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 114

The Masako Shoken Girls Academy was built to be a place where the daughters of the important families of Japan could learn to be respectable ladies while studying for their future. The fenced-in grounds were mostly groomed to be park-like, concealing things like athletic fields and bland ancillary buildings from the outside world. The front gates opened to a driveway that ended in a wide circle in front of the main school building, flanked by the two dormitories. The park-like setting was maintained even here, hoping to inspire a sense of calm dignity in the students. As classes let out for the day, scores of young women, the students, exited the school, to see two young men walking up the drive.

Men were a rare sight at the school. Even more rare were young men. Tsukune and Ken, in their uniforms, touched off a flurry of excitement. Tsukune expected as much. He had left Hiru by the gate, trusting her to be inconspicuous, while he and Ken walked up to the main building. They two young men had left their school before the regular classes were over, and because of Hiru, they were able to reach the girls' academy in time for the end of their school day. When two boys walk into an all girls school it is only a mater of time before the staff would be notified. Tsukune and Ken, as Tsukune planned, walked up to the front of the main building and simply waited. Sooner or later somebody in charge would come to challenge them, and that was when Tsukune would find out what was going on.

The news about the appearance of the two young men spread like wildfire among the girls. Even students in club activities were soon aware of the excitement. Two mysterious young men were standing in front of the school, as if waiting for somebody. A little detail that had slipped Tsukune's mind was that there were some girls that would recognize his school uniform. One of those girls came out of the school building at a near run.

"Aono," Aiko called out. "What brings you here?"

"Aiko," Tsukune smiled and offered his hand. "I hope you have been well."

"I have," Aiko answered with a smile of her own. She didn't miss that Tsukune had not answered her question. "You know that you should..."

"Aono," Rina called out in an excited voice, cutting Aiko off. "What are you doing here?"

Tsukune opened his mouth, but didn't get a chance to talk.

"Ken!" It was a clear shout that cut through the air

"Iris," Ken called back. He had a wide smile on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Iris said, coming to a stop just two feet away from Ken, a blush starting to make her face glow.

"I came to see you," Ken said, with a hint of a blush touching his own cheeks.

"You shouldn't have," Iris said, looking nervous and tense.

Tsukune recognized his cue. Iris was nervous. Aiko was showing some tension. Even Rina was looking about, as if expecting trouble.

"Aiko," Tsukune said. "Could you lead us to the office please?"

"Yes," Aiko said quickly.

They had gone all of three steps when a matronly woman in a crisp suit appeared. The students moved away from her almost as if they were afraid. She projected a sense of calm confidence and had sharp eyes that always seemed to be taking the smallest details.

"What is going on here?" The woman demanded in a level tone.

"Headmistress," Aiko started to speak. "This is Aono Tsukune. He..."

"Aono...?" The Headmistress questioned. "So you're the one I've been hearing about. What are you doing at my school?"

"I came to speak with you, Headmistress," Tsukune said. He offered her a small bow of his head. As acting headmaster of his own school, his status was close to hers. Being aware of his many duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments helped Tsukune armor himself with confidence. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter Ken had received. "A disturbing letter was brought to my attention." He offered her the letter.

The head mistress accepted the letter. She eyed Tsukune for a moment before looking at what she held in her hand. A quick scan of the letter was enough to convince her that there was some purpose to the young man's visit.

"We will talk in my office," The Headmistress said. "All of you come with me."

Tsukune was aware of the eyes watching him as he followed the Headmistress to her office. Girls, young women, unused to the presence of young men, couldn't help but be curious about the visitors to their school. Tsukune used his training and experience to help him stay focused. He walked with his back straight and his head up, while he kept his eyes moving, alert for any problems. He was ready to draw on the strength of you youki at any moment, much like a samurai caressing the hilt of his sword, ready to fight if it was needed. Ken did not have as much backing him up as Tsukune did. He drew upon his experience as a member of the Drama Club, and his limited time performing in front of an audience, to help him stay calm. He tried to model his behavior after Tsukune's but couldn't tell how he was doing. Also, Ken had never had such a large audience before, and this one was all girls. For some reason Ken couldn't pin down, the younk youkai male started to feel more and more like he was being seen as prey.

