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 145

After breakfast back at the Shirayuki household, it was time for Tsukune to return to school. He didn't have any commitments scheduled, but he wanted to see if Moka was back from her trip yet. Mizore, while still struggling from her embarrassment from earlier, was just as determined as ever to stay with Tsukune, so she intended to ride with him back to school as well. All morning she kept looking at Tsukune and wondering what he felt after seeing the sculpture that she had made of him. To make maters worse, when she looked at him, she often found Tsukune looking back at her with unreadable eyes.

The trip back to the school was quick and uneventful. Tsukune only stopped once, to check his phone for messages. There was a short voice mail from Kurumu saying that her job was going well and and that she missed Tsukune. The several emails Tsukune received, he downloaded and saved to his phone to be read later. After that it was non stop back to school.

Once back to school, and back in the student village, Mizore retreated to her house. She wanted some time alone to try and calm down. She gave Tsukune a vague excuse about needed to wash something before practically running away from him. Tsukune could tell something was bothering Mizore, and even had a good guess what it was, but did not want to press her on the issue just yet. He needed some time to address his own feelings, and to take care of his own business.

Tsukune had to resist his desire to rush things. He knew that some things had to be handled carefully, while others needed to done with consideration for appearances. He returned the the manor for a chance to clean up and to put on some fresh clothes. Once he felt presentable, he walked to Moka's house to see if she had returned. Kiyo greeted Tsukune and they exchanged pleasantries. When Tsukune asked if Moka had returned, the answer was no. He lingered a moment more to be polite before returning to the manor.

Tsukune realized that he had become used to the pressures of his normal life at the academy. Now that he had some free time, his life had changed so much from when he had first started attending the school, that Tsukune didn't know what he should do. He thought about that for a moment, and tried to think about what he would like to do. He though about what he liked, and what was important to him. From there, a course of action came to mind.

XxxXxxX

Mizore was feeling on edge. Tsukune had not said anything to her about the likeness of him she had raised up in her village's sculpture garden. He had not show her anything but polite kindness all morning, which is how he usually treated her. Mizore knew that she wanted more from Tsukune than that, and had even hoped for some small change in their relationship, some indication that she was getting closer to his heart, but after his morning in the village, she was afraid of how her relationship with Tsukune might change.

Mizore thought about quitting school and running away. If she left, right then, without seeing Tsukune again, she wouldn't have to face him. Mizzore could run away before Tsukune rejected her, breaking her heart. If she hurried, she could run back to her village, accept an arranged marriage, and have a life she could still dream about what could have been. But if she did run away, Mizore knew, she would be breaking her vow. She had promised to stay with Tsukune, and to follow him no mater who he decided to spend his life with. She admitted to herself, that if she ran away, now or ever, she would be destroying her own chance at finding happiness.

No, Mizore thought to herself, she would not run away. If Tsukune rejected her, she would settle for being his friend, but she would not give up until he told her directly that there was no hope for the future that she wanted with him. Mizore cleaned herself up and repacked her bag with fresh clothes. If Moka wasn't back, Mizore would spend the night with Tsukune. If he left again, Mizore would follow him. She would not leave Tsukune.

With renewed determination, Mizore headed for the kitchen. It was nearly lunch time, and she intended to do her best for Tsukune. She would make an obento to take to him. If Moka was back, Mizore could just save the food for later, or eat it herself so it wouldn't go to waste. Bringing Tsukune lunch would give her a perfectly good reason for having left his side when they returned to school, and for returning to him to find out what his plans for the day were.

Mizore liked her housemate. Anna was a water type youkai so their natures didn't clash. Even better was that Anna had a boyfriend of her own, so the few times she and Mizore talked, they had some common feelings to share. Anna had gained her papers so she could come and go from the academy as she pleased, so she could work and travel to see her boyfriend, which game Mizore the house to herself. Of course there were disadvantages to having the house to herself, Mizore knew. There were times she wished for someone to talk to about Tsukune, but her closest friends were also her greatest competition when it came to him. The other disadvantage of being by herself was that there was nobody to answer the door while she was busy cooking. This was something she was reminded of while she was still slicing the meat for Tsukune's obento.

Mizore could have used an ice puppet to answer the door if she wanted to. There was more than enough water in the bath tub for the job. However, there were two good reasons for not using her talents for such a task. The first was that if anything went wrong, she would have to clean up the mess. The second reason was because of who was likely to be knocking at her door.

"Tsukune," Mizore answered the door. "Please come in."

