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 93

Aiko was feeling rested and ready for the day as she made her way down to breakfast. While the girls had all stayed up late, talking about boys, romance, and dreams about the future, that had not stopped them from getting a good night's sleep. And if anybody wasn't as well rested as they would have liked, a cold water face wash and a touch of makeup took care of any little lines of fatigue that remained. In contrast, the boys all arrived looking tired. She had not heard any disturbances, so Aiko guessed the boys must have stayed up all night telling ghost stories or something.

After breakfast it was time to board the bus for another day of site visits. Students migrated across the parking area to waiting buses. Among the herds, Aiko had no trouble picking out the previous night's trouble makers. A group of male students, with an impressive collection for bruises and minor lacerations, looking like they had lost a fight, were standing under the watchful eye of a matronly teacher holding a shinai. While she held the bamboo sword, obviously ready to inflict more harm / discipline, the students in question bowed and offered apologies to anybody who walked withing five meters of them.

Once on the bus, Tsukune decided he did not want to be segregated from his friends. He gave Emmy a little bump, as if knocking her out of his way, gently forcing her to share a seat with Kota. Tsukune quickly took the seat next to Moka, giving her a warm smile and getting a happy one in return. Rune followed Tsukune's example, and sat beside his girlfriend. Unfortunately, that was the end of the couples among the group, and the limit for mixing the genders casually. But what Tsukune had done had been noticed. It was Ruby who started to take the mixing of groups one step further. She made eye contact with Tsukune and a small hand gesture to where some boys from Kota's club were sitting. Tsukune gave her a smile and a nod.

"Excuse me," Ruby said to the pair of suddenly shy young men. "My I share this seat with one of you?"

The pare of male students got to their feet so quickly that they nearly jumped to the ceiling of the bus. Ruby neatly displaced the one from the isle seat, trapping the other by the window when she sat down. Her new companion sat down looking like he didn't know if he should feel lucky or afraid. The student that had lost his seat moved to an open seat further back. Kurumu knew how Tsukune felt when it came to getting along with others, and had noticed what he had started. Not wanting to lose ground to Ruby, Kurumu abandoned her seat beside Yukari in favor of the one next to the relocated boy. In the end, the drama club sat together, a normal mixing of genders for them, while the Newspaper Club mixed with the Paranormal Research Club.

Aiko watched the strange mixing of seats and wondered what was going on. Her group of classmates was the only one sitting just by themselves. She turned to look at Tsukune and Moka with questions clear on her face.

"It is a part of our school's goals," Tsukune said. "We have some very diverse students who need to learn to get along with others."

"It is as I said yesterday," Moka added. "Many of us come from privileged or secluded lives before coming to school. One of the main reasons for our school is to help us to learn to get along."

"I see," Aiko said, settling back in her seat. She had something new to think about.

The first stop of the day was Nijo Castle. A tour guide welcomed the group and showed them around, explaining the historical uses of the different buildings and the symbolism of the designs and artwork. There was beautiful art and history everywhere the students looked. Aiko tried to associate the traits of a proper lady were supposed to embrace with the martial history of the castle. The Paranormal Research Club listened to the history of the place while looking for hints of the unusual. The Newspaper Club enjoyed the trip and shared comments about what they might put in the next school paper.

The tour involved a lot of walking and standing. Understanding the history of the castle involved understand at least part of the history of Japan itself. The tour guide was very thorough in his explanations, so much so that none of the students asked any questions when offered to do so. After walking through the buildings and gardens the tour ended at last, leaving the foot weary students to take a break, just in sight of the gift shop.

A van from the tour company met the students as the made their way back to the bus. The catered lunch was prepackaged boxed meals with a drink; a choice of bottled water, tea, or juice. The students were given enough time to eat and visit the restrooms before it was time to board the bus and move on to the next stop. Tsukune made sure to sit with Kokoa for the second part of the trip. The young vampire didn't look happy with his decision, and after a single punch to Tsukune's shoulder, looked stubbornly out the window. Their were more girls then boys in the group, so even getting the students to mingle a bit meant that there would be students of the all girl group sitting with their own classmates. Tsukune didn't worry over that, just getting the students to mix around as much as they did was enough of an achievement.

The second and last stop of the day was the Heian Palace. The former residence of the Emperor of Japan when Kyoto was the capitol city. The palace had been destroyed during Japan's violent history, and rebuilt in honor and recognition of the past. The students were not given a formal tour this time Instead, they were given a booklet and a time to meet back at the bus, and told to act appropriately. With the freedom to go where they chose, the students split into smaller groups. Emmy and Kota went off together, with Yukari and a tall, skinny young man from the PRC. Rune and Yumi joined a handful of girls from Aiko's class, while the rest of the Drama Club went their own way together. Kokoa dragged Moka with her to join Aiko. Tsukune found himself alone with Mizore and Kurumu. Each one of them took one of Tsukune's hands and the set off to explore the palace grounds together.

