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 180

By morning word had spread that Tsukune was famous. Like all good gossip it had changed in the retelling, but the core was still correct. Tsukune had done a dance video for an arcade game with the Sweetheart Cook, and the two of them were in a relationship. During breakfast in the cafeteria, Tsukune was approached for an autograph. The number of people wanting to take a picture with him increased ridiculously. Just before lunch, Tsukune spotted girls holding obentos and plates of food watching him.

XxxxxxXxxxxX

Kurumu had been excited to receive Tsukune's email while she was picking at her lunch. She had suffered through her lonely weekend catching up with schoolwork, leaving her in a dark mood. Tsukune's email had been the pick-me-up that she had needed.

"I am missing you very much," Tsukune's message had said. "I am sorry I couldn't spend some time with you this weekend. I am surrounded by your fans. One of them likes to dance and recognized me. Now your fans are trying to offer me food to see how I compare their cooking to yours. I tell them that you are a better cook, because of all the love you put into what you are making."

Tsukune's message made Kurumu feel warm and fuzzy all over. She was tempted to go and visit Tsukune right away, but managed to hold back. What he was doing at the moment was every bit as important to him as her work was to her. This could be a good foundation moment for his career, or it could just be something good for the school. Ether way, Tsukune would want to do his best, and Kurumu knew that if she were to go and see him, it would just cause a distraction he didn't need at the moment. Her resolve to respect the work he was doing did not keep her from prancing about the house giggling.

XxxxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX

The Public Address system chimed and an announcement filled the air. The Masako Shoken Girls Academy Festival was now closed. Everybody was thanked for coming and participating, and wished a safe trip home.

The Student Police and the Festival Committee did a sweep to make sure all the guests were gone even as students and booth workers started cleaning up and tearing down. Tired faces replaced the happy smiles as young women carried sacks of trash and pushed brooms and mops. Even as they complained about the cleaning up, many were already talking about what they hoped to do for the festival next year.

Finally all of the booths were cleared out. The only people left on campus were faculty, students, and Tsukune's team of Student Police. It was time for the visiting students to pack up their things to leave as well. Once he had his own bag packed, Tsukune called for the bus to come and pick them up. Inari supervised the final packing while Tsukune went to have a final meeting with the headmistress.

XxxxxxxX

"You and your people did an excellent job this weekend," The Headmistress said. "In the future, I hope that I can call upon your services again."

"I will be graduating soon," Tsukune said. "But the Student Police will still be there. Matsumoto Akira will be in charge next year, and he has shown a good talent for leading others."

"And what are your plans for after graduation?" The woman asked.

"I am going to university and then to the National Police for a few years," Tsukune said. "I want to see if I can make my own security company successful."

"I wish you well," The headmistress said. "I will be sure to stay in touch in case we ever need your services here."

"Thank you," Tsukune said.

"Now I have something for you and your people," The headmistress reached into her desk. She pulled out a stack of red envelopes bound together by a rubber band. She also pulled out a larger envelope of off-white. "This is for you," She offered Tsukune the large envelope. "For your hard work and for the support you have given my students."

"Thank you," Tsukune accepted the envelope.

"And these are for your people," She handed him the bundle. "I know that they all worked hard this weekend and deserve recognition for their efforts."

"Thank you again," Tsukune said for lack of anything better. "I am sure they will be glad to know their efforts were appreciated."

"I wish you well in the future, Aono Tsukune," The headmistress said. "And that your return trip to your school is an uneventful one."

"I wish you a good evening," Tsukune said, glad to be dismissed at last.

XxxxxxxX

There was a bit of an impromptu party in front of the main school building while waiting for the bus to arrive. Rina was hanging on Kris' shoulder and teasing him. Yoshie was visiting with Usa and the twins. Small gifts were being given to the Student Police , and contact information was being traded back and forth. It wasn't as festive as the going away party that Aiko and the others had been thrown back at the Youkai Academy at the end of their visit, but the spirit was the same. Bright wishes for the future and for friendships.