The small group passed through the halls of the school building in silence, with whispers rising in their wake. Students stayed out of their Headmistress' way, trying to look busy, or at least not interested in her passing. Tsukune notice that as soon as the Headmistress was past them, those same students watched her with open curiosity. Once they reached the office of the Headmistress, they entered and closed the door so they could talk in private.

"Now then," The Headmistress said as she settled into her chair behind her desk. "What am I to do about this situation, Mister Aono Tsukune?"

"I am sorry to disrupt your school," Tsukune said politely, as he stood calmly in front of the desk. "As soon as this is cleared up, I would like to be on my way. If you please, I would like to know who has been asking questions about me."

"I would like to know who you are," The Headmistress said. "I have had a police lieutenant from the Imperial Guard hanging around the campus, questioning my students, and disrupting the peace of my school, all because of you."

"Father," Iris said in a mix between a growl and a sigh.

Tsukune and the Headmistress both turned their attention to her. She immediately started to blush, embarrassed to be the center of attention in a room filled with tension. Tsukune glanced back at the Headmistress before talking.

"I'm sorry, miss..." Tsukune said.

"Tanaka Iris," Iris said, bowing her head quickly out of reflex. "My father is Lieutenant Tanaka of the Imperial Guard. He's been asking questions about you."

Iris looked nervous and embarrassed, both by being the center of attention, and by her father's actions. Ken moved a little closer to her to offer his support, while watching Tsukune and the Headmistress. She gave him a small smile and inched closer to him.

"I see," Tsukune said. "Did he say why he was asking about me?"

"No," Iris said. "He just asked me what I knew about you from when we met during the Summer, and who you might have talked to."

"Thank you," Tsukune said in a mild tone. He turned his attention to Aiko next. "Is this the same person you wrote to me about?"

"Yes," Aiko answered. "He came to me and asked me about what kid of person you were, and what we had talked about."

"The same with me," Rina said. "He also asked if I had a way to contact you, and if I knew where you went to school."

"Hmmmm," Tsukune considered what he had heard. "Thank you."

"Excuse me," The Headmistress said crisply. She was already unhappy with the peace of her school being disrupted. Having this questionable young man just taking charge, in her own office no less, rubbed her the wrong way. "You have not answered my question. Just who are you? Why are the police looking for you?"

"I am trying to find out why this Lieutenant Tanaka is asking about me," Tsukune said. "Has he said anything to you I should know?"

"I am the only one who should be asking questions here," The Headmistress raised her voice. "You should know your place."

"My place?" Tsukune's eyebrows shot up. "My place should be back at my own school, seeing to the safety and happiness of the other student. Instead, I have to come here, because 'somebody' sent a letter implying that one of your students was in trouble, and that one the the students I am responsible for needed to come and help her. For the sake of protecting the safety and security of my school and the other students there, my place now is here, investigating the issue. I know my place, Madam Headmistress." Tsukune's voice had become hard, on the edge of a growl.

"I don't like your tone of voice," The headmistress snapped at Tsukune, slapping her hand on her desk. "After Lieutenant Tanaka's first visit, I asked some questions of my own. You have been entirely too friendly with the students of this school." She shot a glare at Ken. "I will not have commoners corrupting the morals of my girls. Now you tell me, boy, just who are you to come here, asking questions of my students?"

"I am Aono Tsukune," Tsukune said, the edge in his voice sharpening. "Captain of the Gakuen Academy Student Police." He had been forced to deal with the Board Chairman calling him 'boy.' This human woman, for all of her authority, was nothing more then irritating. Tsukune was not going to tolerate her trying to belittle him.

"You girls wait out side," The headmistress snapped.

"Go with them," Tsukune said with a quick look to Ken.

"No," The Headmistress said. "You boys will both stay here and answer my questions."

