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 181

With all that had been happening lately, Tsukune had almost forgotten about Valentine's Day. Even if he had forgotten, if he had forgotten the work he had put in on the dance scheduled for that evening, and that he was looking forward to dancing with Moka, he was reminded of the holiday first thing in the morning.

"Tsukune," Moka's voice whispered in his ear. "Time to wake up."

"Mmmmmmorning," Tsukune smiled as he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a sexy, naked, pink-haired, red-eyed Moka smiling at him.

"I am not waiting this year," Moka said. "I made sure I had this ready before I came over yesterday." She handed Tsukune a small box. "Happy Valentine's." She said.

"Thank you," Tsukune said, accepting the box and offering her a kiss.

In the box was a simple chocolate heart with the kanji for 'love' carved in it. Looking at it, Tsukune knew that Moka had made a special effort. The heart was a swirled blend of light and dark chocolate, with black flecks throughout. Moka lifted the heart from the box and fed it to Tsukune with a mischievous smile on her lips that made Tsukune suspicious.

"Do I want to know?" Tsukune asked after he had swallowed the last bite.

"Maybe," Moka said. "But I am not going to tell you."

XxxxxXxxxX

"Good morning," Kuna said to Yukari as the young witch made her way to their kitchen for breakfast. Kuna had an apron tied on over her uniform and was putting breakfast on the table for the two of them.

"Good morning, Kuna," Yukari replied with a small smile. She offered her housemate a small, oval box of chocolates. "Happy Valentine's day. Thank you for your support and help with everything." She gave the obligation chocolates to the other girl. The gesture earned her a big smile, a warm hug, and a quick kiss.

"Thank you so much," Kuna said after the kiss. "I'll be right back." She hurried from the kitchen. She was back in less than a minute, a little breathless from her rush. "I was going to give these to you later. Happy Valentine's Day, Yukari." Kuna handed her housemate a small heart-shaped box of chocolates.

"Thank you," Yukari said as she accepted the chocolates.

"I just wanted to tell you," Kuna said. "That I feel very luck to know you, and I think a lot of you. You are very special."

"Thank you," Yukari said again, because she couldn't think of anything better. She gave the other girl a hug.

As they ate breakfast together, as the did every day now, Yukari wondered about her relationship with her housemate. It was a question that Yukari revisited often. She knew that Kuna had feelings for her in a romantic way. Yukari wasn't sure how she felt about that. Kuna was four years, almost five years older than she was. That didn't bother her because that put Kuna in the same age as Tsukune and Moka, who Yukari had lusted after for the longest time. Yukari knew she liked Kuna, but she couldn't quite define in what way. They were friends, of that there was no doubt. But there was something else between them as well.

Yukari wondered if their was even a label for what she and Kuna had. What had started as an excited kiss over the Winter break had continued. Yukari didn't want to admit it to her friends on the Newspaper Club, but she and Kuna had kissed with increasing frequency. About once a week or so they bathed together, with a lot of extra touching as they helped each other wash. Yukari didn't have any romantic ideas about Kuna, she didn't think, but she had discovered that she liked spending time with her, and that the attention she received made her feel good.

Yukari finally decided, as she usually did, that it was a question she would have to answer at another time. With breakfast finished it was time to get ready for school. While she had decided to forgo any mischievousness, Yukari still had chocolates she wanted to give Tsukune.

XxxXxxXxxX

Tsukune got ready for his day, trying to keep a positive outlook. Mizore drew him aside on his way to breakfast and presented him with a small box of chocolate snowflakes. Tsukune thanked her with a kiss and a cuddle in the hallway. At breakfast, Ruby served a high protein meal, and gave Tsukune a pack of chocolate flavored stomach medicine. He thanked her with a smile and a pat on the bottom. While it was pleasant way to start the morning, it all reminded Tsukune of the coming trials of the day ahead of him.

Kurumu greeted Tsukune as he stepped out side to go to school. She had her sweater off and her blouse half unbuttoned. Resting on her cleavage was a chocolate bonbon. Tsukune knew that there was only one way he would be allowed to accept her offering, and that if he didn't play along, Kurumu would let it melt where it was and then complain to him all day about it. If he didn't have a long day ahead, Tsukune would have let it melt just for the fun he and Kurumu could have as he cleaned up the mess later. As it was, she squealed happily as Tsukune used his lips to pluck the piece of chocolate from it's resting place.

Yukari met Tsukune just three steps from the manor, where she handed him a batch of chocolate, heart shaped cookies. Tsukune thanked her, popped one into his mouth, and then quickly returned to the manor to drop off the rest. There was no reason for him to carry them around all day, letting them get crushed and broken, and he wasn't going to try to eat them all at once.

