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 96

Aiko packed her bags in the morning feeling tired in mind and body. The 'Test of Courage' had taken a lot more out of her then she had expected. As tired as she was, sleep had been elusive, visiting briefly again and again, only to flee at the slightest sound. Aiko blamed Rina for her restless night. The other girl had pointed out to Aiko that Aono Tsukune had mentioned putting the 'Test of Courage' together for Aiko's benefit. The boy had been listening to Aiko and had wanted to do something for her, Rina pointed out. It didn't help that Aono was the kind of person Aiko's parents considered acceptable. He was tall, good looking, confident and he certainly felt like he had strong arms. He apparently went to some kind of elite school, where he was respected and admired. Aiko saw for herself that he was a natural leader. He was just the kind of man that she would like to be able to introduce to her parents. All the while that sleep had eluded her, Aiko had found her mind drifting back to Aono Tsukune.

Aiko didn't think she was in love with Aono, because she was too practical to fall in love with someone she hardly knew. Aiko did wish that she would have a chance to get to know him, but didn't think that was likely. They were both returning to their different schools, and their different lives. Even so, Aiko though that she had leaned something from her time around Aono and his friends. His friends had more confidence then she did, or anybody she knew within her school or social circle. People like Rina tried to act confident, but even Rina had been shaken, changed by her exposure Aono and his friends.

As Aiko finished packing up her things for the trip back to school, she smiled. A plan was forming in her mind. She had an opportunity, and Aiko decided to follow the example set by Aono and his companions. She was going to take charge of her opportunities.

Xxxx

Kota was also suffering from a restless night. His friend, his best friend, Kota amended in his mind, had shown him something fantastic. Tsukune had the kind of proof that Kota and the Paranormal Research Club were looking for, but had sworn Kota to secrecy. What made everything more frustrating was the fact that Emmy, the person Kota liked to call his girlfriend, had known Tsukune's big secret, but had never said a thing about it. Kota found the whole situation frustrating, but wasn't upset over it. He had to respect Emmy and Tsukune for not giving away other peoples' secrets. Looking back, Kota realized that Tsukune had been trying not to tell Kota anything for a while.

Kota smiled as he remembered the "Test of Courage.' Now that he knew the big secret, it was easier to figure out how the 'haunting' of the hotel's second floor hand been arranged. That younger girl was probably some kind of supernatural... person... or whatever the right word was. She had been waving a 'wand' at the very start of the 'Test of Courage.' If she was actually able to use magic, then the impossible lighting and effect would probably come from her. Of course that made the rest of the 'haunting' suspect. How much had been illusion and how much had been real would be difficult to figure out. Kota thought about Tsukune's friends, or were they girlfriends? A vampire that bit him was a scary thought. Were any of the others youkai as well? The one with the large chest and the wings, Kota suspected was something other then human. It would explain the wings, but Kota wondered what kind of monster would look so sexy and act so forward. Emmy had practically growled when the other girl had approached Kota during the 'Test.' He would have to do a little research when he got back to school.

As Kota got ready for the bus and then train ride back to his school, he wondered how much Tsukune wasn't telling him. He wondered what Emmy was still keeping a secret as well. Kota thought back to all the mangas and animes he had had gone through and wondered if Emmy might by a youkai as well, and if she was, what kind. He doubted she was some kind of catgirl or other sexy creature from his boyhood fantasies, but it was still something he thought he would have fun speculating about.

Xx xx xx xX

Tsukune couldn't help but smirk as he crossed the parking area of the hotel. The Youkai Academy bus was sitting between a sleek bus with the crest of the all girls school, and a colorful chartered bus from some random company. The older styled bus stood out, in contrast to the schools mission to help its students learn to blend in. The remaining students were gathering around the buses, saying good byes and in some cases trading contact information. Tsukune had been the last male student out of their room, and the last from the Youkai academy out of the hotel. Tsukune was almost to his friends when he heard someone calling out to him.

"Aono," Aiko called out to him as he moved towards the buses.

Tsukune saw the girl calling out to him. It was Ogono Aiko from the all girls school. Tsukune had identified her, at least in his own mind, as the leader among the human female students. Tsukune waved to her in greeting.

"Ogono," Tsukune said to her politely. "How are you doing today?"

