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, then you should not read this.

Chapter 182

While the Valentine's dance had been forced to end early, it was still a popular topic of conversation around school the next day. The fire wasn't even the biggest part of the talk. What most people were talking about were the couples and the clothes. Because Tsukune had a member from the Photography Club prearranged for the dance, he knew that there would be some good pictures for the next newspaper. Because there had been a dance at the festival Tsukune and his team had gone to, people were speculating about how the two must compare. Tsukune had told his friends about the dance, and to dancing once with Aiko, but what he had not thought about was the popularity of cellphone cameras. Not everybody on the Student Police team had one, but a few did, and they had taken a lot of pictures. Those pictures were being circulated.

It was impossible to not overhear some talk about the dances. During lunch, groups, mostly of girls, were huddled together to talk about the dances and to look at the pictures. Tsukune didn't really think anything of it, until his phone chirped. He checked it and found he had been sent a picture file. He had been about to pocket the phone, willing to wait until after school to see what had been sent, but Moka and Kurumu, who had been at his shoulders, vetoed that idea.

"Tsukune," Moka said in a silky voice. "Why don't you see what it is?"

"I'll look later," Tsukune said.

"But we want to see it now," Kurumu said.

"Somebody went through the trouble of sending it," Moka persisted. "So it must have some importance."

"I doubt..." Tsukune tried to say

"Or is there something you don't want me to see?" Moka gave him a slightly hurt look.

Tsukune was sure the look was all pretense, but Kurumu was also interested in the mystery file.

"Come on and show us," Kurumu said with a small pout. "It can't be anything bad, can it?" She leaned in and stage whispered in his ear. "Because if you wanted dirty pictures I could send you some."

"That won't be necessary," Moka shot Kurumu a dark look.

"Are you going to do it?" Kurumu challenged.

"Of course not," Moka snapped.

"But if that's what Tsukune wants," Kurumu started to say.

"That's not what I want," Tsukune insisted.

"That's right," Moka nodded. "What Tsukune wants is to show us that picture somebody just sent him." She turned her eyes back on his. "Don't you, Tsukune?"

Tsukune knew he couldn't win, so he set his phone on the table and set it to the task of downloading the message while he finished his lunch. When his mail was delivered he exchanged pleasant smiles with the twins, and then noticed that something was different about them.

"That's a new look," Tsukune observed aloud.

"Yes," One twin said.

"We knew you would notice," The other continued.

"We made a new friend..."

"During the trip..."

"And she taught us..."

"Some new things..."

"About makeup."

"I am glad to hear that," Tsukune nodded. "Making friends is every bit as important as protecting them. Good work."

"Thank you..."

"Captain."

The twins were all happy smiles as they headed off. Tsukune was used to the way they talked, and knew that they did it even over some distance, which made talking to one of them alone a little strange. It wasn't that they couldn't talk by themselves, it's just that they had an impulse to share their thoughts in some way. Even if one of them was giving complete statements, the other had to concentrate to keep from giving partial statements at the same time.

Before Tsukune could look through his mail, his attention was demanded on another mater. His pictures had finished downloading. Two had been of him with Aiko, but it was the next two of the batch that Moka and Kurumu had questions about.

"Tsukune," Moka questioned him in an icy voice. "Who is that? And what were you doing with her?"

"She is a fan of Kurumu's," Tsukune explained calmly. "I caught her when she tripped."

"If she is a fan of mine," Kurumu wanted to know. "Then why is she grabbing at you?"

"She saw our dance video," Tsukune explained. "She wanted to know if I was the sweetheart you were always talking about." He gave her a smile. "She was very happy to hear that you and I were still in a relationship."

Kurumu blushed and looked into Tsukune's eyes. She was happy to have fans, but even happier to hear that Tsukune was acknowledging their relationship. That would have ended the tense moment if Moka had not chosen to continue the questioning.

"And what about the next picture," Moka demanded. "Kurumu, if you would..."

Kurumu remembered the business at hand. She expertly worked Tsukune's phone to bring up the next picture. It was an image of Inari and Tsukune very close to each other on the dance floor.

"That was taken after Inari saved me from Kurumu's fan," Tsukune said with a smirk. "The girl had been very excited and had not wanted to let me go. It was kind of embarrassing really."

