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 159

Tsukune and his companions were gather together back at the manor. He sat with his friends with a scowl on his face. Kurumu had a bright smile. Mizore looked amused. Moka had an expression that was mixed equal parts smugness and relief. Ruby served them tea.

Tsukune was dealing with sour feelings about how the meeting had gone. He was, he thought understandably unhappy to learn that Fairy Tail was actively hunting for him. The fact that the people that wanted to help him would be in more danger than he was did not sit well ether. Tsukune was unsure how he should feel about the idea of the Yakuza and the police both wanting to help him. Having to run away from the police, to avoid being arrested, for his own protection, had left Tsukune feeling bitter. A part of his mind couldn't help but list all the ways the meeting, and how it had turned out, could damage the future he hoped to build.

Kurumu was in direct contrast to Tsukune's mood. She had liked watching the way Tsukune had made the other two men look foolish. He had been calm and in control from the moment he had walked in the door. When he had left, it had been with a bit of flare that had made an impression on everybody.

Mizore had enjoyed the little outing. She had gone with the others to support Tsukune, and to help him if was needed. It had taken a small argument to get Tsukune to agree, but he had seen reason in the end. While it was not any kind of date, Mizore had liked watching Tsukune. She liked seeing him being firm and in charge in front of others, because it made moments when he was gentle and yielding with her all the more special.

Moka was of two minds about how the trip away from school had turned out. Her inner self had been the one who had been ready to act if Tsukune ended up needing help. As things turned out, she had simple had a good seat for an interesting performance. Tsukune had been in control from start to finish. He had given the two human men just enough information to leave them with more questions. Inner Moka felt proud that her Tsukune had so effectively shown his superior position over the two men. Moka had also overheard what Tsukune had said to them about her. He had not given any names, but had openly referred to her as his girlfriend. He had made his feelings quite clear. Inner Moka's sense of satisfaction ran up against outer Moka's relief that nothing had gone wrong. No violence had broken out. Tsukune had not been placed in danger and nobody had gotten hurt. She knew it would have bother Tsukune more if he had been forced to hurt anybody than if he had been injured. While she could tell that Tsukune was unhappy about how the meeting went, Moka was willing to accept that. Moka had believed in Tsukune, and it felt good to have her faith validated, at the same time, she was glad that nothing had happened to him.

XxxXxxX

Moka tried to see past her own feelings. She, Tsukune, and the others had enjoyed a little studying time together, as well as supper. When the hour started to get late, since Moka had shown no intention of leaving Tsukune's side, Kurumu and Mizore had settled for retreating to the guest rooms in the manor that they had staked out for their semi-regular use. After a comforting bath together as a couple, it had been time for bed. Moka had quickly cuddled up beside Tsukune, still glad about how the day had turned out. As happy/relieved as she was, Moka was still aware of how tense Tsukune was holding himself. It was clear that he was still unhappy about something.

"Tsukune," Moka asked. "Would you like to tell me what is bothering you?"

"I'm just thinking about the future," Tsukune sighed.

"Oh..." Moka didn't know what to say about that.

"I'm glad that nobody got hurt today," Tsukune went on. "But I can't help but worry about how today may have hurt my future..." He looked at Moka lying beside him. "Our future."

"How could it?" Moka asked.

"Lieutenant Tanaka is a member of the Imperial Guard of the National Police," Tsukune explained. "He can report that I ran away. I don't know if that counts as disobeying an order, but it can count as hindering an investigation. That can be a black mark on my record. If he goes to his superiors, he can get an order for me to turn myself in. I could lose my chance to go to a university for police training. That will make it harder to build up for opening my own security company."

"You can still open your own company," Moka tried to reassure him.

"But I won't have as good as a set of references," Tsukune said. "That means smaller jobs."

"That doesn't sound too terrible," Moka tried to be encouraging.

"But Moka," Tsukune protested as he rolled over to face her. "Will it be enough? What happens if my security company turns out to be just me, Inari, and the twins? I will have to work in the office and out wherever the customer needs me. I'll never be able to afford much of anything. I'll just be another small business owner trying to make things work."