"Good morning," Aiko said. "I'm fine. How are you doing today? Did you get enough sleep?"

"I'm fine," Tsukune answered with a casual smile.

"I wanted to thank you for everything," Aiko said as she reached into her pocket. "You and your friends really made my trip special. I was hoping that we could stay in touch." She pulled out her cell phone. "Let me have your information."

"Eh... Alright," Tsukune couldn't think of a reason to deny her request so he traded numbers and email addresses with her.

Aiko programed Tsukune number into her phone with practiced skill. She called his phone, just enough to make it chirp, testing the number. She then sent a text message to herself with his information, so that if something happened to her phone in the near future she would be able to regain the information as soon as she replaced the phone. Once the exchange was done, Aiko carefully put her phone in her bag. With butterflies in her stomach, she readied herself for her next move.

"I'll be looking forward to hearing from you," Aiko said.

"Ahhhh," Tsukune suddenly felt nervous, and keenly aware of how far he was from where his friends were standing. "There is no cell signal or computers at my school."

"They must be very serious about studying," Aiko observed.

"Yes," Tsukune agreed, glad that he did not have to explain why his school was so isolated.

Aiko quickly set her bags down and pulled out a small journal. She found a pen and wrote out a note. This was not something she expected to do, but it actually went well with her plan. She stole a quick look at Tsukune, and one towards his girlfriends, as she tore a page out of her diary before putting it away. She offered the piece of paper to Tsukune.

"This is my address," Aiko said. "I hope that you can write to me."

"Sure," Tsukune reached out to accept the piece of paper.

"Tsukune," Aiko said his name as informally and as friendly as she could. When he had closed his fingers on the note, she had caught Tsukune's hand with both of her. "I hope that you will be my friend. And when you call, I would like it if you would use my first name. In fact, you can call me Aiko from now on."

"I.. Ahhh..." Tsukune stammered.

Aiko felt a rush of excitement. She had made the calm and confident young man blush. She let go of him with one hand and quickly reached into her pocket where she had a folded note ready. She took it in hand and leaned in closer to Tsukune.

"I really want to be your friend," Aiko said in a low voice. "You have a way of making me feel special."

Tsukune opened his mouth, but whatever he was going to say was lost. Aiko quickly pulled herself closer, and while giving Tsukune a loose hug, and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. She let go of Tsukune and leaned back just in time to see him move backwards very quickly.

"Hey!" Tsukune protested.

"Excuse me," Moka said in a firm voice.

"What do you think you're doing?" Kurumu questioned.

The pair of young women each had a hold of Tsukune and had yanked him away from Aiko, hugging his arms possessively while staring down the human girl. The scary atmosphere of the haunted rooms of the night before suddenly returned, hitting Aiko with the chill of impending doom. Even as she faced the two women in front of her, Aiko could feel the presence of someone behind her.

"I was just thanking him for all that he did during our trip," Aiko said, keeping to the script. While she did not have a lot of experience with men, she was very good at planing ahead and applying social courtesies on demand. "And I would also like to thank you as well. I have learned a lot from you these last few days, and I hope that I can follow your examples in the future." Aiko gave them a smile and a modest bow. "I hope that we can all be friends."

Moka's frown softened. She was acute enough to know what the human woman was doing. Aiko was disarming the potential conflict by including herself and Kurumu in her expression of admiration and friendship. If she was friends with the group, that would include Tsukune. Politically it would be a poor decision to dismiss Aiko's offer of friendship, as much as Moka wanted to keep the human woman from her Tsukune. Moka offered the woman a cool smile and held out her hand.

"Tsukune had taught me that the most unexpected people can become friends," Moka said.

Aiko felt a touch of relief as she reached for the offered hand. She really did want to make friends with Tsukune's girlfriends, whatever their true relationship was, and only partially because it would make it easier for her to by Tsukune's friend. Aiko's relief fled when Moka's hand closed around hers. The other woman's had was cold to the touch, and she had a strong grip.

"Before Tsukune," Moka said, still smiling. "I had only known how to relate to people based on strength."

Aiko understood that she was treading more dangerous ground then she had guessed. Her hand hurt, and even as her own fingers were starting to turn red, Aiko could tell that Moka was only using a fraction of her strength. She remembered the self defense classes her school recommended for the daughters of rich or important families, and resolved to take them more seriously.

