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, than you should not read this.

Chapter 105

Tanaka Iris was fuming mad at her father. It was bad enough being sent to an 'elite' all girls school in the first place. After almost three years surrounded by status obsessed princesses, Iris had finally met a guy that she actually got along with. He appreciated classical art and theater, wasn't intimidated by a girl as tall as he was, and when Iris had stubbed her toe during a shrine visit and cursed up a blue streak, had not even frowned at her. Iris had managed to trade numbers with a classmate so she could do the 'Test of Courage' with Chiba Ken, but it had been worth it. Iris wasn't sure if she was in love, but she did like Ken a lot. She had written to her mother about the trip, and about Ken. She had even been exchanging regular letters with Ken ever since the trip. After being confined to an all girls school, Iris was finally developing a social life.

Iris' chance at happiness, and maybe a little romance after graduation was threatened when her father came for a visit. Lieutenant Tanaka of the Imperial Guard had appeared at school without warning, and proceeded to ask questions. It had been bad enough when the man had made calls to the dean and the teachers, but coming in person was too much. Iris' father had questioned her, and all of her classmates that had gone on the summer trip together. The whole experience had been embarrassing. Through it all, the man had acted as stiff and distant as always. His one act of fatherly over-protectiveness that Iris considered something close to normal, was a warning not to waste time talking with boys she didn't know, and that he would not approve of. Her response was a frown and a nod, and then as soon as her father left, she sat down to write Ken a letter.

XxxxxXX

Tsukune faced the weekend with a dark mood. Kurumu had asked Tsukune for a ride to a meeting, only saying that it was about a potential job. Tsukune had been forced to turn her down, he had too much to get done over the weekend or he would have liked to help her out. He was willing to admit that he wanted to help her as a friend every bit as much as he would have enjoyed a date with her after her meeting. Kurumu had been sorry that she couldn't have that date with Tsukune, but understood. She would just have to use the school bus and public transportation for her meeting. Moka was also going to be gone for the weekend. Lord Gray had summoned her to a formal event, and as his Dame she had to attend. Tsukune had told Moka that he would miss her company. In the week since they had last spent the night together, Tsukune and Moka had tried to find time to spend together, and a few quiet moments of holding hands and sharing kisses had been great. Thursday evening Ruby had informed her master that she would be absent for the weekend, to attend to business for the Board Chairman. Ruby had turned up the teasing for the night, just to remind Tsukune what he would have to do without while she was gone, he was sure.

In truth, the idea of having his house to himself for the weekend was a relaxing one. He would be able to do things for himself. While he was not as good as a cook as Ruby, he knew he could keep himself from starving. Tsukune had seen Kurumu off at the bus stop with a hug and a kiss. He had returned to the village in time to see Moka off with a kiss and a nibble, before Sakura and Reaver came to pick her up. Tsukune was just settling down to attack his school work, because the more he got done before his training started Saturday morning the less he would have to try to do when worn out afterward, when Mizore knocked on his door.

"Mizore?" Tsukune had been surprised when he opened the door.

"May I come in?" Mizore asked.

"Sure," Tsukune stepped aside to let her in. "Please."

"Sorry to intrude," Mizore said as she entered. She was carrying a shopping bag in one hand and had a small duffel on her back. After kicking off her shoes by the door, she went to the kitchen.

"Mizore," Tsukune asked as he shut the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take care of you," Mizore answered without stopping what she was doing.

"I'm fine," Tsukune protested. "I can take care of myself."

"I know that you're going to be by yourself this weekend," Mizore went on, ignoring Tsukune's protest. "So I am going to be your wife for the weekend. I am going to cook and clean for you, so you can study and train without any worries." She paused long enough to look Tsukune in the eye. "It's alright that I'm here, isn't it Tsukune?"

"Ahhhh..." Tsukune tried to find an argument that wouldn't come across as rude or childish.

"Then you have no objection to me being your wife for the weekend," Mizore said. "So I can cook you dinner while you study. That was what you were doing when I interrupted wasn't it?"