"Ken is my responsibility," Tsukune explained. His irritation with the whole situation was getting the better of him. His youki started to rise up turbulently. He looked back at the others and gave a jerk of his head. Ken and the trio of young women hurried from the office.

"Now see here," The woman stood up. "You filthy..."

"Sit down," Tsukune snapped in a commanding tone.

With his youki heating up, adding a note to his voice, his words had power behind them. Tsukune's command hit the headmistress like a gust of hot wind. Her knees gave out and she dropped back into her chair.

"This is getting out of hand," Tsukune said. He pulled out pieces of his back-up story about the Youkai Academy and sprinkled it with some current truths. "Many of the students at my school come from the oldest families in Japan, and some of the most powerful. For their own reasons they can not, or choose not to attend the more common schools, like this one. I am different. I am a nobody, so if something happens to me, or if I get in trouble, its nothing for the school to deal with. I am in charge of the safety and security of the students. Just last week, someone tried to cause a problem, and no, I will not go into details, but the head of the school was hurt, and until he is better, I have been named as acting headmaster, with authority over the faculty and students, making the safety and security of the whole school my responsibility." He leaned forward a little. "I am only here because this Lieutenant Tanaka has stirred things up, and has tried to involve one of the other students from my school."

Tsukune had not told a single lie. Tetsu Odari was a gift from a family line that went back as much as seven hundred years. Yukari's family were witches, which made them a powerful family. And Moka, from a rich and powerful family, if she had not had such a distaste for the human world at the time, could have easily attended the all girls school Tsukune was being forced to visit.

The Headmistress was stunned by Tsukune's explanation. His voice carried power and authority, and she could not bring herself to question his integrity. Something in his voice made her want to believe him. She wanted to just listen to his voice and accept what he said as true. The scary part was that his explanation made sense. In a school filled with students from elite families, having a nobody, as he had labeled himself, available to throw in harm's way was a good strategy. If the son of a high profile family did something bad, the nobody could be blamed, protecting the family's name. If someone wanted to take action against the child of a rival, a nobody could be used as a literal shield. And if something went wrong at school, the nobody could be sacrificed for the sake of the somebodies. It made perfect sense. The school, the elite families, and even the nobody all had something to gain from the arrangement. Even if nothing ever went wrong, and the nobody ended up just remaining a faceless part of the background, he was probably receiving a top education for free in exchange for his useful status of being disposable.

Another part of the young man's story also related to why an Imperial Guard officer might be asking about him. His usefulness as a nobody could already have been set into motion for some unspecified problem. Also, from the way he looked and acted the Headmistress suspected that he was close to graduation, the Imperial Guard might be scouting him. If Aono Tsukune could be intrusted with the safety of the children of the elite while still in school himself, once he graduated he could continue to serve, and there was none more elite then the Imperial Family of Japan.

The Headmistress realized that the young man had to be telling the truth. She had run into all kinds of schemers that had wanted to gain access to the school, and the girls there. All of them had acted calm and confident. The young man in front of her now was not acting. His sense of self, and the powerful confidence he showed only came from truly having something to support it. The only thing that kept the Headmistress from simply going along with him was her own sense of pride. He had effectively challenged her authority in her own office.

"What you say," She said carefully. "Sounds serious. Do you have anything to support it?" It was a trap of a question a disposable nobody could hardly carry a letter of reference, because it would defeat his usefulness when trying to disassociate the elite from what ever trouble came along. She could question his credibility if he couldn't produce some kind of proof, but if he pulled out some kind of letter, then it would be proof that he was lying.

"Yes," Tsukune said. He pulled out his police identification and offered it for her inspection.

The Headmistress knew she was beaten. While he could easily be old enough to be a police officer, only someone very well connected politically could climb to a high position at a young age. Also, the police themselves were considered to be rather low, socially speaking, and a place where nobodies could try to build a career.

"I understand, Captain," The Headmistress said.

