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 115

It was nearly dark when Lieutenant Tanaka felt like he was finally being rewarded for his diligence. In the deep shadows near the front gate, he saw someone moving. That boy his daughter liked must have gotten someone to give him a ride. Whoever else might be there probably wasn't important. Lieutenant Tanaka tossed his field glasses onto the passenger seat of the car, and grabbed up his baton and flashlight. He had a chance to have everything taken care of before the weekend was over.

XXX

"Where is your motorcycle?" Rina asked.

"She's near by," Tsukune answered. "It's usually best to keep her out of sight."

"Ahhh," Rina gave his arm another little squeeze against her chest.

Rina was feeling pretty good at the moment. Her afternoon with Tsukune was the closet to a real date she ever had done. Her parents had arranged a few formal introductions, but Rina had managed to discourage would-be suitors. At the time, Rina had just thought the young men her parents had picked out were just unworthy of someone of her linage. She didn't like to admit the truth, but in reality she just wasn't mature enough to understand. Now that her mind was more open, Rina thought that just maybe she could become worthy of her own heritage, and then she could consider finding someone to call her own. She smiled up at Tsukune, thinking that whoever she finally decided on would have a lot to live up to.

"They look good together," Aiko observed, holding Tsukune's other arm.

The small group was lingering near the front gates of the school. Ken and Iris were standing close together, looking into each others eyes. Tsukune remembered all the times he wished for an undisturbed moment with Moka, and was not going to interrupt them if he didn't have to. He wandered a few meters away, drawing Aiko and Rina along with him.

"Tsukune," Aiko said. "I want to thank you for today."

"Hmmm?" Tsukune considered for a moment. "For what?"

"For coming here," Aiko said. "For helping Iris. And for spending time with me."

"Aiko," Tsukune said. "I will always help my friends when I can. And by helping strangers, I have found my most important friends."

"Am I your friend?" Aiko asked.

"Yes you are," Tsukune nodded.

"And me?" Rina asked.

"Yes," Tsukune gave her a nod as well.

"Does this mean I get to invite you over some time?" Rina asked. "I want you to meet my parents."

"Ahhh..." Tsukune blinked.

"Rina," Aiko scolded.

"It's not like that," Rina sighed. "It's just that when I go home over the winter break, my parents are going to realized that I've finally grown up a little." She smiled at Tsukune again. "And I want them to know the person responsible." She looked back at Aiko. "Besides, Tsukune is already in love."

"True," Aiko agreed. She gave a small sigh. "Tsukune. I was wondering if..."

"What was..." Tsukune cut her off, his body tensing.

"What?" Aiko questioned.

She shared a look with Rina. They were both aware of how Tsukune's muscles had just tightened up. The change in his posture was small, but there was no denying that something had made him wary.

Tsukune had heard a sound like a car door closing. For just a moment, for less then a heartbeat, there had been a sense of focused intent, like that of a hunter. Tsukune was instantly alert for danger. He scanned the area for any sign of trouble.

"Nobody move," A voice called out.

Lieutenant Tanaka approached the front gate at a fast walk. He had his chest puffed out and a carefully trained expression on his face. He looked the part of a man ready for trouble, and eager to put an end to it. He drew closer to his target and saw two people standing close to the wall beside the open gates. It was a boy and a girl. He stumbled to a halt.

"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.

"Mister Tanaka," Ken said politely, turning to face the man. He made a modest bow. "It is a privilege to meet you sir."

"Ken," Iris grumbled. "Not now." She stalked forward to face her father. "What are you doing here, father? Why can't you leave me alone? It's bad enough that you made me come here, but now that I am finally starting to have a life of my own you start acting crazy."

"This isn't about you," Tanaka said. "I'm here because I have a job to do."

"By sending a fake letter saying I was in trouble?" Iris rolled her eyes. "Father, just go home."

"So he did come," Tanaka focused his attention on the boy. "I wasn't sure you would."