"I'm sure you could..." Moka started.

"But will it be enough?" Tsukune's voice was filled with frustration. "Will it be enough for you? For both of you? For your family? Will it be enough for us to have a life together, or will I end up being not good enough? Gahhhh..." Tsukune flopped over onto his back again. "Moka, I love you. I want to be worthy of you. Today might have ruined everything." Tsukune rolled out of bed and stared pacing.

Moka was at a loss. She was seeing Tsukune frustrated in a way she never had before. She wanted to comfort him, to sooth his worries, but she could not. Her own frustrations about the future rose up in her mind. She was still looking for something she could do to keep her family from trying to dictate her life. With her own future still undecided, she couldn't think of anything she could say or do to help Tsukune.

Xxx=^.^=xxX

Inari knew something was bothering her captain. His smile was stiff, like the rest of him, and didn't have his usual warmth. That note in his voice that touched her was making her more agitated than aroused. Inari had decided to get as many shifts with her captain as she could. She made it a point to watch the schedule at the Koban for changes, and was quick to make deals if she had to in order to be on at the same time as Tsukune.

Inari was careful to keep everything professional and polite during the morning. She and Tsukune both took turns walking a patrol of the area. At lunch, Inari tried to get Tsukune to warm up to her a little by sharing her obento with him. She had actually packed four lunch boxes that morning, because she wanted to be ready. The first was just a normal lunch, in case Tsukune was going to be out of the koban. The second was rice and spicy chicken and vegetables. The third was a more mild fried pork dish. Inari could feed Tsukune a full lunch, or just share with him to offer him some variety. The fourth Obento, Inari had it made just out of stubborn determination and a healthy dose of wishful thinking, was actually a very cute lunch for a couple to share, with cut sausages, carved vegetables, and two-colored rice, white with a pink heart in the middle. When Tsukune brought out his obento, Inari was quick to decide on which of hers to share. Leaving the other three out of sight, she pulled a chair over to Tsukune's desk and opened her spicy lunch to share with him.

Inari was nervous about being too friendly with Tsukune when she had seen how tense he had been that morning. She didn't want to spoil what she was trying to build with him. When she offered to share her lunch with him, she was rewarded by a smile that was a little tired looking, but warm and friendly. Inari saw that smile and thought she would melt with relief.

"Tsukune," Inari said carefully while they were cleaning up. "You seem a little worried about something today."

"Hmmm?" Tsukune gave her an unreadable look for a moment. "I've just been thinking about my future."

"Your future?" Inari probed.

"About what I plan to do after we graduate," Tsukune clarified.

"Well," Inari smiled. "We have to do something. I was thinking about studying police sciences."

"I recall," Tsukune nodded. "During our shift over the break we talked about which schools might be worth going to."

"What do you plan after that?" Inari asked.

"I hope to work a few years with the police before opening my own company," Tsukune answered. "Private investigations and security guards."

"Your own company?" Inari questioned carefully. "That would be a good way to protect yourself, wouldn't it?"

"What do you mean?" Tsukune asked.

"It is something we all have to worry about," Inari said. "Some more than others. It is like those exercises they started giving us. How do you get along with others without giving away that we are different. If you have your own company, there is less risk of having to work with somebody that might try to pry. If somebody starts to get too close, if they present a risk to you, or those close to you, you could fire them."

"That's true," Tsukune nodded.

"Also," Inari added. "You can also hire people you can trust to keep secrets in the first place. I mean, you know what I am, so you know I would want to protect you. Not just because its you, but also because you would make a place safe for me to work."

"I had thought about that," Tsukune said. "Human or youkai, I would try to find people that could work well together. People that, over time, could accept the idea of sharing the world we live in."

"Like you and I?" Inari said as she finished cleaning up from lunch. "We work well together, don't we?"

"Yes we do," Tsukune agreed.

"When you start your company," Inari said with conviction. "I expect you to let me know."

