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 184
Tsukune felt a little guilty about how much he had enjoyed the last few days. Something about having four lovers, he counted Ruby as one even if she didn't, seemed to be some kind of twisted torture. He knew he should feel bad about being so indecisive, but that was hard to remember when somebody he loved was making him feel good. Thursday night he had spent with Mizore in his arms. Friday had passed in a relaxed and happy mood, starting with Kurumu asking him on a date as soon as he had opened his front door. That date had included dinner which she had cooked, some study time, and making love until they wore each other out.
Saturday had been calmer. Tsukune had taken Moka out for some shopping and lunch. After his date, he had gone to bed soon after supper so he would be rested when he got up early Sunday. When Ruby had cuddled up with him, he hadn't objected, simply because he liked the feel of having a woman he cared about close beside him. When her cool hands reached out for his flesh, Tsukune had yielded to her desire. Tsukune liked the way he could abandon most restraint with Ruby. Biting at her nipple hard enough to draw blood only excited her and brought her more pleasure.
At the koban with Inari the next day, Tsukune had spent a good portion of his shift reviewing police manuals. They quized each other back and forth, because they both wanted to be ready for their coming exam. Between studying and working, Tsukune and Inari had shared their time together just being friendly.
Monday had been a mixed blessing. Kurumu had been away from school for a business meeting. The Human World exercise had been another round of forced social situations. This time it was drinking party with the boss and/or client. Tsukune wondered where they were getting their ideas from. Tsukune had actually been excused from the exercise and called to the Board Chairman's office, for a meeting with the board.
Tsukune entered the office and felt his insides clench at the sight of the six chairs facing the desk.
"And here he is now," The Board Chairman said. "Come on in boy."
Tsukune moved to the all too familiar place between the chairs and the desk. He didn't want to turn his back to the Board Chairman, but felt that it was less likely to be rude to him than to leave his back to the six members of the board. He turned to face the chairs and offered a small bow.
"Good day," Tsukune said politely.
"Ahhhh, welcome," Said the gravelly voice. "It is good to see you again."
"I hope that you have been well," Lady Kuroi Sora said.
"Yes," Tsukune nodded. "Thank you ma'am."
"That's not what I heard," Came the voice like ripping parchment. "You were nearly killed just a few weeks ago. Isn't that true?"
"Yes sir," Tsukune answered. "But I got better."
"Good answer," Gravel voice chuckled, or maybe coughed.
"You have been performing well," Said the voice that sounded like crackling energy. "Are you looking forward to graduation?"
"Yes sir, I am." Tsukune tried not to let how eager he was to graduate reflect in his voice.
"What are your plans after you graduate?" Gravel voice asked.
"I am applying to universities," Tsukune said. "Ones with police science programs."
"Are you going to turn your back on the world this school represents?" A voice that sounded like a chorus of reeds questioned Tsukune.
"How can I?" Tsukune asked.
"Why the human school then?" The chorus pressed.
"Because I need to build a career and a life," Tsukune said. "So that I can be with the people that are most important to me. People that I only had a chance to meet by going to this school."
"Another good answer," Gravel Voice approved.
"Mikogami," Lady Kuroi Sora spoke up. "I know you will do everything you can to see the project go forward. I've decided to see if I can help things along as well, in a less official capacity. Aono Tsukune," She said, directing her words towards him. "Keep up the good work, and I will be in touch." Suddenly her chair faded from view.
"Damn that woman," Ripping parchment voice swore. "She is going to meddle again."
"You make that sound like a bad thing," The Board Chairman said.
"Are you joking?" Ripping parchment said. "She tried to encourage equal rights in the Middle Kingdom, and it touched off a revolution!" His chair blinked out of existence.
"It appears our meeting is at an end," Gravel voice said. "I will be in touch."
The remaining chairs faded out.
"Well my boy," The Board Chairman chuckled. "You brought that meeting to an end quickly."
"Was it something I said?" Tsukune turned to face the head of the school.
"Before you arrived," The Board Chairman said. "We were discussing the plans for the expansion of the academy. The board was concerned that you might wish to escape back to the world you once knew. They are still watching you to gauge the success of this school's work to help humans and youkai to coexist."
