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 97

Tsukune stood beside his bags as we watched everybody else gather their belongs and finish unloading the bus. Once everything and everybody had been accounted for the teachers departed and the bus driver closed the doors and started to drive off. Tsukune did a quick double check of his friends and school mates, seeing happy, if tired, faces everywhere he looked.

"Yes," Tsukune gave a shout pumping his fist into the air.

This of course attracted the attention of the members of the Newspaper Club. They threw him questioning looks. It was Kokoa that voiced the question.

"What is with you?" Kokoa asked.

"We just had a club trip," Tsukune said with a wide grin. "Where nobody got hurt, nobody was in danger of getting kidnapped, and nobody had to fight to stop some insane plan." He gave his friends a wide smile. "I got to have a fun trip with my friends, just like any normal student." He picked up his bags. "And now I get to relax in my own bed, without any bandages, knowing the people important to me are safe and sound." He was still smiling, and almost dancing, as he started back to the village.

"Ummmm?" Kokoa looked around, confused.

"It's good that Tsukune is happy," Moka observed. "Right?"

"Maybe he's a little too happy?" Yukari said with a frown.

"What are you talking about?" Kurumu questioned.

"Tsukune always wanted a quiet, normal life," Yukari said as she gathered her bags. "How many human girls did he talk to on the trip?"

"Tsukune's not like that," Moka insisted.

"Why would he be interested in them when we're here for him?" Kurumu added.

"Because they are normal humans," Mizore said, taking up her bags.

"Well that would be good then," Kokoa sniffed. "He could go back to the human world and leave us alone. Right Onee-chan?"

Kokoa realized she was talking to herself. The others had grabbed their belongings and were hurrying to catch up to Tsukune. Kokoa made a sour face as she grabbed her things. With a huff, she started for the dorms.

XXXXXX

Tsukune walked with the others back to the village. He was glad that the trip was over and everyone was safe and healthy. He would be able to relax for the rest of the day, Tsukune figured, and then it would be time to get back to work. The newspaper club would have a lot of work to get done for their next paper, he should check in with the Student Police, and as soon as Summer break was over, it would be time to start getting ready for the school festival. The thought of taking time to relax was tempting, but as Tsukune thought about what he had to look forward to, he revised his plans. He returned to his little house and dropped his bags on the floor with a sigh.

"Ruby," Tsukune said as soon as the door was closed. "You did well. Your behavior during the trip was exactly what I hoped for."

"Master," Ruby's eyes were wide and she could help but smile. Tsukune, her master was pleased with her. Pleased enough to say so.

Tsukune gave Ruby a moment to feel happy and proud. He was never all that comfortable with the master-servant relationship, but he understood why it was important to her, in part at least. In a normal situation, Tsukune would reward Ruby with a day off, or maybe a cash bonus, but he knew that was not what she wanted. Tsukune was not in the mood to try to play some punishment game, so he decided on a crude, but probably very effective reward for his servant. He crossed the short distance to where she stood.

"You deserve a reward," Tsukune declared.

"Master," Ruby said, acting modest. "I was just..."

*smack*

"Don't argue with me," Tsukune said weakly.

Ruby felt her heart leap in her chest. Tsukune's slap across the face was not very hard, but it had been enough to sting a little and make her cheek warm. She looked up in surprise, in time to see Tsukune reaching for her. He grabbed her by the hair, gripping it tightly, and pulled her into a kiss.

"Unpack our things," Tsukune instructed the breathless Ruby, turning away from her to hide his own blush. "And after that, invite Moka and Kurumu to supper. I am going to go check in with the Student Police."

"Yes master," Ruby said, a little dreamily.

XXX XXX

The student police, Tsukune was glad to learn, had an unremarkable weekend. The school had not been burned down, blown up, or otherwise damaged in his absence. The student body had not killed itself off. And if there had been any incidents of predation, nobody was reported missing yet. Over at the substation, the dorm life was continuing normally. By the time Tsukune returned to his house, Ruby was working on dinner. Tsukune cleaned up and waited in his room for Moka and or Kurumu to arrive.