Once the group was assembled, they headed off to school. When Inari met them on the way to school, she walked up beside Tsukune with a smile that showed more than a touch of anxiousness. She held out a small heart-shaped box.

"Tsukune," Inari said as she tried to ignore the dark looks the others gave her. "Please accept this from me."

"Thank you," Tsukune said. As he accepted the box and their hands touched, Tsukune remembered her parting words from the night before, and understanding of what she meant dawned on him.

Kokoa joined up with the others soon after. While she had a smile for Moka, she only gave Tsukune a frustrated look. Of the Newspaper Club, she was the most accepting of Inari's presence each morning.

The morning progressed as Tsukune had known it would. Four different girls ran up to him on his way across the campus to offer him chocolate. Their faces were red and their voiced wavered as they addressed him.

"Aono Sempai, please..." Tsukune tried to refuse once, wish earned him a thump on the shoulder from Kurumu when the girl almost burst into tears. After that he was resigned to his fate.

His shoe locker was filled with offerings once again. Tsukune left them there rather than be burdened with them all day. Besides, he knew that there would be more later, and hoped the sight of a full locker would discourage some people from leaving more. Two more girls approached him on the way to class. Once in the classroom, Tsukune put the six gifts of chocolate he had accepted on his desk with the nine that were waiting for him.

"Aono-San," The girl Yuuka said as she approached his desk.

"Good morning," Tsukune greeted her.

"Good morning," Yuuka said. "I wanted to give you this," She held out a small bundle of pink wrapping paper. "Ryu said you helped him."

Tsukune cast a look over to where Ryu was sitting on his desk. He had a huge smile on his face and a box of chocolates in his hand. He saw Tsukune looking in his direction and gave a thumbs up.

"Congratulations," Tsukune said to Yuuka, accepting her small token. "I wish you both the best."

"Thank you," Yuuka said with a smile. She went back to her desk and shared a smile and a quick kiss with Ryu.

While Valentine's Day and all it's trimmings were the main topic of the day, Tsukune's trip to the human world, to a human school, was also a popular topic for gossip. While Tsukune did his best to hide his embarrassment over the girls that approached him, he was also approached by the captains for most of the athletic clubs.

"Congratulations," The captain of the track club said to Tsukune with a slap on the shoulder. "Maybe next year we'll get to compete."

The same sentiment was expressed over and over again. While it was important to keep the nature of the Youkai Academy a secret, the members of the athletic clubs wished that they could interact with other school, even if it was in informal matches that didn't count towards any leagues or awards. With the plan to include more humans in the next school year, Tsukune thought that more inter-school activities were likely.

The best news of the day, to Tsukune anyway, was the suspension of any 'Human World' exercises. Instead, everybody in the third year classes were given surveys and worksheets to complete. The paperwork was to help assess the student's understanding of the human world, and their plans for after graduation. With the exception of the paperwork, the afternoon was all self study. Tsukune decided to take advantage of the opportunity. Once he finished his paperwork and turned it in, he excused himself, invoking his Student Police authority to leave class early.

Instead of heading back to the village, Tsukune took care of his responsibilities. He reported in to the Board Chairman on how the weekend went. From there, Tsukune went to the school gym to see how things were going for the dance. The Dance Committee, it turned out, had also managed to escape classes early. Together they were able to finish getting decorations in place, and tables and chairs set up. Once everything was in place, it was time to get himself ready.

Tsukune left the campus behind most of the other students. His bundles of chocolates were cumbersome but not heavy. Once back at the manor he entrusted the chocolates to Ruby and headed up stairs to get ready. He was looking forward to seeing and dancing with Moka.

XxxxxxX

There was something so right about the little black dress, Tsukune decided. Moka's dress hugged her body in a most flattering way. It was a strapless number that she had accessorized with a black, knit shawl that she could drape over her shoulders if the air got chilly. Tsukune allowed himself to admire Moka's smooth arms and legs as well as the curves of her figure.

"Y-you look beautiful," Tsukune said.

"Thank you," Moka said with a sweet smile. "You're looking nice this evening."

