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 161

Tsukune's unhappiness with the doll exercise was no less the next morning. After supper, he had gotten a look at the workbook that went with one of the dolls. The schedule for taking care of the doll was round the clock, with something to be done every two to three hours. A quick comparison showed that the dolls did not all have the same schedule. In fact, there was a different page with a different schedule for each of the planned seven days of the exercise. By it self, taking care of one of the dolls would be time consuming, and would be in conflict with any student's normal life and activities.

Tsukune, wanting to make sure he would get a good grade, quickly came up with a plan. It took him over an hour, but he compared the schedules of Moka's, Kurumu's, and Mizore's baby dolls and consolidated them for his own reference. He then programed them in to the overly complicated smart phone Kurumu had given him. This started off a plan within his group. Kurumu copied the schedule in to her own smart phone, and then went one step further. She took her number two phone, (the one meant to be used for casual but still work related things, like for a director or other on the job site person to be able to contact her if she was on break or otherwise out of sight at any given moment,) and programed it with the schedule for just her own doll. She then tucked the phone in to her baby doll's swaddling. The alarm would now go off every time she was supposed to do something with the baby doll.

Moka saw the wisdom of Kurumu's plan. She excused herself and quickly fetched her own cell phone and charger. It was the prepaid phone that Tsukune had given her, she had not used it since their summer trip. Once it had a charge, Tsukune helped Moka program it. It was not a sophisticated phone, but with some effort they got enough into it for it to keep a day's schedule for the doll.

Mizore was suddenly left out. She did not have a cell phone of any kind. Tsukune saw the dilemma she was in and decided on a course of action. He retrieved his old cell phone.

"Mizore," Tsukune said as he returned to where his girlfriends were gathered in the improvised nursery. "Let me loan this to you for the exercise." He was vary careful to make sure Mizore understood that the phone was not a gift. He had stored information in the phone and wanted to keep it as a back-up in case anything happened to the overly complected phone Kurumu had given him.

"Thank you," Mizore said.

In a short time, all three of the baby dolls had digital assistance set up. Tsukune hoped that it would help himself and his friends get a good good marks on the exercise, and not just cause trouble. Before he had a chance to imagine what kind of troubles could arise, his cell phone and Moka's baby doll started to beep. The friends shared smiles that were a mix of frustration and relief over the electronic reminders while Moka 'fed' her baby and recorded it in the workbook.

Tsukune and his partners had a plan in place to help them. With that giving them a little peace of mind, they were able to finish their other tasks and retire for the night. Each of his girlfriends took their baby doll with them, insisting that they did not want to trouble Tsukune. In the morning, all of them were showing the signs of having lost sleep. Tsukune's smart phone had gone off over and over again, because it was programed with three different schedules. While his alarm went off more often, he didn't actually have to get out of bed to do anything. In the spirit of teamwork, he volunteered to carry their bags, because they were carrying the baby dolls after all.

Yukari looked a little embarrassed when the others noticed that she wasn't carrying a doll like they were.

"Well I wouldn't expect her to have to worry about taking care of a baby anyway," Kurumu teased. "She has a few more years before her body will be ready to even try."

"I'm surprised they even trusted you with a doll," Yukari countered. "If you're going to be taking care of a baby it will probably still starve to death because you'll forget to feed it."

"Oh no," Kurumu shook her head with a smile. She pulled up her sweater vest with one hand, but not her blouse, and held the doll as if breast feeding it. "There is no way I'll let Tsukune or our baby go hungry."

"So why don't you have a doll, Yukari?" Tsukune said. He didn't want the conversation to get too colorful so he spoke up, redirecting the conversation.

"Kuna, my housemate," Yukari said with a hint of a blush to her cheeks. "She came up with an idea. We listed each other as partners, so we are sharing one doll between us."

"That sounds like a good plan," Tsukune nodded, grateful that there was one less doll with his name on it to worry about.

After that, the group settled into a discussion about taking care of the baby dolls as they walked to school. Kurumu passed her doll to Yukari so she could fix her sweater. When she took the baby back, Kurumu made sure the swaddling was still in place. Tsukune watched her, a little amused. Moka and Kurumu both noticed. Moka gave Tsukune a hard nudge, while Kurumu felt herself blushing.