"Before now," Aiko said, smiling to hide a grimace of pain. "I had always selected friends that I thought my parents would approve of, but I think your friendship would be more valuable. I hope that we can support each other in the future."

"That would be nice," Moka said, releasing the human's hand.

"I could always use more friends," Kurumu said with a wide grin. She let go of Tsukune and pulled out her cell phone. "I am sure we will have so much to share in the future. Let me have your information."

The pair exchanged contact information. Aiko had expected a cooler reaction from the big breasted woman, but Kurumu surprised her. She accepted her information with the same care she had Tsukune's.

"You know," Kurumu said, approaching Aiko. "It would be good to have somebody to talk to out side of school." She gave the human woman a gentle hug, while pressing her chest against hers. "Before Tsukune I never had any real friends. Girls were always so jealous of me, and boys were just so silly the way the fell all over themselves trying to impress me."

"I understand," Aiko said with a hint of nervousness.

While Kurumu's words were lighthearted, her eyes and body language were far less friendly. That chest rub was meant to remind Aiko that she would never be able to seduce Tsukune with her body. The look in Kurumu's eyes was hard, promising retribution if Aiko ever betrayed the offered friendship.

"Kurumu," Tsukune called out to her. "That isn't necessary." He could feel her jealousy and anger towards Aiko, and didn't want her acting rashly for no reason.

"I'm just being friendly," Kurumu said, letting go of the human woman and turning back to him.

"Friendly is good," Tsukune said. "Because we all need friends. Isn't that right, Mizore? Yukari?"

"Yes," Mizore said from behind Aiko, making the human twitch.

"Tsukune," Yukari protested. "You're too nice."

"I thought you liked it when I was nice," Tsukune chided her gently.

Aiko was confused by the intricate play around Tsukune. They had to be close, she realized, for them to be saying so much to each other, while using so few words. She found the idea of such close friendships touching, and made her want to understand these people all the more.

"I look forward to hearing from all of you," Aiko said honestly. "Thank you for everything." She offered a small bow before snatching up her bags and hurrying off.

Aiko retreated to the security of her own class mates. Her interaction with Tsukune and his friends had been watched closely. When she rejoined her friends from her school, Aiko was welcomed with smiles, and some mild cheering. Rina was one of the ones who smiled the most.

"Hey," Rina said. "Aiko, will you share Aono's number with me?"

XXX XXX XXX

"Ahhh," Tsukune sighed as he took his seat on the school's bus. It would just be a short time before the bus would be safely back under the barrier. Tsukune had enjoyed his time around the other students, sharing normal activities and making friends, but the fear of something going violently wrong had never been far from his mind.

"Ooofff, Hey!" Yukari protested.

The young witch had been maneuvering to sit down beside Tsukune. Kurumu threw a hip against her, wanting the seat beside him for herself. Yukari pushed back, not wanting to give ground.

"Hey!" Both girls protested together as they suddenly went down, slipping on a sudden sheet of ice on the floor.

"Fufufufu," Mizore laughed softly, starting to move towards Tsukune.

"Excuse me," Moka stalled the snow maiden, touching her shoulder lightly.

"Senpai," A girl from the Drama Club said as she slipped into the seat beside Tsukune. "Did you sleep well?" She had a smile on her face as she tried to ignore the dark looks from Tsukune's harem. Her face was becoming more pale by the moment, and she was starting to sweat.

"Yes, Thank you," Tsukune answered, trying not to imagine an impending scene of bloodshed. "And you...?

"Yamadashi Eris," The girl introduced herself. "Second year. Yes, I had a good rest, when I could finally fall asleep. I was a little excited after the performance last night."

"I am glad that you had fun," Tsukune said.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something later?" Eris asked.

"Alright," Tsukune gave her a nod.

"Thank you," Eris beamed. She then abandoned her seat beside Tsukune, looking relieved to escape.

Before another scuffle for the seat could break out, Kokoa plopped down beside Tsukune. She crossed her arms and glared at him, daring him to protest. Her sister, and the others made strangled noises of surprise.

"Good morning," Tsukune said politely.

"Morning," Kokoa grunted.

Tsukune settled in for the ride while everybody else did the same. He knew he was going to be in for a busy time once they were back to school. Until then, Tsukune was content to let Kokoa glare at him in peace.