When the bus arrived it was time to part ways. There were lots of hugs and a few tears, but smiles were shared all around. Tsukune had a pocket full of notes from young women, but so did everybody else. Kris looked like he was torn between relief at leaving and depressed at not being allowed to stay. Once the bus was on its way, and safely off the campus, Tsukune felt his shoulders relax a little. Inari was seated beside him, leaning against him a little with a smile.

"Are you glad to be headed back?" Inari asked Tsukune.

"Yes I am," Tsukune nodded with a grin.

"Me too," Inari rubbed her shoulder against him.

The bus was filled with idle chatter. Girls talked about fashions, food, and friends. The few boys talked about all the girls, and food, and friends. Tsukune listened with half an ear as he thought about what was ahead.

Xx

"Alright everybody," Tsukune called out as his team climbed off the bus, back under the barrier at last. "I have one more piece of business to take care of, so gather around."

Twenty relaxed if slightly tired faces looked at Tsukune as they gathered together, bags in hand. Tsukune knew they had to be looking forward to their own beds and rooms and fresh clothes, so he didn't want to keep them. He pulled out the bundle of red envelopes.

"You all did good work this weekend," Tsukune said. "The headmistres of the school wanted me to give you something in recognition of all that you did. When I call your name, come get your envelope. After that, you are dismissed. Rumi..."

The Student Police trickled away. Sometimes they would wait for a friend, other times they would go on ahead on their own. All of them wore a smile. Inside the envelopes was a token of appreciation they could appreciate. Twenty Five Thousand Yen was a nice sum for three days work. Tsukune suspected that the local merchants were going to be in for a nice little boost in business.

Inari was the last one remaining with Tsukune. The others had already left, and even the bus had pulled away. He gave her a warm smile and held out an envelope with her name on it.

"Lieutenant Sansai Inari," Tsukune said. "Thank you for all of your hard work."

"Thank you for asking me to come," Inari said as she accepted the envelope. "It really meant a lot that you asked me to be a part of your team."

"Inari," Tsukune said openly. "You have already more than proven your ability to me. I will always want you to be on my team."

"Really?" Inari said.

"Really," Tsukine nodded.

"Then you have a deal," Inari moved in close. "I will be on your team." She was chest to chest with Tsukune and looking up into his face with a smile on her own. "I want to stay with you, Tsukune."

"Inari," Tsukune said gently. "You and I will have to have a talk someday soon, but not right now."

"Awww," Inari pouted. "Why not?"

"Look up," Tsukune said as he stared waking backwards.

"Huh?" Inari looked up. Above her was the red sky of the barrier, made dark by the late hour. The red moon was nearly half full and low above the trees. A shape, a dark silhouette against the sky became clear as it came closer, wings flapping. "What?" Inari wondered as it started to dive towards Tsukune. "Watch out!" Inari cried.

She looked to where Tsukune was standing, turned towards the new arrival. He had his feet planted firmly and a smile on his face. Inari was given a moment to stand confused, and then Kurumu crashed into Tsukune, hugging him tightly as they spun around together.

Inari understood what was going on. She also understood why her talk with Tsukune was going to have to wait. The succubus was the first one to arrive, but Inari knew the others would be following soon enough.

"Tsukune," Inari called out, interrupting a rather wet kiss. "I will see you in the morning."

"Good night, Inari," Tsukune said. "And thank you for everything."

"Oh, and Captain," Inari called back one more time. "I don't feel obligated or anything."

Tsukune blinked in confusion until Kurumu recaptured his attention.

Inari retreated to the dorms It was too late to go shopping, and she had school in the morning. Besides, in the morning she would get to see Tsukune again. Thinking about the morning to come, Inari smiled.

XxxxxxXxxxxX

Tsukune walked back to the student Village with Kurumu riding on his back. She kissed and nibbled his ear as they went, telling him how much she had missed him and how much she loved him. Tsukune told her about her fans and how popular she was. He didn't bother going to Kurumu's house because he knew she wasn't ready to leave his side just yet. He went to the manor where he saw lights glowing in the windows.

