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 135

"One more week until winter break," Tsukune said with a relieved sigh Monday afternoon.

The Newspaper Club was doing some early work for the next edition and just hanging out in their club room. Tsukune was in good spirits because, as busy as he was, he was still enjoying a relatively peaceful school life for the time being. Even being as busy as he was, his school life wasn't extremely different from what he felt it should be for a normal high school student. He had classes and home work, along with club and committee activities, but that was like countless other students throughout Japan in their third year of high school. He even had a part time job like many other normal students. It was true that he was a little busier then most students, and his job was as a ranking police officer, but that didn't really bother him. He reflected on all of this as he leaned back in his seat in the club room for a moment.

"Alright," Tsukune said as he sat up in his chair and started to reach for pen and paper. "What do we want to for the front page for January?"

The club room was quickly filled with lively conversation. Yukari produced a list of school clubs and their plan of event for the near future. Mizore had some notes about housekeeping and decoration she wanted to do something with. Moka opened a folder of magazine clippings about recent fashions and popular new trends. Kokoa didn't have anything specific to offer, but she did get pen and paper out, ready to contribute if the opportunity allowed. Kurumu pulled out her notebook filled with recipes and cooking tips. While some of the conversation was about planing the next edition, most of it was just fun talk among friends about the same topics.

While more a social gathering than a work meeting, it was still a productive hour. The club would have hung out together longer if the need to study had not been hanging over everybody's head. As everybody started gathering their things, Kurumu took a moment to approach Tsukune.

"Tsukune," Kurumu said, reaching out to rest a hand against his chest. "Can you spend some time with me?"

"Hmm?" Tsukune paused in reaching for his bag. He could tell something was different from the way Kurumu was acting, and her emotions were a tight, unreadable knot within him. "Yes." Tsukune gave her a firm nod. He took up his bag, and then took Kurumu's hand. "Let's go on ahead." He looked around the room. "We'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank you," Kurumu said, trying not to smile and blush with excitement while happy feelings swelled up in side.

"Moka," Yukari called out to the older vampire. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure," Moka said with a polite smile.

"Um..." Yukari hesitated.

"Let's get some juice," Moka suggested as she gathered up her things. "We can talk on the way back tot he village."

"Yes," Yukari agreed. "Thank you."

Kokoa watched the exchange and wondered if she should be bothered by it. The younger Vampire had been spending more time with her sister, as time and different schedules allowed, and was starting to see more of her 'real' sister in the 'fake' one. It wasn't really the relationship with her sister that she wanted, but it was a start. She was also learning to see that the relationship that she had wanted when she had first arrived at the school wasn't what she wanted any more ether. She would have liked to talk to someone about it, but looking around, she saw that she was the last one in the room again.

XxXxXxX

Kurumu held Tsukune's hand as they left the school building. Normally she liked to hug his arm to her chest, as much for the feeling of having it there as to tease him with her breasts, but just holding his had in such a casual, easy way made her feel good too. Once they were clear of the building, Kurumu drew Tsukune along over to the patio by the cafeteria. There were a few other students scattered about studying, but most of the tables were empty. Tsukune let Kurumu guide him, patiently letting her pick her pace and decide when to express what was on her mind. After hitting up a vending machine for some cans of juice, they found a bench in a secluded corner to sit down together.

"Tsukune," Kurumu said, looking serious while feeling a little nervous. "Do you remember what we talked about before Summer Break? When we went out to dinner that last time, and before?"

"Hmmm," Tsukune had to take a moment to think back. That was the night he confessed to her. They had gone out to a restaurant for supper. The talked bout food and Kurumu's writing about food. "We talked about your future plans as a writer," Tsukune said with a small frown. "How to go about it. You wanted to find something to do that didn't involve being an idol. At least you didn't want to be just an idol." He looked to her. "Am I right?"

"Yes," Kurumu blushed. It felt so good that Tsukune remembered their time together so well. It made her feel so special and loved. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I've got a job coming up..."

"That's great," Tsukune said, leaning over to bump her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll be a hit."

"But I haven't told you what I'll be doing," Kurumu protested.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said in a warm voice. "I know you. You're smart and capable. You've got a beautiful smile and a good heart. It doesn't mater what you decide to do, because I know you will do your best and be a success."