"I see," Tsukune said even though he didn't.
"Good," The Board Chairman said with a nod. "Because there is much work left to do. More than a lifetime's worth, and there is going to be a lot of people depending on you."
"Errrr..." Tsukune felt a familiar twisting of his stomach
"But I have faith in you, Tsukune my boy," The Board Chairman gave him a disturbing smile. "You have already set things into motion. Your little friend will be attending our academy at the start of the next term. A few other candidates are also being scouted. Your performance here will be a model for them to follow."
"Ahhh..." Tsukune didn't know what to say.
"You should be proud," The Board Chairman declared.
"Yes sir," Tsukune replied.
"Don't worry," The man leaned back in his chair. "I know you will do your best for the sake of this school."
XxxxX
By the time Tsukune made it to the gym, the exercises were almost over. There was nothing for him to do but wait for his friends. Once school let out for the day, Tsukune and his friends returned to the village. He and Moka spent the rest of the afternoon mostly studying together, but she excused herself after supper. Mizore made her appearance only moments later. She stayed the night with Tsukune once more.
Tuesday was more of a normal day. Tsukune was almost ready for school when Moka arrived looking for a special breakfast. She didn't even seem to mind that Mizore had been still pulling up her stockings in the same room. Kurumu was back, and she wasted no opportunities to to cling to Tsukune. She made a date with him for a study session after school, and they even got their assignments done before she started getting amorous. As he lay in bed beside a contented and sleeping Kurumu, Tsukune wrestled with dark thoughts.
Tsukune had been about to fall asleep, and just generally feeling good, until an unwelcome thought had bubbled up in his mind. He had thought to himself that life was wonderful at the moment, but unbidden came the question of 'how long can it last?' The next question that had surfaced in his mind was 'what is going to go wrong to spoil this?' From there, one dark thought after another rose up. His imagination teamed up with his memory of things that had gone wrong in the past. He pictured one, or more, of his lovers being put in danger. He saw himself being hurt in an ambush. He imagined being handed an impossible task by the Board Chairman and forced away from the women that he loved. His doubts about himself also surfaced. Would these wonderful women that he loved suddenly come to their senses and leave him for men that could be faithful? Would his inner youkai seize control and reduce him into something that had to be caged or killed? In time, sleep claimed Tsukune and his doubts and dreams bended together into twisted visions.
Tsukune had been about to fall asleep, and just generally feeling good, until an unwelcome thought had bubbled up in his mind. He had thought to himself that life was wonderful at the moment, but unbidden came the question of 'how long can it last?' The next question that had surfaced in his mind was 'what is going to go wrong to spoil this?' From there, one dark thought after another rose up. His imagination teamed up with his memory of things that had gone wrong in the past. He pictured one, or more, of his lovers being put in danger. He saw himself being hurt in an ambush. He imagined being handed an impossible task by the Board Chairman and forced away from the women that he loved. His doubts about himself also surfaced. Would these wonderful women that he loved suddenly come to their senses and leave him for men that could be faithful? Would his inner youkai seize control and reduce him into something that had to be caged or killed? In time, sleep claimed Tsukune and his doubts and dreams bended together into twisted visions.
XxxxxxxxxX
"Tsukune, what's wrong?" Kurumu asked him Wednesday morning.
Tsukune had slipped out of bed first to use the water closet and wash up. When he woke Kurumu, she had been puffy faced with her hair a tangled mess. She had stumbled off to he toilet and then the bath with only a mumbled greeting and a sleepy smile. She was still pulling her cloths straight when she went down stairs to find Tsukune and breakfast.
Kurumu had found Tsukune sitting at the kitchen table, dressed for school, and looking like he had been awake all night. His hair was as unruly as ever. His eyes were red, and not in a youkai way. Tsukune's posture was of somebody that was tired as if he had just finished a hard day of heavy work. Kurumu felt a cold hand touch her heart. She was suddenly afraid that her own youkai nature might have hurt him. She asked him what was wrong, but was afraid of the possible answer. She was worried that she had drained Tsukune of his life energy, as succubi were known to do.