When Inari met up with them on the way to school, she looked just as tired as the rest of them. She greeted them all politely and tried to fall in to place with the rest of the group casually. She almost tripped over her feet when Tsukune deliberately moved towards her.

"Let me help you with your bag," Tsukune offered.

"No I... I..." Inari tried to refuse.

"Tsukune..." Moka protested in a low voice.

"Inari," Tsukune said in a calm voice, carefully not looking towards Moka. "You asked me to help you if it wouldn't be a burden. At least I can do this much, as far as the school entrance, I can help carry your bag."

"Um.." Inari blushed softly. "Thank you."

"It was something my mother taught me," Tsukune said, just talking aloud. "Everybody has a mother, so we should always be nice to them." He chuckled. "At least that was what she would tell me and my friends whenever she made us run errands or carry things for her and her friends."

XxxX

Tsukune noticed a change in his classmates when as he settled into his seat. First was how almost every female was holding a doll. The second thing was how the dolls were the focus of the girls' conversations much of the time. In a few cases, such as his own, boys were drawn in to the conversations as well. While he got dark looks from a few of the boys holding dolls, he saw that some of the other 'single fathers' were enjoying their sudden connection with the surrounding females. A few of the dolls already had some custom accessories, such as colorful blankets or costumes. While Nekonome Sensei was taking roll, Mizore's baby started to chirp. The sound of a cell phone alarm was so out of place, that the entire class had been caught by surprise. Tsukune felt his own pocket vibrating, so he knew that it was time for one of the doll's scheduled events.

Tsukune decided to rescue Mizore. The entire class was looking towards her and her chirping baby, making her uncomfortable. A quick look at his smart phone told Tsukune that it was time for a diaper change. Seeing how Mizore was still fumbling with her doll in her nervousness about being the center of attention, Tsukune went into action.

"I'll take care of it," Tsukune said as he stood.

Mizore turned to look at him with grateful relief in her eyes. Tsukune took the doll and cradled it in his arm as he carried it from the room. Once in the hall, he quickly reset the chirping alarm. Out of curiosity and wanting to do a good job, Tsukune took the doll to the restroom. He put it on the counter and unwrapped it, removing everything from it that didn't look attached. After a careful inspection of the doll, he wrapped it up again, thankful that his weird school had not somehow given out dolls that could soil themselves.

Tsukune tried to be as quiet and non-disruptive as he could when he returned to the classroom. He returned the doll to Mizore and resumed his seat without saying a word, but the damage had already been done. Aono Tsukune, the dependable guardian of the school, head of the Student Police, and Alpha Male of his class, had been caught in the act of being a thoughtful and responsible father figure. For the rest of the day, Tsukune tried to ignore the quiet giggles around him.

Lunchtime was spent at the usual table, with the baby dolls. Tsukune took turns watching the dolls so his friends could have a little while to relax. In a way he had a real advantage over other doll parents. The dolls under his care were equipped to make a sound when it was time for then to receive some attention. More than a few times, Tsukune heard somebody give voice in colorful language when they realized they were late in doing something for their doll. Tsukune carefully checked to make sure the placed phones were all well charged.

While taking care of the dolls, Tsukune noticed that he was being carefully watched. He had started to tense up under the critical eyes of his, until he realized it wasn't just his friends that that were watching him, and it wasn't just him being watched. While the second and first years appeared oblivious to what was going on with the third year students, the third year girls were acutely aware of what the third year boys were doing. Or in some cases, not doing. Tsukune tried to be discreet as he watched the watchers. As he watched, he went from puzzled, to curious, to entertained as he understood what he was going on. If a boy was anywhere close to one of the dolls, the girls watched and weighed him. Yelling, calling out to a friend or for any other reason, when close to a baby doll would earn the boy a frown, although he likely never noticed. If he slowed down when walking past one of the swaddled dolls, he was likely to earn some small sign of approval. Where a group of girls, with their babies sat together, any time they saw a clear display of good or bad behavior by a boy, the girls would share comments back and forth.

Tsukune felt like he had grown up a little over the lunch break. He had gained, in part at least, a strange understanding of his female classmates. The way they watched the guys around them was very different from the way guys looked at girls. The girls were not just watching for good looks or physical ability, but also if they would be a good partner in things. If a guy showed good traits for looking after a child, for example, the young women seemed to look at him more seriously. While boys were interested in the present when 'girl watching,' the girls were thinking about the future.