"I'm not that smart," Kurumu pouted. "I'm barely keeping in the top half of the class."

"There's more then one kind of smart," Tsukune pointed out. "There's a reason you're a good cook you know. You can also sew, sing, and dance."

"Awww," Kurumu blushed, excited by Tsukune's praise.

"I believe in you," Tsukune said. "I know you will be able to get anything you really want to go after."

"You really think so?" Kurumu challenged.

"I love you, Kurumu," Tsukune said firmly. "It took more than two years for you to get me to say that. Two years of watching me. Two years of me doing my best to be with someone else. If you can dedicate yourself to more than two years working on some worthless nobody like me, just think of what you can achieve for yourself."

"Hey," Kurumu smacked Tsukune in the shoulder. "What do you mean worthless? You're the most important and special person I have ever known."

"Kurumu," Tsukune smiled. "I'm just a weak nobody who is lucky enough to have the most wonderful people in my life, and a cute girlfriend that can do anything she sets her wonderful heart to."

"You..." Kurumu knew that Tsukune was just teasing her now, but she couldn't help but be happy with what he said. She shook her fist at him out of principle, but she couldn't stop blushing.

"So what kind of job are you going to be doing?" Tsukune asked with an innocent smile.

"You..." Kurumu's face twisted through tend different smiles and frowns as she struggled to regain her composure. Finally she blew out a frustrated sigh and got her thoughts in order.

"I found an agent that knows what she's doing," Kurumu explained. "A small cooking show is going to be doing live broadcasts from shopping centers around the Tokyo area, highlighting local restaurants and shops. My job is going to be on camera reading short facts about sponsors' products while posing with them. They want to get men to buy the products for their wives and girlfriends."

"I see," Tsukune nodded. "So this is a stepping stone for you." He gave her a bright smile. "Get as much information as you can about the products, and then find out about the competition. That way you can write a buyers guide for the school paper."

"Yeah," Kurumu brightened. "I could use that as a clipping for my portfolio."

"Well this is good news," Tsukune said holding up his can of juice for a toast. "A step towards the future."

"A happy future," Kurumu added as she lifted her own can.

"Kampai," They said together as the cans touched.

"But Tsukune," Kurumu said after taking a sip of her juice. "This means I won't be around for most of the break. In fact, I leave right after our tests this week."

"You'll be fine," Tsukune encouraged. "I know what it is like to have to put your responsibilities ahead of being with friends. It's a small sacrifice now to help make sure you have a good future."

"But wont you miss me?" Kurumu pouted a little.

"Of course I'm going to miss you," Tsukune huffed. "I miss you when I'm just having a busy day and I don't have time to talk with you." He paused and smiled. "But you are always with me, Kurumu." He put a hand to his chest. "You are a part of me, and a part of my life no mater where you are."

"Awww," Kurumu said, blushing again.

"We should go," Tsukune said, setting his unfinished juice down on the bench. He stood and held out both hands to Kurumu. "We have studying to do."

"Alright," Kurumu pouted. She accepted Tsukune's hands and assistance and got to her feet.

As they walked away together, Tsukune was careful to not be seen looking back over his shoulder. After his last comment about Kurumu being a part of his life, her's was not the only voice Tsukune had heard respond to his words. As he walked with Kurumu, Tsukune saw a pair of girls he didn't recognize come around a corner. A moment later they hurried off. The young pair had huge grin's on their faces and Tsukune's abandoned can of juice in their hands as if it was some kind of treasure.

VvvvvV _A_

After getting some juice from the cafeteria, Yukari and Moka walked together back towards the village. Moka could tell that something was weighing on Yukari's mind. The young witch was taking her time to organize her thoughts and choose her words.

"Moka," Yukari said at last. "I wanted to know what you thought about love."

"Excuse me?" Moka questioned. Yukari had been good about not going on about her impossible threesome dream, or trying to find some way to push herself off on ether her or Tsukune for a while. Moka wondered what her friend was thinking about.

"I am trying to understand what it means to love someone," Yukari said.

"I'm not sure I understand what you're asking me," Moka said.

"Well," Yukari looked at her. "You love Tsukune, right?"