"Well if you're not doing anything better," Tsukune said to her. "I hope you will be willing to come work for me."

"If I'm not doing anything better," Inari agreed with a smile. Thinking to herself that noting could be better than working for, and closely with, Tsukune.

XxxxXxxxX

The two men were sitting on their favorite veranda once again. On the small table between them were their drinks. One had a young, nearly naked girl in his lap who was drawing lazy circles on his chest, too intoxicated to do anything else. He petted her body absentmindedly as he talked with his companion.

"You see," The first man said. "I told you I would be happy being assigned here. I have nice weather, pets to play with, and nobody trying to get in my way."

"You're right," The second man said. "I wish I could do as well as you."

"You will, some day," The first man said. "But for now, at least you are less stressed out as before."

"Yes," The second man agreed. "Now that somebody else is in charge for the moment, my neck is safe."

"And how is your new boss doing?" The first man asked.

"He thinks he has a chance of keeping his head," The second man snorted. "But he is already starting to sweat."

"But he was so confident before," The first man observed.

"Because he did not know what a mess he would be taking responsibility for," The second man explained. "You see, my branch is a modest one by design. I support some small businesses, which bring in plenty of money, on paper. I use them to launder money from some more questionable sources, for a percentage of course. But my boss, he is finding that some of the other branches are not doing so well. See, he was going to make a power play down in Southern Japan, and use that to climb up the organization's ladder. As soon as he started moving into place, I got a few of the other lieutenants to speak out for him, making him the boss right away. The idiot grabbed at the bait."

"And what has happened to him after that?" The first man asked.

"All the little problems that I had been trying to keep quiet became his problems," The second man smiled. "His support crumbled quick. Now he needs his power play to work, or not only will he not move up the way he wanted, his head will roll. Right now we are both under him, but in a few days... Well, I am sure you won't miss him much."

"You think he will fail?" The first man questioned.

"Of course he will," The second man scoffed. "My sources tell me the police are already on his trail. And then there is the stupidity of his plan in the first place. He is trying to strike into the opponent's territory. He is thinking in the terms of fighting fire with fire." The man made a rude noise. "He's trying to use fire to fight a fire extinguisher factory."

"You think there is a better way to do things?" The first man asked.

"Oh hell yes," The second man gave a crooked smile. "There is an up and coming lieutenant that is looking to expand his little territory. He's learned of a place that is going to be full of soft but important targets next month. A little foolishness on his part will touch off a fire storm of panic and fear. The worst thing that can happen is he will come out looking like a total fool. The worst thing that can happen to everybody else, is a pile of dead bodies, and a wave of paranoia and blind fear sweeping across Japan. The economy will be shattered. The government will be in chaos... Heh, you know how it goes from there."

"Sounds like you have it all planed out," The first man observed.

"Of course I don't," The second man argued. "I am just making wild guesses." He picked up his drink. "Besides, I am too drunk for anything I say to be taken seriously."

The pair shared a laugh, thinking of the violence the future was going to bring.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

It was another Monday at Youkai Academy. Tsukune did not want to get out of bed. After his shift at the koban, he had to burn the candle down to finish up his assignments. As much as he loved Kurumu, he was forced to admit that helping her to study when he was limited on time had cost him. Tsukune's thoughts were sluggish as he got ready for school that morning. As he stepped out the door, he tried to ignore the small pout that Kurumu kept giving him. Because of how late they had stayed up to finish their school work, Tsukune had declined her advances. He had also refused to give her, as she called it, 'breakfast in bed,' that morning.

Moka, who had also been left unsatisfied over the weekend, had been quick to greet Tsukune that morning. Tsukune exchanged a warm hug and kiss with her, and didn't react to her close inspection. Having been left unsatisfied, she was making sure he had not been satisfying anybody else. Seeing Kurumu's pout made Moka want to smirk just a little. Mizore had a smirk of her own. She could read the frustration of the other two women like the pages of a manga. The snow maiden was always frustrated by the lack of satisfaction from Tsukune, so it was good to see the others sharing a littler of her torment.