As he returned to class, Tsukune realized that his new perspective was going to stick with him. By the end of the day, he was questioning what the girls around him thought about the way he tried to help Moka and the others. At one point, while he was 'feeding' Moka's baby while she was in the restroom, Tsukune wondered if he was being seen as supportive or submissive. The smile Moka gave him when she returned, seeing him holding 'their baby,' made Tsukune really not care about what others might think of him right then. But he couldn't stop himself from wondering what Moka thought about what he had done. Tsukune knew he wasn't going to get an answer, but that didn't haunt him. Some things, he felt, it would be safer not to know.

XxX

Wednesday morning was more of the same. Tsukune tried to be sympathetic to his girlfriends, so he had refused to turn off his alarms. The signs of lost sleep were showing a little more the second morning of the exercise. This time Yukari had her doll as well. She looked better rested than the others, and a little out off by the hassle of it all. Tsukune carried their bags once more in his attempt to be supportive. Inari surrendered her bag after a single gesture from him. As Tsukune adjusted his load, he caught a stab of jealousy and anger from his connection with Kurumu.

In the classroom, Tuesday's trends were continuing. Tsukune observed that nearly every doll had some kind of bonnet or bow. The sturdy but plane blankets the dolls had come wrapped in had nearly all been replaced by something more colorful. Additionally, kitchen timers seemed to have become a new accessory for many of the dolls as well. Beeps, chips, and bells went off during class all day. While Tsukune was more than willing to help his friends, and did whenever he had an opportunity, he felt that he could have it a lot tougher.

XxX

"Tsukune sempai," One of his classmates said while he was gathering up his things at the end of the day. "Do you have a moment?"

Tsukune knew the classmate that was talking to him. Ryu was a little bigger that Tsukune, and while he only had average scores in class, he did well in P.E. and was a member of the Judo Club. He was also one of the 'single fathers' had a history of scowling at Tsukune and his luck with the females. That he was talking in such a polite way made Tsukune suspicious.

"I'll get your bags," Tsukune said to his friends who were looking his way. He turned his attention to Ryu.

"What's going on Ryu?" Tsukune asked in a calm voice.

"Well," Ryu said with some nervousness. "I know you are good at some things..." He glanced around. "I mean like schedules and planning and stuff." He looked back to where his school bad and baby doll waited at his desk. "And... Well..." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I come from a big family. This baby thing is nothing for me, but something's come up..."

"It can be hard to manage things sometimes," Tsukune said in a voice only a little softer than normal. He recognized somebody that was afraid of embarrassing himself. "You just have to set priorities."

"It's not the schedule for taking care of the baby I'm worried about," Ryu went on. "This is something else." He looked around the room to make sure nobody was trying to listen in. "It's about Yuuka-san."

"Ahhhh," Tsukune nodded slowly. He thought he saw where things were going. Yuuka was a girl in their class that sat close to Ryu, with short white hair and matching eyes, with a tall, lean body. The girl liked to dress in layers all year round to hide her very slim figure, or so the image savvy Kurumu had taught Tsukune during one of their many friendly but pointless conversations.

"So you get it," Ryu said with a small, relieved smile.

"Ryu," Tsukune said in a low voice. "I'm not good at giving advice about girls."

"But..." A touch of panic flickered across Ryu's face.

"Go ahead," Tsukune prompted, not wanting a debate.

"Yesterday I spent most of lunch helping her with her doll," Ryu explained. "See, she has a plan for after graduation, so she really wasn't paying attention Monday. After lunch, and all day today, I helped watch her doll so she could... You know. Like you were doing for your girlfriends today."

"Yeah," Tsukune nodded.

"Well, just before she left," Ryu said. "She asked me what I would like for lunch tomorrow."

"I see," Tsukune said with a straight face. "What did you tell her."

"I said that anything's fine with me," Ryu nearly whimpered.

"I hope she's a good cook," Tsukune said with a small smile.

"But..." Ryu's eyes were wide with nervous emotions.

"Ryu," Tsukune said firmly. "What is your idea of what a man should be?"