"Yes I do," Moka said with a smile.

"Why?" Yukari challenged.

"Because of all that he has ever done for me," Moka answered, starting slowly. "He has always been there for us when we needed him. On the very first day we met, he became my friend, my first true friend. He has shared his blood with us. He has done his best to protect us,even when he didn't need to. He has the courage to stand up to us, but respects our choices and listens to what I have to say to him."

"But he's always been like that," Yukari pointed out. She didn't say anything about it, but she noticed how Moka kept using the plural pronouns when she was referring to herself. Yukari wondered how much Outer Moka and Inner Moka shared with each other.

"Yes," Moka nodded. "He has always been like that. He has always been loyal. He has always been kind. Even when he was afraid, he has always been brave enough to stand by my side when I needed him. And after he has done so much, for me, when I do something for him, and he smiles at me, it makes me feel happy. I want him to be happy no mater what, because I love him. Probably because I love him, seeing him happy makes me happy." Moka gave a little shake of her head, as if trying to clear her mind. "Yes, I love Tsukune, Somewhere, somehow, he went from being my friend to being the most important person in my life."

"How does reverse Moka feel about him?" Yukari wanted to know.

"We just told you," Moka said. "He is our most important person."

That made Yukari blink. She was used to thinking of the two sides of Moka being very different people, almost like sisters that avoided each other. After that brief exchange, Yukari wondered if she had been too oblivious to the true nature of her friend. Yukari filed that thought away for later.

"How do you feel about Kokoa?" Yukari asked. "You love her too, don't you?"

"Of course," Moka gave Yukari an amused smile. "She is my little sister. I have shared a lot with her, even if we usually don't get along. I want her to be happy and safe, and I worry about how she is doing."

"But it is a different kind of love than you have for Tsukune," Yukari clarified.

"That's right," Moka agreed.

"I see," Yukari mused, nodding her head as she walked. "Thank you." Yukari slipped into her own world of thoughts and reasoning as she walked on. Moka had helped her get a better view of the bigger picture about love, but there were still a lot of pieces missing from the puzzle.

XxXxX

Inari was not sure how she should feel about the coming Winter break. She had succeeded in getting a schedule that would give her several long days with Tsukune at the koban, and she had been looking forward to working closely with him, but that was before the rumor had started to get around. The one time she had forgotten herself, and gotten close to her captain, had created a potential problem. A few mouths had try to spread around a rumor about her and Tsukune being intimate, but nobody really took it to seriously. There were still rumors about the two human girls Tsukune had been with at the festival's dance. Any time Aono Tsukune spend more then a few minutes with any female, speculation started. The rumor that was bothering Inari came from the way her captain had acted when they had been discovered. He had been comforting Inari in a very friendly way, and had acted concerned for her health. He hadn't just been mouthing words ether. He had shown that he actually cared about Inari. There was a persistent, if quiet rumor going around that Inari was being considered for a place in the harem. While she had no problems with being counted as close to her captain, she was worried what he would think of her if he found out.

As she walked to school Thursday morning, Inari tried not to think about the coming break. She had end of term exams to get through. Once those exams were over, it would be time to focus on the next set of exams, the ones for applying to universities. She could spend time over the break studying. That should help distract her from rumors. As she entered the school building, she idly wondered if Tsukune would help her study.

XxXxXxxXX

It was the kind of moment that mothers are forever warning their children to avoid. An afternoon in the company of friends sharing interests. Being too preoccupied with talking to pay proper attention of where a foot is stepping. A careless moment when a turned head leads to a misstep on a stair.

Aono Kasumi had been visiting with a neighbor to talk about a popular drama Thursday afternoon. It happened as she headed for home to get started on cooking dinner. It was just two steps down to the street. She turned her head to share a parting comment with her friend. Instead of making a clean step down, her right heel caught the edge of the lower step. Kasumi committed her weight to her leading leg before she realized the danger. She felt herself starting to fall. She tried to reach of the fence next to her for a hand hold, hoping to catch herself. Her right leg started to pivot on the caught ankle as she continued to tip. Her left foot slipped and the world started to shift. Pain like fire lanced through her right leg.

"Kiyaaaaa!" Kasumi cried out as she fell towards the street.