While he was waiting, Tsukune read the note that Aiko had slipped into his pocket. He was amused at her creativity, and a little alarmed at her sudden interest in him. He realized that if had had been as human as her, he probably would not have noticed the light touch of her placing the note in his pocket. But his extra human senses and being frequently exposed to danger had made Tsukune more alert about his person, especially when a female suddenly got close to him.

"Tsukune," The letter said. "Please do not think poorly of me for being so forward, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you have done for me. You have made my trip more memorable then I could have ever hoped. You offered me a friendship that I never expected, and I am surprised by my own feelings when I think of you. I hope that you and I can get to know each other better, and see each other again some day. With warmest affections, Aiko."

Tsukune knew the note was a time bomb waiting to explode in his face. It had Aiko's school address, email address, and cellphone number at the bottom. Tsukune guessed that Aiko had written the note in advance, because she had shared her contact information with him twice now. As much as a potential for trouble the note was, Tsukune knew what he was going to do about it. He just hoped things didn't get out of hand.

XXXX

Ruby had been careful when inviting Moka and Kurumu to supper to let hem both know that the other was also invited. She did not want ether of them being surprised that they would not be alone with Tsukune, and likely causing a scene that would disrupt the peace of Tsukune's home. In spite of Ruby's precaution there was still a tense atmosphere hanging over the table. The small talk was minimal and the meal was eaten quickly. Tsukune broke the tension while Ruby was clearing away dishes.

"Before you start," Tsukune said, reaching onto a pocket. "Let me share this..."

"Before we start what?" Moka said, a little unhappy about Kurumu's presence. She thought that it was rather insensitive of Tsukune to invite the 'Other Woman' to the same dinner as her.

"Are you hoping we will do something together?" Kurumu asked, wishing she didn't have to share Tsukune's attention. Was he still that uncertain that he needed Moka to keep him in line?

"I know that you will have questions," Tsukune continued. He handed Moka Aiko's note. "And I thought you would like to get answers without it being a whole club event."

Moka accepted the note and read it through. She felt her temper rise and had to resist the urge to rip the note apart. She very deliberately handed the note to Kurumu.

"Tsukune," Moka said in a voice like a razor; smooth, but with a sharp edge. "Did you enjoy your time talking with human girls?"

"A little," Tsukune said. He knew the question was going to come out, and wanted it settled sooner instead of later. The note didn't help, but he didn't want to be accused of hiding anything later.

Kurumu read through the note while Moka asked her question. She crumpled the note in her fist and gave Tsukune a hard look. She had thought that letting him out of her site was a bad choice, now she was sure of it.

"What was it your liked," Moka continued questioning. "When you were talking with the human girls?"

"It was interesting," Tsukune saide honestly, but carefully. "To hear about their different lives. If I had gone to a human school, like Kota, I would have been to afraid to talk to them. It was fun to hang out with the human guys too. It was fun being able to relax with people that didn't think I was some kind of guardian."

Moka looked at Tsukune and thought about what he said. If she had met him during her time in the human world, she would not have been so lonely. She wouldn't have started hating humans. Even at Youkai Academy, Tuskune was the shining light of her world, where without him, she would had been alone, and likely the victim of some of the other students, until she returned to her father's house. Moka shuddered at the thought of what her life would have been if not for Tsukune. She looked towards Kurumu, and saw that the succubus was going through some of the same kind of thoughts. Tsukune had helped both women find true friendship, in addition to love. While they would probably be rivals for Tsukune's heart forever, Kurumu and Moka had become close friends in all other aspects of their lives. It was Tsukune that had made that possible.

"Tsukune," Moka said in a firm voice. "I admit that I was nervous, and maybe a little jealous. I was afraid that you might chose a human girlfriend. I am sorry. I have not always been the girlfriend you deserve, and I hope that you will forgive my shortcomings."

"Moka," Tsukune shook his head. "Don't say such..."

"Tsukune," Moka cut him off. "You have to learn to ask for help. I am trying to learn to let go of my mistrust and my fear of being alone."

Tsukune didn't say anything at first. He looked at Moka and considered her words. She was right about him needing to learn to ask for help. He kept things inside because he was afraid of looking weak, and realized that Moka had her own self doubts.