Tsukune was dressed in a black vest and trousers with a red shirt. He had not planed out his clothing, but had instead gone with what Ruby had recommended. It turned out to be a good choice. Not only did he match Moka, but he also matched Kurumu, Mizore, Yukari, and Inari. Yukari had tried for an elegant look in a long black, off the shoulder dress that was slit up the sides. While it was nice, her body didn't quite have the curves to give it the impact she had hoped for. Kurumu and Mizore had both gone for a red, Chinese mini dress with short sleeves. Kurumu's dress had a cutout that displayed her cleavage, while Mizore's dress was backless to a daring degree. They had run into each other on their way to meet Tsukune, and he had caught them glaring at each other. He had to admit that they were very nice to look at, and told them so, which seemed to settle them down a little. Inari had been standing with some of her friends out side of the dance when Tsukune and the others arrived. She was wearing a black and red yukata with matching stockings. With her hair done up she was very pretty.

"Tsukune," Moka said, holding his arm in hers as they entered the gym. "Are you sure you want to dance with me tonight?"

"Of course I do," Tsukune said to her in all seriousness. "I've been looking forward to dancing with you."

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Moka tested him. "You can dance with the others."

"Moka," Tsukune said to her with a small frown. "I know I am weak and selfish. I know you deserve better than me. But I want to spend the evening with you. Yes I care about the others, but tonight is your night, and that is how it should be."

"Are you sure?" Moka pressed a little.

"You will always come first," Tsukune said.

"I had better," Moka said with a smile.

XxxxX

True to his word, Tsukune danced with Moka. During the slow dances they held each other close and moved to the music together. During the casual, faster songs, Tsukune and Moka danced together, with the rest of the group dancing close around Tsukune as well. Tsukune put up with the flirtatious bumping and rubbing, but was careful of where his hands were at all times. Through it all, Tsukune had a good time. He had even forgotten that it was Monday, until he was reminded.

It had started over by the refreshments table. A little too much excitement and passion turned a disagreement into something more. Next came the pushing and name calling. The refreshments table was banged against. It rocked one way before tipping back, only to be banged again. Over it went, spilling its burden onto the dance floor. Somebody tried to jump clear, tangling with an extension cord as they landed in the wrong place. There was a spark as an ornamental lantern was pulled free.

Paper and painted decorations caught the spark and caught fire. People were already yelling, upset over the punch and chips that had covered the dance floor, staining dresses and causing falls. The fire spread quickly before somebody cried out in alarm. An edge of panic started to build. Tsukune gathered himself and took stock of who he could call on for help.

And then the fire alarm sounded. The fire had gotten hot enough to set off the sprinkler system. Water sprayed over the gym, putting out the fire and putting an end to the dance.

"Tsukune..." Moka had cried out as the cold water has sprayed down upon her.

Tsukune did his best to shelter her with his body. He knew getting her out of the gym would be a waist of time, from the way most people were crowding at the doors. Instead he hurried her under a table where she would be out of the indoor rain.

"Inari," Tsukune called out. "Find that valve and turn off the water."

"Yes," Inari answered, quick to obey her captain.

"Everybody calm down!" Tsukune roared, adding the power of his youki to his voice. "Stay calm and stop yelling!" He scanned the gym to make sure there was no immediate danger. "Walk calmly," Tsukune ordered. "Just help each other get out side. Don't push and don't run. Stay together and stay calm."

The power of his enhanced voice guided the crowd. Hearing his commands the students were less panicked. The water stopped falling as the dance attendees made their way out of the gym. Tsukune helped Moka to her feet and escorted her out side. She hadn't gotten wet enough to be really weakened, but she was uncomfortable, and feeling cross about the abrupt end of her date.

"I'm sorry about this," Tsukune said to Moka.

"It's not your fault," Moka sniffed.

"Mizore, Yukari, and Kurumu will see you back tot he village," Tsukune said.

"We will?" Kurumu questioned.

"I have to stay here and deal with this," Tsukune continued.

"I understand," Moka said.

"Come on," Kurumu said as she moved to Moka's side. "Let's all get cleaned up."

XxxxxxxxxX

It was after midnight when Tsukune returned to the manor. With the decorations already ruined, Tsukune simply tore them all down. The Dance Committee managed to get the gym cleaned up, but a good scrubbing and polishing of the floor would have to wait. A work crew was going to inspect the building and reset the fire sprinklers. By the time Tsukune had dismissed the rest of the committee they were all tired. He suspected that some of them might decide to take Tuesday off from school.

"Welcome home, Master," Ruby welcomed Tsukune.

"Thank you," Tsukune said.

"What can I do for you Master?" Ruby asked as he kicked off his shoes.

"Bath and bed, Ruby," Tsukune said. "That's all I want right now. Let's go."

Ruby took Tsukune at his word. She helped him get cleaned up and dried off, and then she snuggled up beside him in bed. Ruby was glad that he was back from his trip, and that things would get back to normal.