Yukari was her usual bubbly self as she joined the others. She came bouncing out of her house with her school bag and a slight blush in her cheeks. Behind her, watching her from the almost closed door, was her housemate. With everybody else more focused on Tsukune, when Yukari looked back, she was the only one to see her housemate blow her a kiss. Feeling a little awkward, Yukari pressed in to cling to Tsukune's arm. The little witch liked her housemate, and had to admit that, to a point the attentions the other girl gave her was kind of nice, but Kuna obviously like her housemate far more. Yukari wondered if all the times she had tried to press her attentions on Tsukune and Moka had made them feel the way Kuna effected her.

Kokoa was feeling a little put out as she walked to school with her sister, and the others. She could tell by the atmosphere that something had happened over the weekend, but knew that the others were not going to tell her on their own. Just because she could, she exchanged a polite greeting with Tsukune, before thumping him in the shoulder to get him to move a little bit way from Moka.

Inari thought she understood the tension around the members of the Newspaper Club. It was another Monday morning, and the future was looming closer. She and Tsukune had talked about plans for the future, and she suspected that such thoughts were haunting his companion. Inari refused to let what might someday be get her down. She was with her captain at the moment, and was working her way closer. What ever the future brought her, Inari intended to take it as is came, and continue her pursuit of Tsukune.

XxxX

Tsukune knew Monday had to be making up for lost time. He was still feeling muddy headed when a pop quiz came around. The morning just seemed to drag on. During lunch, Tsukune and his friends sat together as usual, enduring the normal visits to their table, but Tsukune couldn't shake the feeling that something was looming over them. It was after lunch that Monday struck out at him.

After lunch the third years gathered together for another round of human world exercises. Once at gymnasium. They saw that a set of screens had been set up across the main floor, dividing the area in to two sections. Each sections had rows of tables set up The boys were separated from the girls at the beginning, which Tsukune took as a bad sign. The boys were marched off and given a class on parenting. Tsukune thought he could see some sense in the class. There were some things you just did not do with a human child that some youkai might do with their own offspring. Kappa, for example, would be inclined to let their young children splash about naked in a pond. A crash course on diaper changing, not offering a baby raw meat, and other basic things could never hurt. Tsukune didn't know why the boys and girls had to be separated for the class, but suspected it was to keep some of the more... patriarchal thinkers in the group from trying to push his practice doll off to a female.

After a lecture on the basics, everybody was given a chance to practice. The provided plastic dolls were life sized for an average human baby and very durable. Ririko Sensei moved among the boys, delighting in her ability to distract most of them with just her presence, or in a few cases, a flash of her cleavage as she leaned forward into their field of view. She didn't bother with trying to tease Tsukune. She had given up on him a long time ago.

Finally the structured class was over. The boys turned in their plastic dolls, cloth diapers, and other little props for the class. Voices started to build in idle chatter as the students looked forward to getting on with their day. Before the group was let out, Ririko Sensei started calling out names, of which Tsukune was one. The rest of the boys were dismissed to wait for the females out side, while the ones that were called out were lead off to a side area. Of the boys that had been called out, several smirked at Tsukune. He recognized enough of them to understand their mirth. While Tsukune was popular over all, there were still plenty of boys that were less than happy with the way some of the most beautiful girls in school shown no interest in anybody but him.

"Mr Aono," Ririko Sensai said as the group came together around her and a large box. "Please wait over there," She directed a place beside the box. "The rest of you are going to get some special instructions for this exercise."

Tsukune shuddered at the though of what kind of special instruction Ririko Sensei had in mind. The rest of the boys looked excited. While non of them new the truth about her special remedial math classes, they had heard plenty of juicy rumors.

"The young women were given a choice," Ririko Sensei explained. "While they were receiving a similar lecture, they were given a form to fill out. On that form, they were given a chance to choose a partner for this exercise. Partners are not mandatory however. Some of the young women have decided to forgo choosing a partner. As such, you boys will be doing this week's exercise on your own." She reached into the box and pulled out a bundle. As she opened the bundle, she continued talking.