"Please forgive my intrusion," Tsukune said. "I hope I am not bothering you."

"You are always welcome," Mizore reminded him. "I was just making lunch for you. Please have a seat."

Tsukune sat at the table and Mizore quickly served him some tea before returning to the kitchen. Tsukune talked about Hana, and the Board Chairman's plan to bring more humans to the school. Mizore's support for the plan was based on Tsukune's. She was willing to admit that coexistence was a good thing, because she would have never met Tsukune if she had stayed in her village, or if he, a human, had not been let into the academy. Beyond that, Mizore didn't have much to say about it.

Mizore served lunch for the both of them. It wasn't how she had planned, but she was getting to be with Tsukune. Having lunch together was just a tiny part of what she would like to do with him. Tsukune had not missed that she had said she was making lunch for him when he had arrived.

"Mizore," Tsukune said as he set down his chopsticks. "Thank you for lunch."

"You're welcome," Mizore said. "You know I like doing things for you."

"I know," Tsukune nodded. "You have done a lot for me, Mizore. I'm sorry I haven't been fair to you. I think that letting myself accept so much from you with me giving you so little is something I should correct."

"Tsukune..." Mizore's heart clenched. All of her fear from the morning returned. "What are you saying?" Her voice was tight with anxiousness.

"This morning," Tsukune said. "That woman you called Aunty Sinna explained what your statue of me in that garden meant. She explained it's tradition, and what it most likely meant for you to have done what you did. I'm honored."

"You're not upset?" Mizore questioned, filled with emotions running in every direction.

"Mizore," Tsukune reached out and took her hand. "During first year, for my birthday, Moka drew a picture of me. It made me very happy that she had taken the time and effort to do it. That she was thinking about me that much. I knew about your ability to shape ice. You even used it once to help Moka and I have a date. I still owe you for that."

"Tsu..." Mizore tried to speak.

"What you did," Tsukune went on. "That statue in that garden, it was more that just ice shaped like me. It was an expression of your feelings."

"Yes," Mizore nodded, talking in a small voice.

"You made it," Tsukune said. "Because you love me, and you want everybody in your village, everybody close to you to know how you feel about me."

"Yes," Mizore nodded, with tears starting to well up in her eyes. Tsukune was right in what he was saying. Tsukune understood her feelings.

"I was thinking about it all morning," Tsukune continued. "Even that time in first year, when you made your puppets for me, or any time you made ice puppets, it was because you had strong feelings. Those puppets of me from first year were an expression of your feelings for me also."

"Yes," Mizore nodded again, her voice a cracking whisper. "Tsukune..."

"Mizore," Tsukune said warmly. "Thank you. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your loyalty. Thank you for your love. I want to thank you, and to say that I love you too. I hope that it is alright with you."

"Tsukune..." Mizore tried to smile. "I know that you care about me..."

"That's not what I mean," Tsukune shook his head. "Mizore, you know about my relationship with Moka. You are perceptive, so I'm sure you know that Kurumu and I have become close as well. I know I'm weak and indecisive, letting myself love them both, and I'm sorry."

"I don't care," Mizore said quickly. "I told you that I don't care who else you love, or even who comes before me in your heart. Tsukune, I just want to be with you."

"I know," Tsukune said. "Mizore I understand what you are saying. Please, listen to what I am saying."

"Tsukune..." Mizore paused.

"I'm doing a bad job of this I know," Tsukune said. "But I am trying to do a confession. You know that I love Moka. I love Kurumu. And" Tsukune took a breath and gave her hand an extra little squeeze. "Shirayuki Mizore, I love you."

"Tsukune..." Mizore's lips quivered and tears started to run down her face.

"I know that I am weak and selfish," Tsukune sighed. "And I know that you deserve someone who can love you, and only you, but..."

Tsukune's words were cut off as Mizore launched herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. In an instant, she was kissing him with all the passion in her heart.

XXXXXX-VvvvvV-XXXXXX

Moka was in a foul mood Friday morning. After a week of bickering she had finally come to understand why the gnomes were so thick headed and long winded. The simple truth was that the gnomes lived very long lives so they had no worry about wasting time. In addition, they liked the distraction of a good debate. For the gnomes, dragging things out was a way of taking a holiday from working to socialize. A part of the reason for everybody's lineage to be announced was to help set up mach-making opportunities. If an unattached young man or woman could give a well thought out argument, it could be seen as a positive attribute, making them an attractive potential catch. Moka suspected that because she was not well known to the gnomes, that they were also dragging out their debate for the novelty of having her presiding.