"Oh, ahh," Tsukune blinked and shifted mental gears. "Yes. Yes, I was studying."

"Then everything is perfect," Mizore said with a smile that made Tsukune nervous. "I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

Tsukune settled back down to his books to study. He didn't like it when his friends managed to throw him of balance. He knew they did it mostly for their own amusement, because they had admitted as much in the past. But he always felt like he was missing something important when it happened. Tsukune tried to dismiss his misgivings and focus on his school work, while Mizore hummed happily in the kitchen.

Mizore couldn't stop smiling. She had managed to seize her moment of opportunity, and Tsukune had not realized what he had consented to. She just needed to push forward carefully with her plan of attack. In a way, Mizore was using the most traditional method of the snow maiden. When looking for a mate, or better yet a husband, a snow maiden would leave the heart of their homeland towards the beginning of winter, to look for candidates. As the snow fell, with the snow maiden's help, the man would find himself in need of shelter and comfort. It was then that the snow maiden would appear. A small house made of snow and wrapped in illusions would offer shelter to the man, and the maiden would offer him food and wine as a good host should. If the man had been hunting or gathering wood, he might be asked to share what he had, more to keep him from being suspicious about her generosity than any real need. After the man had eaten his fill and given a chance to relax, the snow maiden usually had no trouble seducing him. Mizore knew her people's traditional ways, and was more than ready to follow them when they suited her purpose.

Mizore prepared a dinner that she knew Tsukune would enjoy, but that was only one step in her plan. She would feed him, and support him, help him to relax in his house, so that he would be better ready to deal with his responsibilities. She was going to use the weekend to get closer to Tsukune. A fastest way to win a man's heart, as the saying went, was through his stomach. Mizore had planned out a menu filled heavy on protein and the vitamins and minerals that would give him energy. While the food was cooking, Mizore stole a moment to put her duffel in Tsukune's room and to check the bath.

Tsukune was successful in concentrating on his school work. He had lost track of time until Mizore started setting out dishes for dinner. Dressed in tank-top, shorts, and an apron, Mizore was the perfect image of domestic contentment. Tsukune smiled at her as she worked, making her blush and smile in return. Once Tsukune's books were safely out of the way and dinner was on the table, Mizore settled in next to Tsukune.

"Tsukune," Mizore said. "Thank you for letting me take care of you. I love you, that is why I am going to be your wife all weekend." She leaned in close to him with a smile.

"Ahh... Mizore," Tsukune started to say.

"Say ahhhh," Mizore offered up a morsel of beef in her chopsticks for Tsukune to taste.

Because Tsukune had been trying to talk, his mouth was open. Mizore fed him a bite of meat before he could protest what she had said. It was a part of her plan. She was intentionally using the word 'wife' over and over again to get him used to the idea. Mizore wanted to build a connection in Tsukune's mind between the title of 'wife' and herself. Her arrangement with Moka was that she had to let the vampire go first. Well Moka had already slept with Tsukune. Mizore wanted her turn. She had to let Moka go first, but that didn't mean she had to let the other woman have more turns.

"I received a letter from my mother," Mizore said. She wanted some conversation, and her mother was a good topic for keeping Tsukune distracted. "She still thinks I am taking too long to settle down."

"I understand what your mother wants," Tsukune said politely. "But it is your life. You should be free to make your own choices."

"I knew you would support me," Mizore smiled. "I already told her that I will only settle down when I have what I want."

"Good for you," Tsukune approved.

"She did tell me to invite you to come visit again," Mizore said. "Even the others would be welcome because they helped save the village. You could come for the Winter Festival. The Northern Lights area even more special then, and we have dances under the stars."

"That sounds nice," Tsukune nodded. "I should try to see that some day."

"After graduation," Mizore said. "You could come visit for a while. You visited Kurumu's home, so I should get a turn also."

"That might be nice," Tsukune said. "It would be nice if you were to visit my home too, in a proper way this time."