"There is an unfortunate likelihood that some of you will become parents some day," Ririko Sensei said. "So it is important that you are given a chance to practice this week's exercise. Although I am confident that you will all manage to make stupid mistakes. So each of you will be getting one of these bundles." She held out the open bundle in her hands for their inspection.

In the bundle was a doll and other things for the exercise. With the doll was a small stack of diapers, a bottle, a spare blanket, and a workbook. The doll was much more lifelike in appearance than the plastic dolls the boys had been practicing with just a little while ago. Each doll also had a collar set with milky blue stones. Tsukune could detect something unusual about the stones, and suspected that they were some way to make sure the students would not get away with cheating.

"You boys are going to be acting out the role of single parents," Ririko Sensei explained. "You will be responsible for taking care of your doll for one week. You must do your best to take care of your doll as if it was a real baby. Inside the workbook is a set of instructions and a schedule. Follow them, and keep an accurate record of what you do to take care of your doll." She wrapped up the bundle in her hands and thrust it out to the closest boy. "This exercise counts towards your final grade."

Tsukune helped the teacher hand out bundles to the other male students. It was easy to tell from their expressions that they were not happy, and easy for Tsukune to understand why. For them, the fact that the exercise would impact their final grade was of minor concern. They were upset about being stuck playing with a doll for a week. Even more than that, they were frustrated because of all the females in the third year classes, not a single girl had been interested in working with them. It was a double blow to their egos. One the scowling group of boys were dismissed, Ririko Sensei turned her attention to Tsukune, who found himself tensing.

"You Mr. Aono," Ririko Sensei said with a droll. "Have a different problem to worry about. You will have to contend with the consequences of your popularity. I hope you learn well from this exercise, because otherwise, it will likely be an indication of how your life will be in the future." She made a dismissive gesture. "Don't complain to me when you fail. Remember that each doll represents up to ten percent of your final grade." She turned away from him. "Now get going. Your partners are waiting for you."

Tsukune knew that the teacher was trying to rattle him, and was succeeding. Anything that threatened his chance of graduating with good grades bothered his peace of mind. The way Ririko Sensei had been talking, it sounded like most students had trouble with the exercise. As he thought about his closest friends, Tsukune realized that he was going to be in for a long week. He was sure Monday was having a good laugh at his expense as he stepped out side the gym, and into an atmosphere charged with emotions.

Tsukune knew trouble when he saw it. When he stepped out side, his closest friends immediately turned their attention on him. Tsukune took in the details of the scene quickly. Moka was cradling a baby doll that was swaddled in a pink blanket. So was Kurumu. Mizore was holding one in a blue blanket. All of them gave Tsukune icy stares. A little apart from them stood Inari and three other girls that Tsukune could not put a name too. Up to seventy percent of his final grade was in front of Tsukune, and it looked like it would only be a mater of time before somebody started thinning it out.

"Tsukune," Moka said in a chilly voice as she approached him, with Kurumu, and Mizore close behind her. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"It's not my fault," Tsukune said in a rush. "Ririko Sensei didn't tell me anything about... about..." He made a gesture that took in the assembled young women. "She told me that you girls were allowed to pick your partners for the exercise, but that you didn't have to have a partner if you didn't want one. There are a bunch of guys that don't have a partner, so they were given their own dolls. I didn't know if anybody had picked me, or even given a chance to argue."

"What do you plan to do about this?" Moka questioned him.

"What would have me do?" Tsukune asked.

He stepped up to Moka and carefully lifted the doll from her arms. He cradled the doll gently in his left arm and looked Moka in the face. He didn't flinch, but stood tall, facing her.

"Moka," Tsukune said. "I have made no secret about wanting to have a life with you. I hope to someday that you and I will have our own family together."