"We will support each other," Tsukune said. "In trying to overcome our shortcomings."

"Tsukune," Moka smiled, glad to think that he understood her.

"Alright," Kurumu sighed. "We know you won't just run off and leave us. But just because we trust you, it doesn't mean we will trust any girls that come around you. Look what happened to us." Kurumu made a vague circular motion. "You were nice to us, and now we all want to marry you. How do we know the same thing is not going to happen everywhere you go?"

"I don't think anything like that is going to happen with normal human women," Tsukune said.

"And why not?" Kurumu pressed.

"Because the friends that tell me they love me have all, well..." Tsukune cleared his throat. "Never mind."

"Tsukune, what were you going to say?" Moka asked.

"Oh no, Tsukune. We have all what?" Kurumu demanded. "I want to hear it."

"I was going to say that you all, well..." Tsukune scratched at the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed. "On the first day of school here, Moka knocked me down with her bicycle, sucked my blood, and pushed me against a wall so hard I was nearly knocked out. Inner Moka sent me flying with her kicks a number of times."

"Moka," Kurumu scolded. "You're too mean."

"I didn't realizes Tsukune was only human back then," Moka protested. "I didn't mean to hurt him."

"Kurumu," Tsukune continued. "You tried to charm and then enslave me, and when that didn't work you tried to kill Moka and I."

"I was upset," Kurumu blushed, looking down. "Nobody ever resisted me before, so I didn't know how to handle it."

"You still don't," Moka criticized her.

"Yukari bashed me with pans," Tsukune resumed his list. "Because she didn't want me around Moka. Ruby tried to kill me when we first met. Even Mizore nearly froze me to death the first day we talked to each other." Tsukune gave a dark laugh.

"Tsukue," Moka protested.

"That's awful," Kurumu added.

"But you see it, don't you?" Tsukune smiled at them. "Even if I could have a normal human life again, why would I want to? You have all stood by me when I needed your strength. You have all become the best friends I could ever wish for. And because of all of you, I can be more then I ever dreamed. I may not know what I will do after I graduate, but the life I used to imaging, an anonymous salary-man with a little house and a quiet family, would never be enough for me now. Now I dream of a big house and an important career. A human girlfriend might want to share that dream, but she would have never inspired it."

"Tsukune," Moka sighed. She wasn't sure how she should feel. Tsukune said such wonderful things, but he had just reminded her of the pain she had caused him. Well she couldn't undo the past, but she could make it up to him, if Kurumu would just give them some privacy. She glanced towards the other woman.

"Oh Tsukune," Kurumu said with a pout. It just wasn't fair how he made her just want to smother him with love, even after pointing out that she had tried to kill him. Well she was just a spoiled girl then. Now she was more then ready to prove that she didn't want to kill him, and was very much a woman, if only she could get him alone. She cast a look towards Moka.

The two young women looked each other in the eye for just a moment, but it was enough. An understanding passed between them, and a challenge. With nearly identical smiles, they turned their attention to Tsukune. The polite conversation that followed was all small talk. The pair were perfectly polite and sweet to each other. Tsukune noticed their behavior and was careful to keep any likely weapons out of their reach. He smiled politely and considered his options carefully. He recognized from the way the pair were acting as a kind of fight; a contest between them.

With careful attention to his every motion, Tsukune pretended to yawn. He didn't do a loud yawn and stretch. Instead he tried to act like was fighting a yawn, finally covering his mouth with one hand as he let it out.

"Excuse me," Tsukune said. "It is getting late. I was so worried that something would go wrong during the trip that I didn't sleep well." Tsukune did not mention that he was worried that Mizore would be discovered in his futon. "We can meet up tomorrow and start on the next paper."

Neither Moka or Kurumu were happy with the way the evening ended. Both of them had been hoping for some private time with Tsukune. As they left his house to return to their own places, they both took a little comfort in knowing that the other was also disappointed.

Tsukune was glad that he had avoided any fighting. He was about to perform his nightly hygiene rituals when he heard a knock at the front door. Half expecting ether Moka or Kurumu to have returned, Tsukune opened the door. He was surprised to see Yukari looking up at him.