"I would love to," Mizore nodded.

The conversation flowed around the meal. When dinner was finished, Mizore got up to clear the table. Tsukune offered to help with the dishes, but Mizore refused.

"You focus on your studies, Tsukune," Mizore said firmly. "I'll clean up. I am your wife for the weekend, and it is the wife's responsibility to take care of the kitchen, unless you want to throw me out." Mizore threw on that last part to keep Tsukune from protesting.

Tsukune suppressed his desire to grumble or sigh and turned back to his books. Mizore presented him with a cup of tea but left him to his work. He studied for about two more hours before closing his books.

"Tsukune," Mizore said from the kitchen. "Are you done for tonight?"

"Yeah," Tsukune said with a yawn.

"Go ahead and get ready," Mizore instructed. "I have the bath ready."

Tsukune gave her a look. Any plans he had to look after himself for the weekend were gone. As he got ready for his bath, Tsukune had to wonder if the women around him thought that he needed everything done for him, or if they were trying to make him so totally dependent on them that he would never try to live without them. He remembered after his first year at the academy his mother had though he had grown up so much just because he was able to do his own laundry. The school, to make up for being closed for repairs, had given out a large number of assignments to the students. Tsukune had not wanted to fall behind and not be with Moka, so he had worked hard to get his assignments done. His serious dedication to studying had surprised his whole family. Tsukune knew he could take care of himself if he had to, but having someone help him along wasn't all bad.

Tsukune was not terribly surprised when Mizore joined him in the bathroom. Not wanting to be flustered or manipulated, he simply accepted her presence and tried to keep himself calm. It wasn't the first time they had bathed together. Tsukune was pleased to observe that Mizore was maintaining a level of modesty as they washed each other. Not for the first time, Tsukune wished the bath was a little larger. If there was a little more room, he and Mizore would not have had to sit quite so close together. Suppressing a sigh, Tsukune admitted to himself that no mater how big the bathtub was, Mizore would still have pressed herself as close to him as she could.

Tsukune tried to remain calm and composed. After counting to five hundred in his head, in English, he was ready to get out of the bath. Mizore followed him and they dried off together.

"Tsukune," Mizore spoke up as they left the bathroom. "May I borrow one of your shirts?"

"Sure," Tsukune agreed. It seemed like a harmless request, so he didn't bother questioning it.

Once again Tsukune was not surprised by Mizore's choice of action as she moved towards Tsukune's bed. One thing his friends had taught Tsukune is that some battles were not worth fighting. He let himself admire Mizore's legs as she climbed into bed, wearing one of his undershirts and a pair of striped panties. After double checking his alarm clock, Tsukune turned out the light and climbed into bed.

"Good night, Mizore," Tsukune said.

"Good night Tsukune," Mizore replied as she cuddled up to him. "I love you."

XXX XXX

Mizore had trouble sleeping. Her plan was going so well, and Tsukune wasn't resisting. When she finally did drift off to sleep she dreamed of Tsukune. In the morning she saw Tsukune off with a hug and a kiss, and a bento made special for him. She spent the day doing her schoolwork and cleaning Tsukune's house. She even spent a little time petting Hiru. When Tsukune returned home in the late evening, he looked worn down and sore.

Mizore played the dutiful wife to the hilt. She washed Tsukune's back and left him to soak in a steaming hot bath as she finished preparing dinner. For dinner she filled his stomach with nourishing food that would help him sleep. Tsukune went to bed shortly after eating, at Mizore's insistence. She finished cleaning up before following him. Mizore wished that she would have more time to be alone with Tsukune, but was grateful for what she did have. When she went into the bedroom she discovered Tsukune already asleep, but with the lights still on. She left the lights on and retreated to the bathroom to wash before bed. The water had cooled after Tsukune's bath, but it was still warmer than Mizore was used to. She used her power to make the water cold and enjoyed a quiet soak.