"Morning," Tsukune said, giving her a tired half-smile. "I'm fine. I just had bad dreams last night so I didn't get any rest."
"Are you sure," Kurumu reached out to touch him.
With her hand on him, Kurumu's awareness of Tsukune was amplified. She could feel the beating of his heart almost as clearly as her own. She was rewarded be feeling his vital energy coursing though him like a river. She wondered how he could sit still with so much rushing around inside of him. There was almost no Lust in him at the moment. That was something that Kurumu had needed to get used to. Tsukune could be so free of Lust, but filled with passion for her that it drove her mad. Her mother had finally explained it to Kurumu in a long letter that wasn't telling her how to seduce Tsukune for once. Tsukune was the Mate of Fate that Kurumu had always named him, Ageha had explained, because he could love her without falling victim to his lust, so it was safe for them to be together. That piece of information had been a relief to Kurumu, but she still worried that as she accepted Tsukune's passion and energy, that she might still be taking too much from him.
"Master has assured me," Ruby said as she set a plate of eggs and toast on the table for Kurumu. "That he is well, and that you did not harm him."
"I would never hurt Tsukune," Kurumu protested as she sat down beside Tsukune to eat.
"So you say," Ruby shot back.
-Smack-
Ruby staggered back from the table, almost falling to the floor.
"Wha!" Kurumu's eyes went wide with shock. Tsukune's hand had moved so fast she almost hadn't seen it.
"Mind your manners," Tsukune growled at Ruby with a dark, almost angry look in his eyes.
Kurumu felt stunned. It had been the most ruthlessly violent thing she had ever seen Tsukune do. She knew he could be violent in a fight, especially when he was protecting somebody, but that had always been when he had been provoked. He had even struck Ruby, smacking her across the face, when she had insulted her once. This time he had lashed out physically for just a comment, and not even a serious insult, with a blow that had staggered his servant. Kurumu looked to Ruby and saw that she was bleeding from the nose and a split lip. The witch was looking flush; shocked and excited at the same time. Lust radiated from her.
"Yes Master," She offered Tsukune a deep curtsy. "Thank you Master." She turned her eyes to Kurumu. "I beg your forgiveness for forgetting my place." She apologized to Kurumu with a sparkle in her eyes.
Kurumu didn't say anything after that. She felt confused. Had Tsukune reacted out of love for her? Had he simply been playing Ruby's game? He had acted in such an unexpected way Kurumu didn't know what to make of it. The scariest part was the way he didn't even seem aware of what he had done.
XxxxxXxxxX
"Tsukune," Moka said as soon as she saw him that morning. "What's wrong?"
"Good morning, Moka," Tsukune said with a lazy smile that lent a brightness to his bleary eyes. "Nothing's wrong."
"Don't give me that," Moka said as she shot a dark look at Kurumu. "If you're trying to hide..."
"I just had some bad dreams last night," Tsukune explained, cutting her off. "I didn't get any rest because I dreamed that you were taken away from me, that you found somebody better than me."
"Tsukune," Moka protested. "Never." She reached out to embrace him.
Tsukune hugged her in return. As soon as she touched Tsukune, Moka's felt her heart speed up. There was something about Tsukune that morning. His muscles felt strong. His energy was pulsing. He accepted her arms around him without hesitation even as he reached out to hold her. On top of all that, his warm scent surrounded her, making her feel safe and hungry at the same time.
Mizore had watched the whole exchange. She could tell that there was something more than just a restless night bothering Tsukune. The way he moved reminded her not of somebody who was tired, but of a large mountain bear that was just taking its easy time in going somewhere. It was a dangerous illusion. There was power there that was just waiting for a reason to be put to use, but most people would not see it until it was too late. Mizore could also tell from the way Kurumu moved that she was aware of something being different about Tsukune as well.
"Morning," Yukari called out, her usually perky self. With Kurumu and Mizore hanging back a little to talk, the young witch had no problem taking one of Tsukune's arms.