The headmistress explained everything she knew about Lieutenant Tanaka and his investigation. It was ridiculous to think that a member of the Imperial Guard would not know about Aono Tsukue's position and connections. She concluded that it was all just a ploy to test Aono Tsukune and to possibly bring this confident young man into the Imperial Guard. As for herself, the Headmistress decided she would start looking for candidates to serve as nobodies at her own school. She could explain it was the nobility of generosity to her charges, and offer scholarships to the right candidates.

xxxx XXXX

The Headmistress leaned back in her chair, feeling short of breath. Aono Tsukune was a remarkable young man. After a moment of reflection, she corrected herself. He was a remarkable man regardless of his age. He had taken charge as if he knew how to lead, and expected to be obeyed. After she had tried to take control away from him, the Headmistress had discovered that he had been trying to be discreet. He was the kind of man that could someday be a serious leader, in business or politics. His eyes had been piercing, and his voice had been compelling. The more she heard his voice, the more she wanted to hear it.

To top it all off, Aono Tsukune had displayed a compassionate side. He had asked for permission to take some of her students off campus, so that he could visit with his friends as long as he was in town, without the disruption that staying close to the school would cause. While third year students did not need permission to leave campus, they were supposed to notify a faculty member when they did. She granted the permission anyway.

As the headmistress let herself recover from the unusual meeting, she let her mind wander. Something about Aono Tsukune still haunted her thoughts. She wished she had someone like him in her school. She smiled at the idea of recruiting him to be a teacher. With his build, the Headmistress suspected that he must excel in sports, and would make an inspiring athletics instructor. Of course if he was on staff, the girls would all be mooning after him, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. With Aono Tsukune as an example, and an inspiration for romantic dreams, it would be very hard for less worthy men to seduce the young ladies. While the Headmistress believed that he would have too much integrity to get involved with the students, most of the staff would probably be interested in him as well. She chuckled to herself, imagining the excitement he would cause in the staff room just by walking in and taking off his jacket. The Headmistress would have to call him to her office just to keep an extra eye on him herself. With a crooked smile, she imagined how much fun she would have interviewing him for a teaching position.

XXX XX XX

Lieutenant Tanaka drove up to his daughter's school. By his counting, the false letter could have reached the boy her daughter liked already. Lieutenant Tanaka had found a good place to sit in watch of the school to wait for the boy to come sneaking in He parked his car on the school grounds, on a path just wide enough for it to pass, where he could watch the driveway and a good part of the open area between the gate and the main builings. The boy, the lieutenant suspected, would ether come rushing in and making demands, or more likely, come sneaking in. Ether way, if he showed up at all, it would be because he wanted to play hero. Lieutenant Tanaka would catch the boy, and then make the boy lead him back to the school where he could find Aono Tsukune. If the letter had reached the boy, and he skipped out of school the same day, depending on where he was coning from, Lieutenant Tanaka reasoned that the boy could be arriving as early as tonight. He didn't honestly think the boy would show up for another three or four days, if at all, but it paid to be diligent.

Lieutenant Tanaka was focused on his plan. He did not want to bother the local police, so he would be doing the stake-outs himself. He also made a mental note to check in with the school's staff, and instruct them to call him of anybody showed up asking for his daughter. He knew he could sleep during the school days, and with the help of some good coffee he would be able to keep watch all night. Lieutenant Tanaka was looking forward to successfully locating Aono Tsukune.

XXX XXX XXX

Ken had to admit that he was impressed. Aono Tsukune had not only been able to take them to Iris' school, but he had been able to clear up any trouble with the headmistress. As an added bonus, Ken got to go out on a date with Iris. Ken was surprised as he walked with the others to discover he was holding Iris' hand. He couldn't help but smile, and when he glanced her way, he could see that she looked happy too.

Xx

Aiko and Rina were not close friends, but they had made peace. Rina had learned something about humility and the foolishness of judging others. Aiko had learned to seek understanding of people that were different from herself. Each of the young women gave credit to Tsukune for the change the other had gone through. They also gave him credit for their own improved outlook. The fact that Tsukune had come to visit their school, on such a romantic mission, was something to celebrate.