Mizore wanted to attack Tsukune while she had the chance. As she towel off after her bath she considered her options. Tsukune was uncomfortable when she was too forward, but he had been getting over his shyness. Mizore could attack him in his sleep, she thought. If she moved carefully she might be able to get pretty far into seducing Tsukune before he woke up. As she walked naked into the bedroom, Mizore looked at Tsukune's sleeping face and discarded the idea of attacking him in his sleep. She might get what she wanted most in the short term, but she realized that it could hurt her relationship with Tsukune in the long run. She wanted to seduce Tsukune, to have his child, to have that permanent bond with him, and attacking him right now could give her that, if she was lucky, but that would probably be the end of their close times together. If she waited, if she took her time and seduced him in heart and mind, then she could have his friendship, his love, and his child, possibly many children. Mizore pulled on only Tsukune's tank-top before turning out the light. She carefully slipped into bed beside Tsukune and cuddled him close.

"Thank you for letting me by your wife," Mizore whispered. "Even if it is for the weekend. I want to be your wife, Tsukune, because I love you." She leaned in and kissed him. It was a soft, lingering kiss. "I love you Tsukune."

"Mmmm," Tsukune mumbled in his sleep. "...'ove you too."

Mizore gave a little gasp. An excited pain stabbed through her heart. Tsukune had just said that he loved her, but he was asleep. Did that mean that he really did love her but was to shy or uncertain to admit to it when he was awake and guarding his words? Or was he dreaming of Moka? Joy and uncertainty warred within Mizore as she cried herself to sleep.

Xxx xxx xxx xxX

Tsukune woke up early Sunday morning and wondered why. He didn't feel rested enough to wake up on his own. He lay in his bed, looking up at the ceiling, while his brain tried to work. After a few minutes of being unproductive he made a trip to the toilet. Mizore woke up as soon as Tsukune got out of bed, but aside from opening her eyes to watch him, she didn't do anything. When Tsukune returned to bed she cuddled up to him again.

"Tsukune," Mizore said softly. "I love you."

"Hmmmm," Tsukune turned on his side to face her.

Mizore saw a pained expression on his face. It made her feel nervous because she didn't know what it meant. She cuddled closer, pressing her face to his chest so she wouldn't have to see his expression.

"Mizore," Tsukune said as he worked his arms around her. "Don't you ever think that there is something wrong with me?"

"What?" Mizore questioned in surprise. "No. Tsukune, why would you ever say something like that?"

"Look at the way I treat you," Tsukune said. "And not just you. You deserve somebody that will love you, and only you, not someone who can't commit to a single person."

"What are you saying, Tsukune?" Mizore asked.

"Think about it, Mizore," Tsukune sighed. "What kind of man can I be, what kind of human being am I, that I have Ruby acting as my slave girl, Moka as my lover, and Kurumu as a girlfriend. On top of all of that, here I am, sharing my bed with you. This can't be right."

"Tsukune," Mizore said. "I don't care about that. Wait... I do care, but it is not as important to me as you are."

"But it should be important," Tsukune argued. "I know that you love me. You tell me that you want to by my wife, to have my children, but what kind of husband would I be if I can't be faithful to just one woman?"

"I don't care about that," Mizore insisted. "Have you ever heard the story of the 'Winter Wife' Tsukune?"

"No," Tsukune said slowly.

"It is a story among my people," Mizore said. "It is about a Snow Maiden who fell in love with a young man. He was a clerk, a scholar. When he was an apprentice his master sent him out to collect firewood in the winter. That was when they first met. They were both young and shy, but they still laid together. All through the winter they would meet and spend time together. When the winter ended, the Snow Maiden retreated into the high mountains, while the young man stayed in his village. When winter came again, they were reunited. As time passed, the young man grew up and got married to a merchant's daughter. The following winter, when the Snow Maiden returned he told her everything..."