"Ruby," Tsukune called out. "I'm home."

"Master," Ruby cheered as she hurried to him. "Welcome home." She hugged him as best as she could with Kurumu still clinging to his back.

Moka, Mizore, and Yukari appeared together behind Ruby. Kurumu resisted Mizore's and Yukari's attempted to dislodge her, but yielded to Moka. Tsukune hugged Yukari and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Mizore claimed a kiss for herself that made Tsukune feel warm all over. Moka shared a kiss with Tsukune that was long and deep. Tsukune decided that it was good to be back. Before excusing himself to go wash and change, Tsukune asked Ruby to fix him something to eat.

"Tsukune," Moka said as she followed him up stairs. "How was your trip?"

"It went well," Tsukune said. "But I am glad that it is over."

Seeing that she was unwilling to wait, Tsukune started giving Moka a report on how the weekend went. He concentrated on the most important things. When he told her about the attack she frowned, but cheered up when she heard how it had turned out, and that he had escaped injury. He told her about the foiled raid on his room the night before, and about the pocket full of notes he had collected.

After refreshing himself, Tsukune returned to the down stairs to eat. After a quick meal, Tsukune repeated his report to the others, with Yukari sitting on his lap. After he had delivered his summery, his friends started in with questions to draw out the details of the trip he had skipped over. As Tsukue shared the events and details of his trip and the festival, he took notice of the way his friends behaved.

Tsukune wondered if his close friends had come to some kind of understanding while he had been away. He knew that Kurumu and Moka had worked out some kind of understanding before he left, because they had stopped fighting so much over him. Yukari was much like her usual self, except calmer about trying to get attention from himself and Moka. Mizore's welcoming kiss had been bolder than normal for her, and every time Tsukune made eye contact with her she would smile and blush, but not look away as she would before.

Eventually all the questions had been asked and answered. The hour had gotten late and there was school in the morning. Tsukune announced his intention to go to bed. At first nobody moved. Tsukune stood up and wondered if he should offer guest rooms or to show somebody to the door.

Mizore stood up and crossed over to Tsukune while the others hesitated. She reached up to put her arms around his neck and drew him into a kiss. Tsukune allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feel of her mouth on his.

"Tsukune," Mizore said. "I will be in my room up stairs if you want me for anything."

"Alright," Tsukune said, a little puzzled. "Good night, Mizore."

"Good night," She left him with a smile and a wink.

"I guess I should get going," Kurumu was next to stand up. "I am sure you and Moka have some catching up to do." She gave Tsukune a hug and a kiss, lingering to rub her chest against his. "But I don't have any work this week, so you better take some time for me soon."

"I will," Tsukune promised. "Good night."

"Good night," Kurumu let go of him and looked over her shoulder. "Come on Yukari. It's time for little girls to go to bed."

"I am just as tall as you are," Yukari said as she stood up.

"Only until you lie down," Kurumu said as she cupped her own breasts in her hands.

"It's all about breasts with you," Yukari complained.

"No," Kurumu argued. "It's all about Tsukune. And having large breasts means I have more to feel him with."

Yukari gave Kurumu a sour look, unable to think of a comeback that didn't sound childish. She settled for pushing past the succubus to hug Tsukune good night. The pair of them left the house, resuming their bickering as they went.

"Moka?" Tsukune said to her once they were alone in the sitting room.

"I knew you would be returning today," Moka said as she stood up. "So we came over this afternoon with everything we would need for school in the morning."

"I see," Tsukune said, holding his arms open to her. "Is there anything you would like to do before going to bed?"

"I can think of a few things that I would like," Moka answered as they embraced. After a kiss she continued talking. "But we don't have to postpone going to bed to do them." She smiled impishly. "Turn around."

Tsukune gave her a questioning look but did as he was told. Moka promptly hopped up onto his back when he presented it to her. She kissed his cheek even as she wrapped her arms and legs around him.

"Take me up stairs," Moka instructed.

"Yes, Dame Moka," Tsukune obeyed.