"Of course I would," Ken said in a low voice. "Iris is important to me."

"Ken..." Iris wanted to smile at him, but she was still angry with her father.

"Boy," Tanaka said, making his voice gruff. "You're coming with me."

"Why?" Ken asked.

"Because you are going to help me find someone," Tanaka said.

"You've been trying to find out about Aono senpai," Ken accused.

"That's right," Tanaka said. "And you're going help me, by taking me to your school."

"That is not going to happen," Tsukune cut in.

Lieutenant Tanaka turned to face the new voice. He saw another young man, and two of Iris' schoolmates, standing on the sidewalk just beyond the other side of the driveway. It didn't mater to him that he was out-numbered. Tanaka had been well trained and was good at his job.

Tsukune had been paying attention to what was going on. As long as things stayed calm, there would be no need for him to do anything, and he hoped that would be the case. As he listened to the exchange between the man and the others Tsukune had freed his arms and stepped a little apart from Aiko and Rina.

"You stay out of this," Lieutenant Tanaka ordered. "This does not concern you."

"I think it does." Tsukune said. "Visitors to the school are not allowed, for the safety of everybody involved."

"I have my orders," Lieutenant Tanaka said.

"And so do I," Tsukune said.

"Father..." Iris tried to speak up.

"Not now," Tanaka snapped as he drew out his baton. He needed to keep his attention on the problem facing him. Her daughter's little distraction was one thing, but this young man was something else entirely. Tanaka recognized a threat when he saw one. "This boy is coming with me. I have questions and he has the answers."

"No," Tsukune said firmly. "His safety is my responsibility."

"And just who are you?" Lieutenant Tanaka demanded.

"I am Aono Tsukune," Tsukune said.

"You?" Lieutenant Tanaka was stunned.

Nobody said anything for a moment. Ken, Iris, Aiko, and Rina all felt the tension in the air. Lieutenant Tanaka had been digging for information about the very person who was standing in front of him, and standing up to him. Tsukune was on guard, not knowing what would happen next, and not wanting to be the person to turn the situation into a fight. Lieutenant Tanaka was caught in a moment of indecision. He had been ordered to locate Aono Tsukune, but now that the young man was standing in front of him, he had no idea what to do next.

De-de-de-de

The sound of a cell phone ringing cut through the air. Everybody looked at each other with questioning eyes. Tanaka was glad that it was too dark for anybody to see him blush. He reached into his pocket for his phone.

"Yes," Lieutenant Tanaka said into his phone

Tsukune could hear a loud voice coming from the man's phone, but couldn't understand it. The lieutenant was listening to whoever it was on the other end of the call while holding the phone eight inches away form his ear. The angry voice coming through still made the man flinch.

Lieutenant Tanaka returned his phone to his pocket, feeling defeated. He had been surprised when he saw that it was his captain's number in the caller ID. When he answered the call, everything went to hell in a hand basket. The Imperial Cosmologist's office had sent word, through the Prime Minister's office, to the head of the National Police Agency, to the Imperial Guard, to Tanaka's captain, that Lieutenant Tanaka was exceeding his orders and he was to stop what he was doing and return to the office at once. Of course, because the message had come through such high offices, Tanaka's captain was beyond upset. The lieutenant knew that when he reported to his captain, if his career survived, that he was going to be walking on egg shells for a long time to come. He looked at Aono Tsukune and sighed.

"Just who are you?" Tanaka Ito questioned Tsukune. "Why are so many eyes watching you?"

"I'm nobody special," Tsukune said. "I just do the best that I can and hope it will all work out."

Tanaka Ito examined Aono Tsukune with a critical eye. He was a little taller then average, with a healthy build. His school uniform was clean, and even his shoes were polished. Around his right wrist was gold bracelet with a charm of some kind. Around his left was a black bracelet. Tanaka remembered what he had been first told about him. He was "restrained by gold upon his right and supported by iron on his left, and carries a token of Nippon's favor from her own hand..." It was all such nonsense.