Moka had been frustrated with the exercise from the beginning. When she had to fill out a paper that listed her chosen partner for the exercise, she had put down Tsukune's name without hesitation. She realized almost right away that Kurumu and the others were going to do the same thing. When it turned out that more girls than she knew had put down Tsukune as their partner, Moka felt her anger starting to build. She, Kurumu, and Mizore, had actually stared down and driven off four girls that had hoped to wait for Tsukune. They had been turning their attention to the others when Tsukune had appeared.

Now Tsukune was cradling the baby doll Moka had picked out. He was standing there in front of her, in front of everybody, and declaring his wish to have a family with her. Moka felt her anger melting away. She gave him a gentle smile.

"Tsukune," Moka said. "We will have to work together if we want a good grade."

"Yes," Tsukune nodded.

"Hey," Kurumu protested as she pushed in close. "You're going to be helping me too," Kurumu insisted. "Isn't that Right Tsukune. You're not just going to leave me and our baby to struggle on by ourselves are you?"

"Tsukune," Mizore said, moving in closer. "I will take care of everything, but I hope that you will visit with us some time."

Tsukue suppressed a smirk. He knew he could not refuse Kurumu. They were lovers after all. The likelihood of them someday having a baby was very real. Mizore had always said that she wanted to raise Tsukune's babies. While he could have some problems, he thought he saw how it could all work out with the three women that were closest to him.

"Tsukune, why don't you do something about them," She gestured to the other young women that were still hanging around. "While we discuss our options," She lifted the baby from Tsukune's cradling arm. "We'll see you back at the village later."

"Yes, Moka," Tsukune said with a small bow and a smile.

While Moka, Mizore, and Kurumu went aside to talk with Yukari, Tsukune turned his attention to the other young women. Inari moved apart from the other three, approaching Tsukune carefully. Tsukune gave the three girls he didn't know the names of a hard look. He didn't say anything to them, but tried to project his feeling of disapproval. The trio, for whatever reason, were gambling with his grade. They were trying to take advantage of him, or perhaps just looking for an opportunity. It didn't really mater what their reasoning was. Tsukune didn't know them, and they had tried to partner up with him without even asking. The trio of young women turned red under Tsukune's gaze. First one turned away and started to walk off, then the other two turned away as well.

With the others gone, Tsukune turned his attention to Inari. His lieutenant was standing just out of arms reach with an embarrassed smile on her face. Because he knew Inari, and even liked her, Tsukune was willing to give her a a chance to be heard.

"Captain..." Inari started to say. She gave her had a small shake before starting again. She had to do this right. "Tsukune," Inari said in a soft voice. "I am sorry if I've upset you. I didn't think that when I put your name down as my preferred partner that you would not get a say in the mater. If you give me a chance, I will make it up to you."

"Oh?" Tsukune questioned.

"If you need my help with any of the others," Inari volunteered. "I will. I just couldn't think of anybody else I wanted to be partnered with. You are always so dependable. I will help you with the others however I can. I just want to be able to ask you if I need any help."

"Inari," Tsukune said, trying not to sigh. "You know me well enough that I don't mind helping out. As far as Moka and the rest, you are going to have to work it out with them." He stepped close and put his hand on Inari's shoulder.

"Inari," Tsukune said in a low voice. "If I had been given a choice in this, I would have picked Moka to be my partner. Kurumu would have been a close second choice. They know this. They know I would not want to hurt them by refusing to help them, and most definitely not by picking somebody before them. However, I know I still owe you a favor. If you want me to pay you back by being your partner for this, I'll try to get Moka and the others to understand."

"Tsukune..." Inari couldn't help was gaze into his eyes. "I... No," She gave herself a little shake. "No, this is not how I am going to collect on that favor you owe me. If you can't help me because you're already helping someone else, I'll understand." She shifted the doll she was holding to free up a hand. She put her hand on top of Tsukune's. "But I still want you to know that you can come to me for help if you want." She gave his hand a little squeeze as she separated from Tsukune. "I'll see you later."

"See you," Tsukune nodded.