoy." As she talked she untied his robe and slipped her arms under it to hug him. "Would that be alright with you?"

Tsukune was aware of Kurumu tripping him back onto the bed and kissing him. Her body was warm, while the damp bikini was cool. They shared just a few kisses, or so Tsukune thought, but they were disturbed by the knock at the door by room service. Tsukune blinked a few times, surprised that he had lost track of time. As they sat down to dinner, Tsukune thought about why he was being so care free, or perhaps careless would be a better term.

Tsukune loved and respected his parents. They had raised him to be polite and diligent when dealing with others. True, he had not seen the need to apply himself academically before meeting Moka, but that was his short coming, not his parents. Tsukune remembered being embarrassed to even hold Moka's hand in public, and now if they kissed in a public place his only concern was embarrassing her, because he knew how important proper appearances were to her, or at least to Inner Moka. Tsukune thought about the first time Ruby had tried to climb into his bed, or to wash his back. He had made a deliberate effort to defeat his modesty, but Tsukune had never intended to set aside his morals. But he had to admit that he was becoming a beast. Not only had he learned to let Ruby wash his back, Tsukune had learned to be able to expose himself to the female friends closest to him. Ruby he had desensitized himself to, although he still blushed if he wasn't careful. Moka was his lover, so being naked together in the bath, or the bed seemed like a small thing. Tsukune could understand why he was so care free around Moka, and even around Ruby, but what was he doing with Kurumu.

Tsukune's mind worked as he ate without really tasting the food. He sipped a bottle of water from the mini bar and followed his train of thought. Kurumu was his friend, but she had started out as a distraction, a threat to his relationship with Moka. Over time he had come to value her friendship and support, but was still embarrassed by her physical displays and forward gestures. He had resolved to be less shy in a large part to avoid letting Kurumu provoke him. He looked up from his meal and considered Kurumu carefully.

The turning point, Tsukune recognized, was when he had rescued her from Fairy tale. He had risked his life to help her, and had been tied to her by a piece of her soul that had been forced into his body. After that battle, he and Kurumu had become closer then just the friends he had become used to.

"Tsukune," Kurumu asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Tsukune answered distractedly.

"Don't give me that," Kurumu said sternly. "You haven't said a word since we sat down, and you have been looking at me and frowning. Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Tsukune said quickly. "No you didn't say or do anything. I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"I was thinking about you," Tsukune said absentmindedly, trying to catch his train of thought again. "About our relationship…" Tsukune was hit by a wave of love and excitement from Kurumu that brought his head up.

It was an awkward moment. Tsukune had a small frown as he tried to think through his feelings and actions, while Kurumu covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes were wide and shining. Kurumu's emotions and Tsukune's blended together in a confusing surge.

"Tsukune…" Kurumu said, resisting the urge to launch herself over the table at him.

"It just…" Tsukune said, trying to explain himself before Kurumu did anything to distract him. "I was wondering why I've been…" He took a deep breath and blew it out. "I've noticed that I have changed," Tsukune said. "I used to feel nervous when I was alone with you. When I had dinner with you in your dorm room, it was fun, but I was always tense. Now I am able to be alone with you and not feel like I need to be ready to run."

"Tsukune…" Kurumu tried to talk.

"Something has changed," Tsukune said without letting her interrupt. "I feel a sense of calm when I am with you. I remember when I was embarrassed to hold hands with you. I was shy and afraid. Now I can hold your hand without blushing. Now I can kiss you, and I enjoy it."

"That just means that you love me," Kurumu said with a bright smile. "It just took you a while to realize it."

"But I… I…" Tsukune sighed. "I don't want to hurt you, Kurumu, but I love Moka."

"I know you do," Kurumu said with a sour face. "I've come to accept that. But Tsukune, I love you every bit as much as she does."

"I know," Tsukune sighed.

"Do you?" Kurumu asked. "Do you really know how I feel about you?"

"Yes," Tsukune said with calm confidence. He looked her in the eyes. "I have a piece of your soul so close to my heart that…" He shook his head. "It doesn't mater. I know how you feel but that doesn't justify the way I have been acting."

"Tsukune," Kurumu asked. "Do you ever regret saving me?"

"No," Tsukune said without hesitation.

"Do you resent me? Do you wish that I had stayed out of your life?"

"No," Tsukune shook his head. "You are an important person to me."

"Tsukune," Kurumu asked. "Do you like me?"