Touring the grounds and buildings was interesting. Tsukune enjoyed the history represented by the rebuilt structures. If he had been alone with ether of his companions it would have been a nice date. Tsukune walked with Kurumu and Mizore holding his hands, making some things a little awkward. Kurumu and Mizore would point things out, and occasionally try to pull Tsukune one way or another. The tug-o-wars were something Tsukune was used to. What was more frustrating was when the two young women would walk on different sides of a post or pillar, pulling Tsukune directly into it. He didn't believe that they were that inconsiderate of him, but rather that they were trying to make him decide which girl he was going to hold on to and follow instead of walking into something. Tsukune kept a running count in his head, switching back and forth to keep it all even. He resisted the urge to smile whenever Kurumu or Mizore smirked at each other, because he knew they were keeping count as well.

Tsukune gave a contented sigh as he went with Mizore and Kurmu into the palace gardens. The area was calm and soothing. The still waters reflected the blue sky and the occasional fluffy white cloud. The carefully kept greenery was a blend of natural growth and preplanned design. Tsukune, with his friends, were crossing a bridge to an island, looking for a place to sit and relax when he saw something out of place.

It didn't appear significant in any way at first, just something colorful on the ground. Tsukune gave it a longer look and saw that it was a piece of trash, a wrapper from some somebody's snack. It was moving slowly over the across the path over the island ahead. That bit of litter in the otherwise clean and restful place bother Tsukune. It was evidence of somebody's carelessness. It was a little irrational, Tsukune knew, but that piece of litter irritated him.

"Excuse me for a moment," Tsukune said to his companions as he pulled his hands free.

Tsukune quickened his pace to reach the drifting litter before to got out of reach. He reached the end of the bridge as the colorful wrapper slipped past the edge of the path. The breeze was carrying the litter over the ground towards the water. Tsukune did a quick scan to see if he was being observed before making a sprint after his target. He didn't want to be wondering off the path, possibly marking up the manicured lawn. Perversely, the wrapper was gaining momentum, taunting Tsukune as it approached the water. Tsukune reached for his youki, giving himself a flash of speed. His feet left the path, he felt a chill brush over him as he crossed the grass. It was a race down the gentle slope to the islands edge. Tsukune reached out his hand, and was rewarded by the feel and sound of the dry wrapper crinkling up in his grip.

With a satisfied sigh, Tsukune came to a stop, the wrapper caught in his fist. With nothing else to do with it at the moment, Tsukune put the piece of litter in his pocket. He started to turn back towards the path with a sense of accomplishment. A presence suddenly washed over Tsukune.

The presence that Tsukune felt was different from anything he had ever experienced. Tsukune knew the feeling of Inner Moka's youki, and this new presence was many times greater. Tsukune turned slowly to face the presence, nervous about what he would find.

Tsukune was surprised to see a woman standing up the slope from where he was. She was dressed in a long kimono of many colors with ornaments in her long, dark hair, and in the fabric of her clothing, that sparkled and glittered in the sunlight. The woman's presence washed away Tsukune's awareness of the world around them, as if they were alone in a separate place. Looking at the woman, a storm of emotions rushed through Tsukune. It was like a reflection of every feeling of love and affection he had ever felt for his family, friends, girlfriends, his schools, and even his neighborhood Tsukune had ever known were in some part shared with the woman before him. Tsukune took in the details of her appearance as best he could. The woman was neither tall not short, she just was. Her face showed the signs of age, but she was somehow still young and beautiful at the same time. A woman of contradictions, her kimono was elegant, but Tsukune could see burns and stains upon it, as if a part of its design. Her graceful hands showed wear from a lifetime of labor, and were spotted with blood. All that the woman had been through was a part of who she was. The woman looked at Tsukune and he could feel the pressure of her awareness fall upon him. In less then a heartbeat, the woman had Tsukune's measure. She smiled serenely and a warmth surrounded him.

"Welcome, my son," The woman said. "I am pleased to see you. Tell me, how do you fair, my son?"

Tsukune was stunned by what he was experiencing. The woman's voice sounded like his own mother's. Her grammar were very traditional and formal. Her words, her very presence left no doubt that the woman genuinely cared about him.

"Pardon my intrusion," Tsukune said with a low bow. "I am well, mother." Tsukune didn't know why he had decided to address the woman as 'mother,' only that it felt right for some reason. "I hope that you are well."

"I am well," The woman said. "If a little lonely. So few wish to see me any more." The woman gave a weary sigh. "Tell me, my son, who are you."