"Strong," Ryu answered, without hesitation. "Has to, you know, be a man. He has to be able to protect what's his, and take care of his family."

"See. Just stick with that," Tsukune said.

"But..." Ryu complained.

"You helped Yuuka-san with her doll," Tsukune cut him off. "And you're taking care of your own too. Right?"

"Well... Yeah," Ryu nodded.

"So you're taking care of, or acting like you're taking care of your family," Tsukune explained. "That is the way of 'being a man' that some girls like to see. And you are helping her as well."

"We're classmates," Ryu said as if that explained everything.

"Yes you are," Tsukune agreed.

"But what do I do?" Ryu asked.

"Ryu, my best friend, and the person most important to me are the same thing," Tsukune answered him. "Moka and I started out as friends in out first year, and as classmates. Relax. Be yourself, and be a good friend. And if you have a tender stomach, keep some antacid in your bag."

XxxXxxX

Thursday Morning Tsukune was fighting the temptation to turn off his alarms at night. He was wondering if the exercise had a secret objective. On the surface the baby dolls were giving the students a chance to learn about how to take care of a baby, at least in a way that would fit in among humans. He saw how his friends were showing the lack of sleep. Hair was our of place. Makeup was reducing towards the minimalist approach, and that was mostly to hide dark circles around the eyes from lack of sleep. Tsukune wondered if the exercise also had the goal of discouraging the students from wanting to have a real baby any time soon.

Tsukune also noticed that tempers were starting to flare. His friends talked using polite words, but there faces carried different messages. As he collected everybody's school bags, his closest friends were giving him some unfriendly looks. When Inari met up with them, Tsukune thought for a moment that Kurumu was going to attack her. At school, girls were starting to growl at each other over small things. He realized that things could get out of hand quickly.

When lunch time rolled around, Tsukune left the classroom, looking forward to some fresh air and some time with his girlfriends. On his way out, he saw Yuuka talking with Ryu, with an obento in her hand. Tsukune tried not to smile as Ryu shot him a nervous look. By the time he reached the usual table, the smile had slipped out as a smirk.

"Tsukune," Moka gave him a questioning look. "What is it?"

"Nothing important," Tsukune said as he sat down beside her.

"Are you sure?" Moka pressed.

"Leave him alone Moka," Kurumu snapped.

"You stay out of it," Moka snapped back.

"Make me," Kurumu challenged.

"You..." Moka growled as she stood up,

Tsukune reached out and caught Moka around the waist. Before she could protest, he pulled her down into his lap. They teetered for a moment, but that was all.

"Tsukune," Moka protested. "Let go of me."

"No," Tsukune said. "It's lunch time. Not fighting time."

"I'm not hungry," Moka said, trying to stand up.

"Fine," Tsukune said, not letting her up. "But you still need to keep you strength up." He grinned. "For the baby's sake."

"What?" Moka gave Tsukune confused look, ignoring Kurumu.

"Moka," Tsukune said. "I can tell you're tired. I want you to take care of yourself."

"What are you talking about?" Moka insisted.

"Moka, I love you," Tsukune cocked his head to the side. "And I know you have to be hungry... Or thirsty."

"Tsukune..." Moka said as his words reached her. "I..."

"Moka..." Tsukune smiled.

"Tsukune..." Moka leaned in closer.

Tsukune slipped a hand up behind Moka's head and caressed her. It had been a while since Moka had been granted a chance to take some of Tsukune's blood. The last time had been just a taster, a sip she had taken that had been more about the intimacy of sharing instead of the desire to feed her inhuman nature. Tsukune's youki rose up even as Moka's lips touched the side of his neck.

"Tsukune..." Kurumu protested. It was always frustrating to see the man she loved being used by Moka as a drink box. When Tsukune encouraged her, it gave Kurumu pains of jealousy. The fact that he was doing it out of love was the only thing that made it forgivable.

Kurumu had to admit that this time it bothered her more than usual to watch Moka taking Tsukune's blood. She could tell that the vampire enjoyed what she was doing, and not just in the way a person enjoyed a good meal. What really irritated Kurumu was the way Tsukune actually looked happy as he gave his blood to Moka, while she was holding that baby doll.

"Tsukuneeeee..." Kurumu protested again, louder this time.