XxxxX
Tsukune felt a little strained all day. It was strange. He didn't feel tired, but at the same time he did. When he was called on in class, he was able to spout out answers to questions, correctly, before he had time to even think things through. To add to his feelings of unreality, there was some strange giddiness that lurked around at the back of his mind. It reminded him of when he had played games as a child, pretending to be a ninja, sneaking around without being seen to try and snag sweets from the kitchen.
Outwardly, by lunch Tsukune was mostly back to normal. The tired look was gone from his face and he had a smile for his companions. At the same time, Tsukune felt more like a passenger inside his own head. During P.E. Tsukune coasted through the warm-up, and even running laps was effortless. He didn't run faster than normal, or do anything to rise above the level he normally displayed to his classmates. It was just like somebody had put in cheat codes on a game. Everything was just too easy.
While the class was running laps, Tsukune passed a trio of girls. While they were in his class and he knew who they were, they were nobody he thought of in any particular way. As he was passing them, Seki, a girl with the blackest hair and eyes Tsukune had ever seen, took a wide step and threw her hip against the flame-red-haired Kasai.
"Wha!" Kasai gave a surprised cry as she fell into Tsukune's path.
Tsukune reached out to catch her, and to try to keep them both from falling. Kasai felt Tsukune's hands and reached out blindly to catch on in hopes of keeping her own balance. Tsukune had been running faster than she her. Suddenly her weight was an anchor beside him. Tsukune was turned about as he tried to stay on his feet. Kasai felt herself being pulled around in a circle and was caught between going with it and trying to stay in control. In trying to gain a stable stance, she stepped wide and kicked her foot in the way of Tsukune's.
It was like a wild dance. One action forced another. Tsukune's power and reflexes mixed with Kasai's agility into a series of motions as each tried to keep their balance. Finally Tsukune was able to use his strength and longer legs to force them to stop. With a small slide sideways he pulled Kasai about and against him. Kasai felt her footing give out all together, but instead of falling, she came to a stop against something firm while being supported. The wild dance of missteps had only lasted for seconds, but it had left her breathless.
Kasai finally noticed who was holding her close as she regained her balance and footing. She realized first that she was being held closely. There was a small instant of embarrassment at being held close while in her tee shirt and bloomers because she was worried about how she might smell and look after running, and then nearly falling. This brought her an awareness of the person holding her, and how he smelled faintly of flowers, spices, and something else. She looked up then to see who was holding her and saw the calm handsome face of Aono Tsukune looking down upon her. His eyes were bright and there was a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Are you alright?" Tsukune asked the young woman he found in his arms.
"..." Kasai opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She felt her knees go weak. She would have collapsed to the ground then and there, except that Aono Tsukune was holding her.
Kasai's mind and heart raced. Aono Tsukune was the head of the Student Police and the undisputed guardian of the school. Aono Tsukune was the second in charge of the school. Aono Tsukune was a man of mystery and power. Every rumor about him flooded through her head. Every romantic bit of gossip and speculation she had ever heard.
"Kasai?" Tsukune asked, seeing her stunned expression. "Are..."
Kasai didn't know what made her do it. She had been there, in his arms. He was looking down and she was looking up. She suddenly reached up and grabbed his head with both hands and pulled hard, lifting herself up into a kiss.
Kasai wondered how she should count it. The first time she had kissed somebody that wasn't a part of her family had been on a dare when she was eleven. That had been just a quick peck on the lips with a boy in her class. In her second year at the Academy, a guy had tried to kiss her, but had just mashed his lips against hers. Kissing Tsukune was different from anything she had known before. His lips were yielding and his tongue... Kasai found herself moaning into Tsukune's mouth as they kissed. When she finally felt cool air in her mouth and rushing into her lungs, her head was spinning. She clung to Tsukune and swallowed hard.
'Oh my god...' Kasai's mind tried to find some direction. She swallowed again. 'Am I drooling?' Random thoughts kept popping up.
"Kasai, are you alright?" Tsukune asked again.
"Yes?" She breathed, not quite sure of anything right then.
"Kasai?" Tsukune's voice filled her ears.