When he had come out of the Headmistress' office and asked if they knew a place where they could go and visit for a while, Tsukune had spoken to Aiko and Rina, but had thrown a look towards Ken and Iris. Aiko and Rina both caught his meaning. He wanted to give the couple a chance to spend a little time together.

"I know just the place," Aiko said when she learned that Tsukune had permission for them to leave campus. "And it's not too much of a walk."

The place was a small cafe down the hill from the school. It was far enough from campus, and around a few corners, to give the students a mental break from school. It was also close enough to be convenient for the girls to visit. The hostess offered to have some tables moved together to seat the group of five.

"That's alright," Aiko spoke up. "Two booths next to each other will be fine."

Aiko had daydreamed about going on dates often enough that she wasn't going to waste even the smallest opportunity for one. The booths in the cafe could hold four people, if they were friendly, but five would be too crowded. By getting two booths, it gave the five of them enough room, but forced them to split up. Ken and Iris shared a booth, with her giving Aiko a thankful smile. Tsukune, used to accepting a certain amount of direction from females, found himself seated in the back of a booth, between Aiko and Rina.

Aiko couldn't believe how nervous she felt. A stolen glance at Rina showed that she felt the same way. In contrast, Tsukune looked calm and relaxed as he looked over a menu.

The hostess and the waitress were both surprised. They stood together while waiting for the newly arrived students to order, taking in the unusual sight. The three girls were in the uniform of the all girls school up the hill. While plenty of girls from that school came into the shop, there was no less then eleven at the moment, the fact that there were boys with this group was what made them stand out. The two young men were also in school uniforms, but not one ether of the cafe's employees recognized.

XX

Tsukune was aware of the looks he was getting from the cafe staff, but didn't let it bother him. As he looked at the menu, he saw a number of treats that he though Kurumu and her perpetual sweet-tooth would want to try. He felt a little guilty taking time for himself when he had so many responsibilities waiting for him back at school. When he finally placed his order, Tsukune resolved to take his girlfriends off campus for a real date, soon.

"Tsukune," Aiko said casually, blushing from the effort. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes," Tsukune nodded. He took a sip of his tea. "What is it?"

"Well," Aiko felt nervous. "I was wondering how much experience you have."

"Ahhhh," Tskune gave her a questioning look. "Experience with what?"

"I'm sorry," Aiko said, blushing brightly. "It's just that you and Moka were so close, and Kurumu was always talking about you, and... And..." Aiko looked down at her plate. "I've never had a boyfriend and I was wondering what it would be like and I don't have anybody else to ask and I just wanted to know more about boy girl relationships and I'm sorry please don'tangrywithme." She started out normally, but as she went along, Aiko's voice rose higher and she talked faster and faster, until her last words came out as little more then a frightened squeak.

Tsukune felt a little trapped. He stole a glance towards Rina and saw her sitting stiffly alert, even if she was looking at the table. Sitting between two perfectly normal human girls, it was like being back at school. Tsukune wondered if anywhere there were girls that were easy to understand.

"I have known Moka since my first day of High School," Tsukune began. "We were both feeling out of place, without any friends. I had never had a girlfriend, and I was suddenly forced to attend a school I had never even heard of before. She had always had trouble fitting in, because of her family, and could never make any close friends. Somehow we made a connection. We helped each other, and saw something special in each other we didn't see in ourselves."

"That's so sweet," Rina sighed, sipping at her fruity drink.

"It wasn't until our second year together that I was finally able to tell her clearly that I loved her," Tsukune said.

"Awww," Aiko's eyes were shining.

"Moka and I have only become closer," Tsukune continued. "Every day I work hard to do my best, so that I can be worthy of her. I want to share the rest of my life with her, if she'll let me. And it's not just her. Ruby, Kurumu, and Mizore are all a part of my life now, and probably will be forever. We care about each other, and I do everything I can to be able to protect them and make them happy. They support me and help take care of me in return."

"Have you..." Aiko tried to ask, but she felt shy.

"It's no secret at my school that we are close," Tsukune went on. "I've kissed them all right out in the open. I don't understand why everybody is so accepting," Tsukune scoffed with a crooked smile. "I can't believe how lucky I am. Sometimes I am afraid that I will wake up and find out it was all a dream."