"It looks like you two were dancing," Moka observed.

"I noticed," Tsukune nodded.

"Were you dancing?" Moka challenged him.

"No," Tsukune answered.

"Alright," Moka said, pushing the phone towards Tsukune.

"Alright?" Kurumu's voice cracked in surprise. "That is all you have to say?"

"I love Tsukune and trust him," Moka said. "If you love him as much as you claim, you should trust him as well."

"Tsukuneee..." Kurumu protested.

"Moka's right," Tsukune said.

"I do trust you," Kurumu argued. "It's all the other women in the world I don't trust."

"You know what they say," Yukari chimed in. "The people who trust the least, are the people that can be trusted the least."

"Oh shut up," Kurumu grumbled at the witch. "You never trusted me or Mizore."

"And why should I?" Yukari demanded. "You're always trying to get in the way..."

Tsukune watched his friends fall into their normal bickering. It was nice not having anything dire hanging over him for a moment so he could enjoy their company. He shared a look with the blushing Mizore before looking to see how Moka was doing. The vampire was leaning gently against him as she sipped at her can of tomato juice.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Tsukune was glad to get through the rest of his day without incident. After school the Newspaper Club enjoyed a normal and productive meeting in their club room. With the exception of Kokoa who lived in the dorms, following the club meeting, they all migrated to the manor to study together. There wasn't a lot of school work to do, so Tsukune finally got around to checking his mail.

Tsukune was pleased to see he had received a letter from a national university that had a police science program. Tsukune had applied to them, and others, looking for the best opportunities to advance his career plans. Tsukune broke open the envelope and read the letter within.

"To Aono Tsukune..." The letter began. "We are pleased to..."

The letter was to notify Tsukune that his application had been accepted. The next step was for him to sit for a placement and assessment examination. The letter included a list of dates and times for the exam, and instructions for making an appointment to reserve his seat.

With a grin, Tsukune shared the contents of the letter with those closest to him. Everybody was happy for him, and showed it in their unique ways. Yukari offered to help Tsukune study for the exam. Moka offered him congratulations with a proud smile. Kurumu offered to help him celebrate with a private party. Mizore congratulated Tsukune, saying that he would be a good father by working so hard. Ruby asked Tsukune if he wanted to practice arresting her, she even offered to 'resist.'

XxxxX

Moka smiled and congratulated Tsukune, but her stomach turned sour. She felt like a liar. Tsukune was working on his career, but she was still just plodding forward without any plan for the future. She had applied to universities, and had been sent letters of acceptance as Tsukune had, but she had not made up her mind on which one to attend yet, or even what she should study for. For the sake of putting something down on paper that would at least look serious, Moka had said she was interested in learning business law and administration. That was something her father would approve of at least.

Moka looked at her friends and wondered how much longer she could continue being so fake. Kurumu was doing more to prove herself a good match for Tsukune than Moka was. Mizore made no pretense about following a career, she intended to be a mother to Tsukune's children full time, and anything else was just something to do until then. It was at such times that Moka wished she had somebody she could turn to for advice.

Eventually it was time for everybody to put up their books and make ready for bed. The fun time for the day was over. There was school in the morning, and reality demanded that they be ready for it.

XxxxxxXxxxxxxX

"Tsukune," Inari approached him as he headed to school in the morning. She had a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. "Good morning."

"Good morning," Tsukune greeted her from beside a clingy and scowling Kurumu. "You are looking happy this morning. Did something good happen?"

"Yes," Inari said, pulling out an envelope. "I was accepted to the university we talked about. I get to take the entrance exams."

"Congratulations," Tsukune smiled. "Me too. We may be classmates."

"Wonderful," Inari said. "That makes this easier. I know what I want to spend my first favor on."

"Oh?" Tsukune asked, feeling the the eyes of the women he loved suddenly watching him sharply.

"I was hoping that you would give me a ride to the examination," Inari said.

"I could probably do that," Tsukune said. "We'll talk later and see if we can schedule something."

"Thank you, Tsukune," Inari gave a happy little skip.

"Tsukune?" Moka questioned him in a sweet voice filled with sharp teeth.