It was a command and not a request. Tsukune felt the weight of her presence behind her words and had no choice but to answer. Tsukune told the woman who he was. He didn't just give his name, but recited his family tree as far back as he could, which was many generations more then he ever thought he could possibly know, as if the woman's command had awakened memories from within his very spirit.

"You carry the hearts of many, my son," The woman spoke again. "You hold their hopes and fears and ambitions beside your own. Come," The woman instructed, holding her arms open to Tsukune.

Tsukune didn't know why he couldn't deny the power of the woman's summons. He didn't remember taking a single step, but somehow closed the distance between himself and her. Her arms closed around him in an embrace that nearly smothered him. Feelings filled Tsukune and images danced in his mind. His memories were drawn out while hers stormed in. A part of Tsukune rejoiced at her embrace, while another was cold with fear.

"My son," The woman said as she released him. "I know your heart. I call upon you now. I have need of you. Will you lend me your strength and protect my children?"

Tsukune sank to his knees, tears in his eyes. This woman's acknowledgment of him filled him with joy and a sense of worth. He bowed low before her.

"I will serve you, Mother," Tsukune said, caught up in his feelings.

"Then accept my token," The woman said, placing a braided silk cord around Tsukune's neck. "And be bound by the strength of your spirit unto me. I will give your name to those that will hear me, so that your place will be known."

Tsukune felt the cord bush against his neck, then felt the weight of something hanging from it. Before he could examine what he had been given, he felt the woman's touch his head. Her warmth flooded through him again, and then her presence faded. Tsukune felt dizzy as awareness of his surroundings returned.

"Tsukune?" Kurumu called out in a worried voice, her feet falling heavily as she hurried closer.

Tsukune fought down the dizziness and stumbled to his feet. He saw Kurumu coming at him in a run, tears were in her eyes and a churning sea of emotions within her heart. Kurumu threw herself at Tsukune, hugging him tightly. She had been so afraid, because for a single moment, her bond with him had disappeared. It was as if he had died. She didn't know what happened, but for the moment, she was glad that he was safe. Tsukune hugged her back for a moment, welcoming the chance to get his mental balance back.

"Tsukune?" Mizore said, drawing his attention to her. She had questions, but didn't know what to ask.

"Something happened," Tsukune said. "I just don't know what."

XxxxXXxx

Moka tried to enjoy herself, but missed being with Tsukune. She didn't mind touring the palace with Kokoa, as long as she refrained from making acidic comments about boys in general and Tsukune in particular. When it was finally time for everybody to return to the bus, Moka was looking forward to seeing Tsukune again. She didn't want to admit it to anybody but him, but being out in the human world without him made her nervous. She always had the nagging fear that he would decide to return to his old life, hoping to find a measure of peace, and leave her alone again. When she saw Tsukune standing beside the bus, Moka felt herself smiling. The smile wilted when she saw the way Kurumu and Mizore were watching over him. Moka could tell that something had happened.

Without anybody saying a word, the Newspaper Club could all tell that something had happened to Tsukune. He tried to act cheerful and relaxed but the tension around his eyes was obvious to those who knew him. Tsukune refused to let his own problems effect anybody else more then he had to, so as he boarded the bus he assumed as much as the casual and open attitude as he could from that morning.

"May I sit here?" Tsukune asked Aiko, gesturing to the empty place beside her.

"What?" Aiko was surprised. "Yes, please." She surprised herself with how quickly she agreed to let the young man sit beside her.

As Tsukune sat down with a smile, Aiko felt herself blushing. She did not know how to talk to a boy, and was wondering if he could tell how nervous she was.

"Have you been enjoying your trip?" Tsukune asked.

"Yes, thank you," Aiko answered politely.

"That's good," Tsukune nodded. "If you don't mind, I would like to talk to you about your trip, and your school. It will be for my school paper."

"I..." Aiko was at a loss for words.

"I think it would be interesting for many of my school mates," Tsukune continued. "If you don't want to talk about your school, then you can talk about anything you like. It would be good for my school mates to read about different lives and perspectives."

"I.. I wouldn't know what to talk about," Aiko said, looking at her lap.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Tsukune asked.

It was a simple question to start with. Tsukune asked small, casual questions, letting Aiko answer them at her own pace. Before she realized it, Aiko was talking to Tsukune as if he was just another classmate. He coaxed her confidence, not just in him, but in herself as well. Amid the general chatter of the students, Aiko found herself talking freely about some of the things she hoped to do, during the trip, back at school, and even after graduation. By the time the bus returned to the hotel, Aiko had shared more about herself with Aono Tsukune then she had ever though she would with any boy. The thought of talking so freely with a boy she hardly knew made her nervous. Realizing that she had shared so much of herself made her excited. Aiko reflected on what the other girls had said about relationships, that it was sharing that made it special. As she got off the bus, Aiko cast a quick look to where Tsukune stood, and wondered what he would surprise her with next.