"Yes," Tsukune said. He paused and thought about it for a moment. "Yes," he sighed. "I do like you." A tidal wave of joy and love crashed over him from his bond with Kurumu.

"Do you love me?"

"I love Moka," Tsukune insisted.

"I know you do," Kurumu pressed. "But do you love me?"

"I…" Tsukune couldn't answer that question. "I…"

"Don't try to answer," Kurumu said. She reached out and touched his hand. "You like me, and that is enough for now."

"Kurumu…" Tsukune could feel a current of sadness in her emotions.

"Finish your dinner, Tsukune," Kurumu said with a smile. "You need to keep your strength up."

"What?"

"You said you like me," Kurumu said. "I'm not going to forget it, and I'm not going to let you for get it ether. I'll get you to admit that you love me some day, but until then, you have your dancing with me and your work with the student police, and the newspaper club, and your school work. I am not going to let you fall behind just because you're too busy questioning yourself to eat." She picked up a slice of beef with her chopsticks and held it up. "Say ahhhh," Kurumu instructed.

Kurumu persisted in feeding Tsukune. She cleaned his plate, feeding everything to him one bite at a time, taking bites of her own food while he was chewing. When the man course was finished, Kurumu traded chopsticks for a fork and fed Tsukune bites of a layered German Chocolate cake. Chopsticks or fork, Kurmu only used hers to feed both of them, making each bite an indirect kiss. As much as she could, Kurumu made feeding Tsukune into a game, teasing him by pulling morsels away as he tried to bite down, or talking like she was feeding a baby. It took some effort, but she was rewarded. Kurumu had drawn Tsukune out of his brooding and got him to start smiling again.

After dinner, Kurumu pulled Tsukune onto the bed to watch a silly move with her. They cuddled close and enjoyed the unproductive time waster together. Still in their robes and swim suits, it was easy for Kurumu to touch Tsukune in little ways with skin on skin. Tsukune took the television remote from Kurumu's hand when the ending credits started.

"Awww," Kurumu pouted.

"We probably shouldn't," Tsukune sighed. "But let's go take a bath…."

"Yay!" Kurumu cheered and hugged Tsukune.

The hot water felt good. Tsukune and Kurumu washed each other's backs and hair, which Kurumu enjoyed more then Tsukune. She enjoyed the attention he was giving her when he attended to her, and she enjoyed the closeness of taking care of him in turn. As the settled into the bath together, Kurumu had to resist the desire to kiss Tsukune. She suspected that if she tried, he might let her, but there was a chance he would not, and Kurumu did not want to put him on his guard. She settled for sitting close beside him in the large tub and tried to think of a way to remove the small hand towel that Tsukune had covering his lap. She had let her own towel slip out of place while doing a lazy stretch, and had seen Tsukune take notice of her exposed state, but he had simply looked at her body once before resting his head back on the edge of the tub, looking up at the ceiling as he relaxed. Tsukne's good manners and self control was hard on a girl's pride and self confidence.

Tsukune was glad that Kurumu was behaving herself in the bath still. Her kissing attack after swimming had surprised him, more for his willingness to go along with it then for the attack itself. When she had let her towel fall away in the bath, Tsukune was more then a little sure that she had done it on purpose. The young woman had a more then nice body, but Tsukune wished she would be less blunt about reminding him of the fact. When the bath was over, Tsukune returned the favor with a small amount of malicious intent. He had asked Kurumu in the past to not be so forward. If she was determined to try and provoke him, then she should get a dose of her own medicine. Tsukune 'dropped' his towel as he was getting out of the tub.

"Don't look," Tsukune said, his naked flesh only a short distance from Kurumu's eyes.

Tsukune covered himself with one hand even as he crouched to recover the lost towel. Tsukune's admonishment to not look was ignored. Kurumu's eyes were wide and she took in every detail she could. Tsukune's hand did a poor job of covering his modesty. So caught up in sight before her, she didn't notice Tsukune's smug smile.

Kurumu regarded Tsukune as she toweled off. She had thought that Tsukun'e flash of exposure had been an accident, but now she wasn't so sure. Tsukune wasn't acting very embarrassed as he dried off, even if he had his back to her. Kurumu remembered the time he had intentionally stripped naked in front of her and wondered if Tsukune had planed his accident.