"There is a woman in town..." Tsukune began to explain. He told his companions all about the little old woman, and how he had sacrificed Inari to save himself, incurring a debt. He went on to explain that because there was a precedent, Inrai had been able to collect a couple of favors at his expense since the first one.

Moka gave Tsukune an unreadable look. Kurumu had laughed at his misfortune, but frowned at him when he spoke warmly of the other woman. Inari walked along beside Mizore and Kurumu, smiling as her captain told his side of the story.

XxxX

Moka wasn't happy at the idea of her Tsukune owing somebody else favors. It bothered her even more when the person he owed favors to was another woman. But she had to accept that he was being compassionate and responsible. At lunch Moka gave Tsukune her consent to Inari's request, because she knew it was the right thing to do.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Inari returned to her room with a huge smile on her face. She had a date with Tsukune under the pretense of going to take an entrance exam together. After school they had met up and walked together all the way back to the student village. Inari had liked being invited into the manor, even if she had to be in the company of Tsukune's other companions. Over tea, they had talked about their schedules and piked a date and time for the examinations.

Inari liked the way the schedule was going to work out. Tsukune was going to take their applications for the exams out from the school so he could fax them in to reserve their seats. Next week, on Thursday, she and Tsukune would leave after morning attendance. The test was going to be in the late morning, and they both wanted to make sure they had plenty of time to arrive and be ready. After the examination, Inari intended to make the most of her time with Tsukune. She knew that when they returned that she would have to leave his side while the others questioned him. Friday he would probably be so guarded by the others that Inari would be lucky to do more than say hello.

Inari felt a touch of smug confidence. She may have been late in joining Tsukune's harem, but she thought that she had a better chance than the others realized. Not only was she building relationships with Tsukune, but she was working on a future that they could share. Almost as if to prove the point, Inari and Tsukune were scheduled to be at the koban all day Saturday this week, and had a weekend of koban duty to look forward to following the exams. She would be with him, one-on-one, sharing responsibilities and experiences.

Inari knew she had a lot of work to get done and just over a week to do it. She had books and manuals to study. She had school work that needed to be done. She had to be responsible for her own room and belongings. Of course she also had to plan out what she would wear for her time with Tsukune, for maximum effect.

XxxxxXxxxxxX

Tsukune set his books and notes aside with a small sight of relief. His school work was done for the night, he had already made his trip out to find a fax machine, and he was free to relax. Of course the fact that it was almost midnight kind of spoiled his moment of freedom. Even so, Tsukune knew it was time to find a little enjoyment before he started feeling restless.

"Ruby," Tsukune called out.

"Yes Master," Ruby appeared promptly, hurrying to obey with a smile.

"It's time for a bath and bed," Tsukune said.

"The bath is ready," Ruby gave him a small nod.

"Alright," Tsukune packed his things away in his school bag. With that done, he headed towards his room. He paused before walking pass Ruby. He raised his hand and gave her a playful swipe, hitting nothing but her hair. "Well, let's go," Tsukune said.

"Yes Master," Ruby said with a puzzled look in her eyes. Tsukune's near hit had surprised her. Even more surprising was the playful way he was acting.

An hour later Ruby was cuddled up beside Tsukune, and was about ready to pull her hair out. He had been in a strange humor, teasing her. He had washed and bathed with her, taking the time to touch her body gently. She was sure he knew what he was doing to her. He had even snapped his towel at her bottom, but without any force behind it. As a final touch, he had pulled her hair to hold her close for a deep kiss, before telling her good night. After all of his attention, Ruby was aware of every part of her body. She could feel the fabric of Tsukune's shirt rubbing against her nipples, and lack of anything between her thighs as she pressed them together. She clenched her toes just to try to find some quiet distraction. She had tried to roll to her side, thinking that maybe she could relieve her frustrations while Tsukune slept, as she had in the past. Except that Tsukune had rolled over as well.

Tsukune had spooned up behind Ruby, teasing her with his presence. His arm around her waist was comforting, giving her a sense of safety and belonging, but it also added to her frustration. When he shifted position, pressing a little closer and moving his arm so that his hand was over her breast, Ruby gritted her teeth. She was sure that she was going to be in for a long and trying night.