"The story is very long," Mizore said. "It goes on about all the things that passed between the lovers, and the people around them. But through it all, they stayed in love with each other. It is a very romantic story. Traditionally, we seldom actually marry. We take a lover until we make a baby together, and then return to our homes to raise the child. We do this every few years, hoping to have two children that will grow up healthy and strong. Tsukune," Mizore looked up into his face. "It doesn't mater where you go, or who you decide to be with. I will follow you. I will be your Winter Wife. You don't have to give all your love me, Tsukune, but please let me stay by your side."

"Mizore," Tsukune sighed. "I wish I was stronger. I wish I could make my feelings clear and not be so indecisive." He let go of her and rolled onto his back. "I am in love with Moka. Every time I see her smile towards me it is like getting a special gift. I am in love with Kurumu. She makes me feel good just by being close to me, as if she is a part of me. I must love Ruby, or I would never let her do so much for me. It is because I care so much about her, because I love her, that I am willing to share my life with her, even with all that she does to try to provoke me sometimes."

"Tsukune," Mizore protested.

"I suppose I should thank Yukari," Tsukune chuckled.

"Yukari?" Mizore sat up in surprise.

"I while back," Tsukune explained. "I had to tell Yukari that she was not going to be sharing me and Moka. In a way, she helped me. I was able to tell Yukari that I was not in love with her, and had no desire to do the things she wanted. She and Kokoa are still important to me, but they are more like little sisters than anything else."

"But..." Mizore was wondering where Tsukune was going with his talk.

"Mizore," Tsukune sighed again. "I know that you love me. I can see it in your eyes, and I can feel it when we touch."

"Tsukune..." Mizore was close to tears.

"Maybe I'm just not smart enough yet," Tsukune grumbled. "Or I need to grow up more. I just know that I am glad when you are around, and that it makes me feel good to know when you are happy. Maybe I don't truly understand what it means to be in love after all. But Mizore, after two years with you in my life, through all the excitement and embarrassment we have shared, I have to admit that you are important to me."

"Tsukune, does that mean?" Mizore asked hopefully.

"It probably means that I am weak willed and an idiot not worth knowing," Tsukune said. "But in some way, yes Mizore, I do love you."

"Tsukune," Mizore gave a happy cry before throwing herself down upon him, smothering him with kisses.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chiba Ken was looking forward to graduation. He had already started his application to a college that would help him get into media production. After graduation, he would be out in the human world and free to enjoy a normal life. Ken had grown up in the northern area of Hokkaido and was looking forward to exploring more of Japan, and maybe having a girlfriend at last. During the Drama Club's Summer trip he had met a human girl that he had gotten along with, and was surprised to learn she had some affection for him. In the few weeks that had followed meeting Iris, she and Ken had gotten in the habit of exchanging letters. There was a small joke among the members of the Drama Club that Ken, Emmy, and Yamadashi Eris were starting a Human Appreciation Club.

The trio of Drama Club members had a greater, or perhaps a more focused interest in humans than the others. Emmy had a human boyfriend. Ken was communicating regularly with one, and Eris was looking for a chance to have Aono Tsukune, who according to some rumors was raised by humans, to introduce her to one of his human friends. Emmy and Ken shared the letters they received from their human correspondences partners with each other, and Eris.

Ken had just finished reading Iris' latest letter and was frowning over its content. The idea that someone was asking questions about Aono Tsukune, and by extension, Youkai Academy, was a little uncomfortable. He considered the situation carefully. Ken believed Iris, but he didn't want to be an alarmist and get anyone worked up over nothing significant. He wrote back and asked for details, explaining his reasoning. He didn't want Iris to get in trouble with her school or family, but if he was going to risk putting things in motion, he wanted as much information as possible in advance.

While there was some reason to worry, Ken knew it was important to keep a level head. There have been plenty of monster hunts in the past, and most of them failed to produce results. Most monster hunters were quickly forgotten. The ether gave up, came out looking like a fool, simply disappeared, or some combination there of. If it looked like there was any substance to the problem, Ken would notify Aono Tsukune, confident that the guardian of the school would know what to do.