"Good evening," Tsukune said.

"I need to talk to you," Yukari said, pushing her way into his front room.

Tsukune suppressed a groan as he closed the front door. He turned around to discover Yukari was not in sight. He found her a moment later as she poked through the house.

"Looking for something?" Tsukune asked with a hint of irritation.

"I'm making sure that the boob monster isn't hiding somewhere," Yukari said. She gave a little huff and returned to the living room.

"What did you want to talk about?" Tsukune asked. He could already guess that she was there to do her own interrogation over how he and the human girls had gotten along. That, or she was going to try and push her notions of romance at him yet again.

"You know you are not being fair," Yukari declared.

"Excuse me?" Tsukune questioned. He carefully remained standing and refrained from offering Yukari a seat, or any refreshments. She was getting to old for her spoiled pushiness to be cute, and didn't want to encourage her.

"You know what I am talking about," Yukari insisted. "You flirt with Kurumu, spending nights with her away from the school, all the while Moka and I are waiting for you. During the club trip, you never once tried to sneak in to see us, and I know you could if you wanted to. You went out of your way to be nice to those human girls. How do you think Moka and I felt about that?"

"If you had been here just a few minutes ago," Tsukune said with a small frown. "You could have asked Moka yourself. She and Kurumu were here talking with me about the trip."

"Really?" Yukari said. "But why was Kurumu here?"

"Because her feelings are important to me," Tsukune said.

"But you love Moka," Yukari insisted.

"Yes I do," Tsukune agreed.

"You can't have a three-way with Moka and Kurumu," Yukari said.

"I don't want to have a three-way," Tsukune growled. "With anybody."

"What?" Yukari gapped. "But Tsukune, what about my dream? What about my love for you and Moka?"

Tsukune sighed. This was getting out of hand. He needed to find a way to help Yukari mature, at least a little, without breaking her heart and ruining their friendship.

"Yukari," Tsukune tried to talk in a gentle tone. "Imagine for a moment what would happen if you got your way. The three of us are all together someplace private, with candle light and everything."

"Oh yeah..." Yukari had her creepy smile on her face as her eyes started to lose focus.

"Now imagine what happens when Moka's seal comes off," Tsukune continued. "Inner Moka suddenly wakes up. Our clothes might already be at least part way off. Her blood thirst is already rising. And she sees you and I together beside her. What do you honestly think is going to happen?"

"Ummmm... Urk," Yukari's mind raced through the scene Tsukune had set up for her.

It was a simple scene to predict. Inner Moka would quickly become upset. Yukari at best would just be seen as a distraction and sent flying. At worst, she would be seen as a rival, and being sent flying would be the least of Yukari's worries at that point.

"We'll just have to be careful," Yukari said, trying to smile while suppressing her fear.

"Why would I want to be careful?" Tsukune asked.

"So you don't accidentally remove her seal," Yukari explained.

"Yukari," Tsukune said in a low voice. "It wouldn't be an accident. I love Inner Moka as well. I share everything with both sides of Moka, and that is not going to change."

"Then you can explain..." Yukari trailed off as Tsukune shook his head.

"Inner Moka will not be interested in sharing," Tsukune said. "You need to talk to her the next chance you get. You have to ask Inner Moka what she wants. From when we first met, you decided what you wanted, but did you ever take the time to talk to anybody else about it?"

"But Tsukune..." Yukari protested.

"Yukari," Tsukune cut her off. "It is getting late, and it has been a long couple of days for me. I'm going to go to bed. Tomorrow we will be meeting up to work on the paper. We can talk then."

"Alright," Yukari pouted. She gave a little sniff and headed for the door. She paused and looked back at Tskune with a mischievous smile. "I could spend the night with you," Yukari offered.

"No," Tsukune shook his head.

"Why not?" Yukari wanted to know. "You spent nights with Kurumu."

"That was at a hotel," Tsukune said. "Not a little bed like I have here."

"I'm not as big as she is," Yukari pointed out.

"Good night, Yukari," Tsukune said firmly.