Two thoughts suddenly crystallized in her mind. 'I can die happy now,' She thought as she felt the rush of excitement that made her body tremble. 'I am going to die now,' Kasai was absolutely sure when she felt the killing auras focused on her.
"Tsu-Tsu-Tsu..." Moka studdered.
"Tsukuneeee!" Kurumu cried out.
"Kasai," Seki called out.
Kasai looked around and saw that she was in the middle of a small but growing crowd. Tsukune's harem and guards were looking at her with murder in their eyes. Other classmates were gathered around looking at her with excitement and disbelief.
"Eep..." Kasai squeaked. She wanted to run away, but at the same time she wanted to cling to Tsukune so he could protect her.
"Are you alright?" Tsukune asked again.
"No," Kasai answered in a small voice.
"Do you need to go see the nurse?" Tsukune asked.
"Alright," Kasai nodded. She finally managed to let go of him and tried to stand on her own. Her legs didn't want to work right and she wobbled dangerously.
"Let me help you," Seki said.
The crowd parted to let the pair leave. Tsukune looked to his friends with a crooked smile on his face. The whole experience had been one big, unreal accident to him, almost as if he had watched it happen on a television show. As Moka, Mizore, Kurumu, and Yukari closed in on Tsukune, the rest of their classmates moved away. From the killing aura the young women were giving off, being too close was likely to be dangerous.
"Tsukune," Moka spoke in a low voice. "What just happened?"
Tsukune took the time to explain everything in detail. He even included seeing Seki bump into Kasai. All the while he felt a strange sense of detachment.
"I see," Moka said as her killing intent faded a little. She reached out and touched Tsukune's chest lightly. She could feel his surging power, but under her fingertips his heart was beating slow and steady. There was no sign that he had been excited by the other woman's kiss. "We'll talk more, later," Moka said as she stepped back from Tsukune with a small nod.
"I will be looking forward to later," Tsukune nodded back.
"Tsukuneeee," Kurumu pressed in, pushing her breasts against him. She lowered her voice to little more than a whisper. "You don't need to be so friendly to every girl that comes along." She gave him a pout. "You know I just get so jealous when you do."
"Don't worry," Tsukune said, patting her on the head. "I know that there are very few women that could ever measure up to you."
Kurumu's face twisted into a cute expression that reflected her confused emotions. She wasn't sure what Tsukune had meant by his comment. He could have been talking about how he felt about her, about the size of her breasts, or just making a short joke.
XxxxxxxxxxxX
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod..." Kasai kept saying, her face as red as her hair. She was sitting on a bed in the nursing office with the curtains pulled closed
"Kasai, what were you thinking?" Seki questioned her friend as she sat beside her.
"I don't know," Sakai answered in a moan. "It all happened so fast. I don't believe I kissed him." She made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "I kissed Aono Tsukune."
"I saw you," Seki said. "Most of the class saw you."
"Ohmygod," Saksai squeaked.
"So now you know what you have to do," Seki said.
"What?" Sakai asked.
"Talk!" Seki demanded. "You kissed Aono Tsukune. You have to tell me what it was like."
"Oh..." Sakai tried to think. "It was... Umm..."
"Come on," Seki urged.
"Well..." Sakai looked around nervously. "It was almost like he was kissing me in two places."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Seki blinked.
"Have you ever...?" Sakai made a gesture towards her lower body, moving her fingers in a small circle just below her waist.
"Yeah..." Seki gave her friend a confused and slightly embarrassed look.
"You know how it made you feel," Sakai went on. "In your head, and your chest, and everything?"
"Uh huh," Seki nodded.
"Kissing Aono-San had been so exciting," Sakai explained. "His lips were warm, and then his tongue..." Sakai felt her body warming at the memory. "And then it was like I was melting. Those feelings were just.. Just... Ooohh..."
"Oh..." Seki's eyes were wide and a blush was coloring her cheeks.
The two girls looked at each other with blushing faces. On the other side of the room, behind another curtain, was a first year girl who had turned her ankle and the two friends that had helped her to the nursing office. The trio were red-faced and wide-eyed as they pressed hands over their mouths.