"Well," Rina said while playing with her straw. "I'm sure everything will work out for you. But..."

"No," Aiko said, looking past Tsukune at her classmate. "I saw him first."

"You should give up now," Ken said from the next booth. "Aono senpai will only make you want him more and more, until you're a part of his harem."

"Hey," Tsukune protested.

"It's true," Ken insisted. "The only reason you don't have more girlfriends is because you are so busy." He chuckled. "But that is probably why so many girls like you. You can do anything."

"Yeah..." Tsukune slumped his shoulders. "Right."

"Name one thing you can't do?" Ken challenged.

"I can't stay out of trouble," Tsukune grumbled.

"What do you mean?" Rina asked.

"I always try to look out for my friends," Tsukune said. "But somehow I end up getting involved in things." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Well I am glad that you are who you are," Ken said. "I wouldn't have been able to meet Iris if it wasn't for you."

"He's right," Aiko said, rubbing her shoulder against Tsukune with a smile. "You made our groups mingle and talk to each other."

"And then there was the Test of Courage that you arranged," Rina added. "Iris was almost ready to pay someone to switch numbers with her so she could go with Ken."

"Rinaaa," Iris protested.

"I only did that because Aiko said she wanted some fun memories," Tsukune defended himself.

"So you did it all for Aiko huh?" Rina grinned and bumped her shoulder against Tsukune playfully.

"Errr..." Tsukune reached for his tea, taking a sip to avoid having to say anything.

"And I can't thank you enough for today, senpai," Ken said. "When I got that letter, I didn't know what I was going to do."

"I am glad we were able to get it cleared up," Tsukune said. "For now anyway."

"I'm glad you had that beast of yours," Ken said. "I don't think the bus driver would have brought us here."

"Beast?" Iris questioned.

"My motorcycle," Tsukune said quickly.

"Yes," Ken agreed.

"Will you be in trouble for leaving school?" Aiko asked.

"Not with Tsukune with me," Ken chuckled.

"Why is that?" Aiko looked to Tsukune. "Will you get in trouble?"

"It's alright," Tsukune said. "Our school's rules can be very flexible."

"And Tsukune is the acting Headmaster right now," Ken added.

"Aww..." Tsukue groaned. He wished Ken would just shut up and enjoy his chance for a date.

"What?" All three girls exclaimed together.

"Our Board Chairman is recovering from an injury right now," Tsukune offered. "Because I do so much already, he felt he could trust me to help him out for a little while."

"How much do you do at your school?" Rina asked.

"Let me tell you," Ken volunteered. "Tsukune is the editor of the school newspaper. He heads the school's Festival Committee, and the Dance Committee."

"I'm surprised you're not counsel president," Aiko said.

"Tsukune wouldn't let them put his name on the ballot," Ken said. "He was the head of the Election committee, and organized our first ever student elections. He said it would a conflict of interest for anybody on the committee to have their name on the ballot."

"You're a good man," Aiko gave Tsukune an approving nod, slipping one arm around his.

"Right after the first Student Counsel was elected," Ken went on. "He was appointed as the Captain of the Student Police."

"The Board Chairman put them up to it," Tsukune grumbled.

"You still took the job," Ken pointed out. "And built up the Student Police from zero."

"Way to go," Rina said, trapping Tsukune's other arm in her embrace.

"You're making me out to be something I'm not," Tsukune protested.

"I'm just giving the the highlights," Ken said.

"I'm surprised you don't have more girlfriends, Tsukune," Rina teased.

"I'm sure there are lots of women," Aiko leaned in closer. "Who would love a hard working man like you."

Tsukune smiled weakly.

(A/N) Thanks for the reviews. Happy readers make for a happy writer, and a happy write updates...

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(( Coming soon...))

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"Iris," Tanaka Ito said in surprise.

"Father?" Iris said in a shocked voice. "What are you doing?"

"Iris, move away form him," Tanaka said, feeling caught between roles of being a father and a policeman.