"Father," Iris said in a stern voice. "Are you finished embarrassing me tonight?"

"What?" Tanaka turned towards her, and saw her leaning against her boy crush. "You need to stay away from him." He started to reach for his daughter.

Tsukune didn't want to get involved in a family argument. He didn't want to draw any more attention to himself. Such thoughts raced through his mind, but were trampled down by his desire to help his friends, and to do what he could to protect their happiness.

"Lieutenant," Tsukune barked in a commanding tone.

"What?" Tanaka snapped back.

His hand was on his daughter's wrist as he paused and turned his head towards Tsukune. Iris was leaning back from her father, and towards Ken as if she needed his protection. Tsukune could see the frustration in the man's face.

"Lieutenant," Tsukune said in a firm voice. "I think your work here is done. You should go, before things get out of hand."

Tanaka Ito looked Tsukune in the eyes and saw his determination. He looked back at his daughter, and saw anger, and a touch of fear. He looked down at his own hand and frowned.

"Lieutenant," Tsukune spoke to him again. "I think you should give your daughter a chance. I have someone in my life that has to worry about living up to her father's expectations. I am sure your daughter loves you very much, and would not want to do anything you would truly disapprove of."

"You're right," Tanaka sighed, drawing back his hand. "But it is getting late."

"We will be leaving soon," Tsukune said.

"Iris," Tanaka Ito said to his daughter. "I want you to be safe."

"I will be," Iris said. "Good night, Father."

With a parting glare for Ken, Tanaka turned and walked away. Once he had been out of sight for a slow count to fifty, Iris let out a sigh and relaxed. All things considered, she thought that the encounter had gone well, and she wouldn't have to tell her mother about it any time soon.

Tsukune let himself relax a little. He had noticed that the lieutenant had walked onto the school grounds, where he had been presumably waiting for Ken's arrival. That meant that the man was probably going to keep watch over them until they left. As long as it didn't cause any trouble, Tsukune was fine with that.

The little group broke up a short time later. Tsukune and Ken had to return to school, and the girls had their own responsibilities and reputations to worry about. Tanaka waited for an hour after that before leaving. He had to get back to the office, and he hoped that his career wouldn't be stained too badly by the incident.

XXXX

Tsukune was glad to return to the Youkai Academy. All the more so because he had kept everybody safe. He dropped Ken off at the dorms before returning to his house in the village. He would make a report to the Board Chairman in the morning, but he wanted a chance to relax first. He wasn't surprised to see the lights still on in the windows of his house. Nor was he surprised to find Ruby waiting up for him. That she and Moka were sitting together drinking tea, wasn't all that out of place ether. Tsukune gave them a warm smile, glad to be back.

XXX

Rina and Aiko sat together in their dorm's Day Room. The common area was a popular place to gather for group studies and watching movies. At the moment the were alone, with a stash of ice cream large enough for five, and they were inflicting heavy damage upon it. Both of them were facing the same dilemma. Tsukune had been impressive. He had shown his loyal and serious side when he had shown up with Ken. His warm and compassionate side was there for them to see, not just during the Summer Break, but also during their casual afternoon together. And then at the school gates, when Tsukune had been ready to protect his school mate, and Iris, Tsukune had showed a sense of determination and purpose that had been impressive.

"Those girlfriends of his are lucky," Aiko said. "They get to see him every day."

"It's not fair," Rina muttered.

"I know," Aiko nodded, playing with her spoon in a bowl almost empty of ice cream. "Even Iris got a boyfriend of her own."

"The worst part," Rina grumbled. "Is trying to find someone like Tsukune."

"Yeah," Aiko sighed in agreement.

"But you know," Rina gave her a calculating look. "I remember hearing that one of the couples during the Test of Courage was an old friend of Tsukune's and one of his school mates that he introduced to each other."

"Oh?" Aiko responded.

"Do you think he might have any more friends?" Rina asked with a gleam in her eye.