"Mmmmmmm," Moka purred into the crook of Tsukune's neck. Finished with her drink of his power-filled blood, her body felt good. The fatigue she had been feeling was gone, in its place was a sense of warmth and renewed energy. "I love you too, Tsukune."

Reluctantly, Moka eased herself from Tsukune's lap. She knew he still had to eat lunch, and she had been indiscreet enough for one day. As she settled into place beside him, she gave him a loving smile.

"Moka," Tsukune said. "After school, please let me watch after your baby doll for a few hours."

"What?" Moka blinked. "Why?"

"Tsu ku ne..." Kurumu growled, feeling ignored.

"So you can have a short break," Tsukune said. "I will look after it for a few hours, and then bring it back to your house."

"Oh..." Moka had to think about that for a moment. Tsukune wasn't inviting her to spend time with him, but to give her some time to her self. "Yes," She nodded. "I would like that. Thank you, Tsukune."

"And after that," Tsukune said, swinging his attention to Kurumu, who was almost ready to burst. "Kurumu, I would like to help you out as well."

"What?" Kurumu scowled.

"After supper," Tsukune said. "Let me do something to help you out. I know this week is not being easy on you."

"Alright," Kurumu said, still frowning a little.

"I will come for you after I see Moka," Tsukune said. "We should only have a little studying left to do by then."

"Hmmm," Kurumu considered for a moment. "Alright, Tsukune." Kurumu brightened. "I will be waiting for you."

Tsukune gave her a nod and a warm smile before finally getting down to the business of lunch.

XxxxXxxxX

Moka felt renewed. Tsukune's blood had been just what she needed at lunch time. After school, as soon as she returned to her house in the village, Moka set to the task of pampering herself. She started with a good scrubbing. She clean herself top to bottom, making sure to take care of her hair and skin thoroughly. After cleaning and scrubbing herself, it had been time for a good long soak in the bath. Once she was dry, Moka indulged by using her favorite lotion all over her smooth body. She even went so far as to apply a light layer of makeup and a touch of perfume. While she was getting dressed, Moka looked through her intimate things with a smile. The next time she and Tsukune had a weekend free, Moka decided, she was going to monopolize him and see what kind of things she could do to stir his blood.

When Tsukune arrived to return the doll, Moka greeted him with a smile and a kiss. She was aware that he was looking a little tired, but he had that special smile on his face that made her heart flutter. If they didn't have school in the morning, and that doll to take care of, Moka would have seduced him right then. As it was she settled for a long hug and a hot kiss.

XxxXxxX

Kurumu was waiting and more than ready by the time Tsukune knocked at her door. She had her school supplies and the doll's accessories ready to go. When Tsukune arrived, she met him at the door, trying to smile and look happy, while holding the doll and dealing with her own frustrations. She didn't know what Tsukune's plans were, but she knew what she wanted. She wanted some time with him, not just for the pleasure of his company, but because she wanted to talk to him. She tried to plan out what she had to say to him as she opened the door.

"Tsukune," Kurumu said. "I'm glad you came."

"Kurumu," Tsukune said, reaching out to embrace her. "I'm sorry if I haven't been as supportive as I should be. I hope that you are willing to spend some time with me tonight."

"Tsukune..." Kurumu hugged him back. The feel of him made her tensions ease, at least a little.

"Look," Tsukune said. "I know you're tired. If you want, I will just take the doll for a few hours to give you a chance to rest."

"I... er.." Kurumu needed a moment to run through what Tsukune had said. "Yes," Kurumu said at last. "I would like to go with you. Let me get the baby."

A few minutes later, Kurumu and Tsukune left her house. She carried the doll, while he carried the bags. Kurumu still intended to have words with Tsukune, but she felt a little better since he wanted to spend time with her.

"How are you doing with your school work?" Tsukune asked as they walked to the manor.

"Alright I guess," Kurumu said. "The math is still hard sometimes, but the rest doesn't bother me."

"That's good," Tsukune nodded. "You know I'd like to help you if I can."

"I know," Kurumu said with a sigh.

"What is it, Kurumu?" Tsukune asked, aware of her feelings.

"I don't like how busy you are with everybody except me," Kurumu huffed as the entered the manor.

"I wish I had more time to spend with you," Tsukune said, giving her a sad look.