Moka wanted the nonsense business over with. She was missing her winter break with Tsukune. She wasn't even having much luck working on her school assignments. Lord Brone hosted her each evening for supper, in a very casual and informal setting. It turned out that his formal estate and his normal home overlapped in a strange way. He had a mortal, human identity of an eccentric business man with a large piece of ranch land, of which the Argent Cairn was a part. After listening to the gnomes all day, her evening talks with Lord Brone were enlightening and thought provoking. One of the things that he had explained to her was how he separated his human identity from his supernatural one, so that he could have human friends and relationships. He had the same desire for coexistence as the Board Chairman, even if he went about supporting it in a different way.

When Moka woke up Friday morning, the thought of spending another day listening to gnomish counselors bickering over gold vs silver, and tradition vs convenience, made her want to bite something. But then one of the gnomes, a young girl of only fifty or so yeas of age, who had been acting as one of Moka's maids, brought Moka a letter. Moka had been surprised to get the letter, and happy to discover that it was from Tsukune. The letter from Tsukune made Moka feel better. It was physical proof that he was thinking of her, and that he wanted to share his life with her. He wrote about how his mother was doing, and how she had asked about her. Their friends appeared to be doing just fine. Moka was a little less than happy about what Tsukune had to say about his trip to Mizore's village, and how things were between Mizore and himself, but he was being open and honest with her.

Moka read the letter during breakfast. It helped her feel a little better, even as it made her miss Tsukune a little more. When she was done eating, and reading, Moka put the letter away and got ready to take on another day of being a Dame. She thought she saw a way to solve the problem of the gold, but there were still a few pieces of her plan missing.

Xx-O O-xX

Kurumu returned to the 'Back Stage' area for the day. In the few days she had held the lead roll, the events had become more popular. Because the former lead chef had always called her 'Sweetheart,' it had caught on. She was now listed in the script and credits under the title of The Sweetheart Cook. Assistant Chef Boke, as he was not so affectionately known, now had the responsibility of getting the 'kitchen' set up for the shows. And as long as he didn't mess up too badly, everything went well. Of course he had tried once to sabotage Kurumu during a show. The official reprimand and deduction from his pay had been nowhere near as scary as the illusion that Kurumu had treated him to. His outburst during a broadcast about her being a monster had only made him look more foolish. His wardrobe had been officially changed to a crumpled hat and an oversized shirt with the buttons done crooked. Kurumu's wardrobe had been left alone, because she already looked cute, but she was now the center of attention during the broadcasts, so the cameras always followed her. Because she was cute, and the shows were funny, people were sharing images and videos. More and more young, and a few not so young, men were showing up to the live events. The sponsors were happy with the extra attention the production was receiving, so the parent studio was happy.

Kurumu was pleased by the way things were going. Her agent, Ms. Mori Nori, agreed that things were going well also. The autograph seekers were not many, yet, but people were recording or photographing her appearances every day. With her popularity on the rise, Kurumu's career was getting a good start. She cautioned Kurumu to be careful and not over play her popularity. A slow rise in being popular would help build a more stable foundation for her career.

When Kurumu had finished her work for the day she had turned on her cell phone to check for messages. While she had not received any emails, Tsukune had left her a voice message. He had called her number form the public land line at school. The message was short, but very special to Kurumu. Tsukune said that he loved her and missed being with her, so Kurumu knew she was going to save the message for as long as she could. He also asked Kurumu to send Norra to him, which made Kurumu wondered if something strange was going on.

Kurumu sent Norra to see Tsukune right away. She didn't know the reason for the request, but the fact that it came form Tsukune was enough for Kurumu. The succubus was surprised to find Norra back in the hotel room when she came out of the bath. The large feline looking creature was sprawled across the bed, and next to it was a letter. Kurumu understood right away that the letter was from Tsukune. In nothing but her towel, Kurumu snatched up the letter, cuddled with Norra, and started reading.

The letter wasn't about anything truly serious or important. Tsukune had taken the time to share his feelings and life with Kurumu because she was important to him. Kurumu pouted a bit over what Tsukune had to say about Mizore, but it was of little importance in the over all scheme of things. Kurumu may not have been especially excited about the content of the letter, but that wasn't important. What was important was that Tsukune was thinking of her. He put his feelings and thoughts into writing. Kurumu had received very few letters from Tsukune in the past, and they had always been polite and friendly. This was the first letter that Tsukune had written and signed with love. With a girlish squeal, Kurumu sprang from the bed. She decided to write a letter of her own.