The night was still early, but they had to return to school in the morning so Tsukune and Kurumu went to bed after their bath. Kurumu turned down the lights and Tsukune, for the novelty of it, called the desk to schedule a wake-up call for the morning. Kurumu had wanted to wear something sexy to bed, but had settled for a cute set of lose pajamas. Tsukune was in his undershirt and a pair of pajama trousers. Kurumu looked at Tsukune's choice of clothing and made a mental note to do a little shopping for him when she got the chance.

"Tsukune?" Kurumu asked as she snuggled close to Tsukune in bed.

"Hmmmm?" Tsukune settled into place, one arm under Kurumu's pillow.

"Does it bother you?" Kurumu traced a circle on Tsukune's chest through the blankets. "Having a part of my soul, I mean."

"It's a little distracting," Tsukune said honestly. "But it's not a bother." After a short pause he chuckled softly.

"What?" Kurumu lifted her head to look towards Tsukune's face in the dark. "What's so funny?"

"You are," Tsukune smiled up at the ceiling. "Sometimes you get so happy or excited by the smallest things. Sometimes I'm surprised by what makes you happy, or by how excited you get."

"You can tell all of that?" Kurumu questioned.

"Yeah," Tsukune said, resting his hand on top of hers, on top of his chest. "Just touching your hand, holding it close like this, I can feel that you are a little happier… And now you're feeling a little embarrassed."

"Stop that," Kurumu protested. She gripped the sheets over Tsukune's chest and buried her face under against his side.

"It's confusing some times," Tsukune went on. "Like when we dance together. I'm having fun with you, and that makes me happy in a way. But then you get so happy and excited. Your emotions and mine mix together. Sometimes I'm not sure what emotions are mine and what is yours."

"I'm sorry," Kurumu said, looking up again. "But I'm surprised you can't tell real feelings from…"

"Your feelings are as real as mine," Tsukune said sternly. "Your happiness is every bit as real and as wonderful as my own. And now you're happy that I am taking your feelings seriously."

"Tsukune," Kurumu protested. She shoved the blankets back and climbed on top of him. "You're terrible," Kurumu accused. "You say that my feelings are real, but you don't believe me when I tell you that I love you." She thumped her fist against his chest.

"I know you love me," Tsukune said. "I will never have any doubts about that."

"Tsukune," Kurumu breathed, close to happy tears. She leaned down and Kissed Tsukune The idiot kept saying things that made her love him and want him more and more. Kurumu kissed him and wished that she could have his love.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"But master," Ruby said. "I thought that piece of Kurumu's soul was only going to be a temporary thing?"

Tsukune had returned to school Sunday morning with enough time to freshen up and relax a little before the usual study group. Moka had seized upon that time to question him closely about what had happened. Ruby had been serving breakfast, and had listened in on the whole conversation. Her question reflected Tsukune's own thoughts, which was why he had been discussing the issue with oka and Ruby both.

"I did too," Tsukune nodded. "Lord Gray said that the crystal I was stabbed with was only a temporary way of controlling somebody."

"Too bad there isn't a way to contact him," Moka said.

"Ruby," Tsukune said to her. "Would it be possible to send a message through the Board Chairman?"

"I will ask," Ruby answered.

"Thank you," Tsukune reached out and touched her arm. "I appreciate it."

Moka watched the exchange. That one touch made Ruby smile and put a sparkle in her eyes. Moka recognized the signs of a woman helplessly in love. Moka would be that dependent on a touch and a word from Tsukune to make her day, if she didn't already receive much more attention from him. Moka's detached, image conscious opinion of the exchange was that Tsukune was handling his servant well.

Tsukune was a little worried about his emotional state, and his widening deviation from what he had been raised to accept as moral, normal, and proper. He didn't want Moka to know, but he had overheard a conversation between her and Ruby. It had been educational, even if Tsukune was unsure what lesson he could have learned. Apparently Moka had noticed something about Ruby's behavior and asked her about it. Ruby had made it clear that she was glad that Moka was seeing to 'her' master's happiness, and that she was happy that 'her' master did not appear to be suffering as he had been. Ruby's words to Moka were perfectly respectable, but Tsukune could hear the acid in them. Ruby did not like sharing her master's attention. Tsukune resolved to handle the issue before it became a violent problem. The first part of that would to be show her little signs of affection and attention. Tsukune judged that if he couldn't find it in himself to see to the happiness of his friends, then he would truly be turning into a monster.