"Do you really?" Kurumu questioned.

"Of course I do," Tsukune said firmly. He reached out and took her hand. "Come with me."

Kurumu gave Tsukune a doubting look, but held his hand and went with him. He lead her through the house up to the master bedroom. Once there, he stopped long enough to set down her bags and then to take the bundle that was the doll from her arms. Tsukune carried the doll to the side of the room and set it down.

"Tsukune," Kurumu questioned. "Where did you get a crib?"

"Ahhh," Tsukune blushed. "It came with the house."

"It did?" Kurumu blinked.

"Yeah," Tsukune nodded. "I put it in the attic when I first moved in. I mean, we're still in school. Living in this house is a bit much for a student to begin with. I thought having a nursery set up was in poor taste."

"Oh," Kurumu couldn't argue with his thinking.

"I pulled it down earlier," Tsukune went on. "Because I thought it would be useful. Especially tonight."

"Why especially tonight?" Kurumu asked suspeiciously.

"Kurumu," Tsukune said, approaching her with his hands extended to her. "I love you, but I know I am not a very good boyfriend."

"Tsukune..." Kurumu glowered. She didn't like it when he put himself down, but at the same time, she didn't want to argue. She had been feeling neglected and even ignored more than once.

"Remember," Tsukune said as he embraced her. "I feel some of everything you feel. This includes when you are upset at me for talking to somebody else."

"Tsukune, I don'..." Kurumu tried to protest.

"Inari," Tsukune said, getting a spike of jealousy from Kurumu in response.

"Oh," Kurumu looked away for a moment.

"Kurumu," Tsukune drew her attention back to him. "I love you. You are one of the most important people in my life. Inari is a friend and a coworker. I like her as a friend, and we work well together. That's all."

"Really?" Kurumu questioned.

"Really," Tsukune leaned in to give her a little kiss on the nose.

"Well..." Kurumu drawled.

"Kurumu," Tsukune asked gently. "Are you going to be jealous of every woman I ever work with?"

"Yes," Kurumu huffed.

Tsukune threw his head back and gave a laught.

"What?" Kurumu demanded.

"I'm just happy," Tsukune said. "Becuase I love you, and I know I will always be sure of your love for me." He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips.

"Now," Tsukune said. "Before we get distracted. What do you need to get done for tomorrow?"

"Nothing," Kurumu said, lifting her head for another kiss.

"Good," Tsukune said after another kiss. "Becuase if you got a bad grade because I distracted you, I would be miserable." He sighed theatrically. "I would be so ashamed of myself, I doubt I would be able to even talk to you again for a long time."

"Damn it," Kurumu growled, her playful mood vanishing.

"Let's get our school work done," Tsukune said. "And then I will take care of you."

"Tsukunee..." Kurumu cheered, feeling her mood improving.

XxX

Ruby peeked in on Tsukune and Kurumu late in the evening. Tsukune had specifically told her to not help out with the dolls, because they were a school assignment, and he felt that he and his friends had a responsibility to do their own assignments the same as all the other students. While Ruby was willing to obey his wishes, she thought Tsukune was just being silly. The exercise was supposed to be about helping the students prepare for life after graduation, and Ruby knew full well that she would be staying with Tsukune for the rest of her life, so it was only normal that she help him with any children he had, no mater who the mother may be.

When she had peeked in on her master, Ruby saw him in nothing but a towel as he tended to the baby doll. It was clear from looking at him that he had been in the bath when the baby had 'cried.' She had to admit that using the cell phones in such a way was a clever idea. Ruby retreated before Tsukune caught her in the act of checking up on him.

XxX

Kurumu was feeling good, in more ways than one. Tsukune had, as always, been a passionate lover, satisfying her physical needs, both as a succubus and as a woman. After they had shared themselves with each other, twice, Kurumu had been ready to snuggle up with him and go to sleep. The electronic alarm of her doll going off spoiled that idea for the moment.

Tsukune had surprised Kurumu then by how quickly he had gone to the crib. She watched as Tsukune unwrapped the doll to check the workbook and note down his care of the 'baby.' Watching a naked Tsukune being busy at the side of the crib gave Kurumu a happy, warm feeling. He looked like such a natural father that she felt a renewed desire to build a family with him.