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 209

"This is such a surprise, Tsukune," Rina cheered into the phone. "I didn't think you would ever call me."

Rina was feeling giddy. Her first Saturday home from school and Aono Tsukune was calling her personal number. As hard as she tried, she could not remember any boy, except her father, ever calling her.

"It is good to hear from you," Rina went on. "What are you doing? When do I get to see you?"

"It sounds like things are going well for you too," Tsukune said. "Congratulations on graduating."

"Thank you," Rina replied.

"I was calling, well," Tsukune tried to be careful with his words. "You know the ball next month?"

"Oh yes," Rina nodded. "Please tell me you are going to be there."

"I'll be there," Tsukune agreed. "We're all going to be there. The reason I am calling is because I am going to bring a friend you've never met."

"Is she from your school?" Rina asked.

"No. His name is Rin and he's an old friend of mine from before high school," Tsukune answered her.

"Oh?" Rina questioned.

Tsukune wasn't sure what it was, but he could tell by the tone of Rina's voice that he was skirting around something touchy.

"I was talking with my friends a little while ago," Tsukune said, deciding to hurry on. "When we got to the topic of girlfriends, well, Rin was kind of left out. He asked me if I knew any good looking women I could introduce him to..."

"You're so sweet," Rina interrupted.

"But Rin brought up a good point," Tsukune went on. "The ball will just be a few hours, and everybody there will pretty much know each other already. He's worried that it won't really be a good chance to really talk."

"Well it's going to be a celebration," Rina said. "I guess that anybody that's graduated will have something to talk about."

"That's true," Tsukune agreed. "But Rin would like to have a chance to know you a little before the ball."

"Oh?" Rina questioned.

"Besides," Tsukune had a sudden idea. "It's a masquerade. If you and Rin have a chance to meet, you might find a theme you can both... hmmmm."

"What?" Rina asked. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry, Rina," Tsukune said. "I just remembered something."

"What?" Rina was hanging on Tsukune's every word.

"Weeellll," Tsukune said. "It's just that Rin comes from the same neighborhood I do. Just a normal average life and family. Your father would probably never approve of him..."

"Oh don't worry about daddy," Rina said with a mischievous smile. "When can I meet up with your friend? You said his name is Rin, right?"

"That's right," Tsukune said. "What are you doing the day after tomorrow?"

"Monday?" Rina thought hard and fast. She did have something to do on Monday, but it wasn't something she was all that worried about. And it was going to be in the evening anyway.

"Rin and I are going to meet up in the morning," Tsukune offered. "And we can meet you someplace and just hang out for a while."

"That sounds like a good idea," Rina agreed. "I'll text you my address and you guys can pick the place to meet around here."

"Alright," Tsukune agreed. "We'll see you Monday."

"See you Monday," Reina shut off her phone. She looked at the cell phone in her hand for a moment and smiled as she thought about all the tings that could happen Monday. "Yes!" she cheered.

XxxxxxxxX

Tsukune tucked his cell phone away. He had some hope that Rina and Rin would make a good match. He looked down the ramen counter to his friend and smiled.

"We'll see her on Monday," Tsukune said.

"You're the best," Rin smiled and gave Tsukune a thumbs up.

Tsukune hung out with his friends a little longer. It was nice to just relax in a normal way, but he knew he had to head home. He was expected at supper, and he was looking forward to watching some television, just to see what was on.

Xx

Tsukune was almost home when he felt the strange pressure of youki building. He was on his guard instantly. He was also off of Hiru, turning his helmet into a cap, so that he would be ready to fight if it was necessary. Because he was already looking for anything out of place, Tsukune saw the shadows in front of his family's home moving. They were like leaves caught in a wind. Little bits of shadow that fluttered across the ground and then swirling together. At first their movement was faint, but the shadows quickly grew darker as they multiplied. When they formed and ink black circle on the ground they swirled up in a cone of glossy darkness.

It only lasted for an instant, just a second or two. The shadows moving and then lifting up, and then the pressure of youki faded and the shadows dissolved in the light and a figure in a long black cloak was left standing on front of the gate. The figured moved to lower it's hood.

"Moka," Tsukune called out.

XxxxX

Kasumi finally found something she did not like about having Ruby around. Moka had arrived, unannounced, with enough belongings for more than just a short visit, while trying to hide how upset she was. Tsukune had brought her in to the house, gave her time to be polite, and then whisked her up to his room to talk. Kasumi, quite naturally, was worried about the poor girl. She was also curious about what had happened, and what Tsukune and Moka were talking about. Kasumi had mentioned getting some refreshments for Tsukune and his guest, a perfect excuse mothers have always used to check up and spy on their children. Ruby had promptly taken over the task.

Ruby was polite and diligent, especial when it came to Tsukune. Kasumi tried to keep it from bothering her, but she was being left in the dark. If she went up stairs now, there was no way she could get close enough to hear what was being said without just blatantly listening in with her ear to the door. Another part of Kasumi's unhappiness was also related to Ruby's loyalty to Tsukune. Whatever was going on up in his room, Ruby would not share it with her.

Kasumi fumed quietly. Ruby was so much like the perfect daughter, but she was spoiling her fun. It just wasn't fair.

XxxxxxxX

Moka let herself just enjoy the moment. Tsukune was sitting on the floor of his bedroom with his back against his bed. Moka was next to him, leaning against him hit her head on his shoulder. It had taken a while, but she had told him about everything that had happened when she had gone home. Tsukune had listened quietly but attentively, holding her close when she needed it. Moka was glad that Tsukune was there when she needed comfort.

"Tsukune," Moka said without moving away form him. "I guess I need to ask you for a favor."

"Name it," Tsukune said without hesitation.

"Well, I guess I will need a place to live now," Moka said. "And seeing as how you have a building with apartments available... Tsukune, will you let me rent..."

"No," Tsukune said flatly.

"What?" Moka sat up quickly and looked at him in surprise.

"No, I will not let rent you a room from me," Tsukune said.

"Why?" Moka demanded.

"Because that would make me your land lord," Tsukune said. "I swore I would support you. That I would serve you. If you are renting from me, that would lower your position. No, the only proper way would for me to invite you to stay as my guest, without rent. That way I will simply be doing my duty to you."

"Tsukune... You..." Moka reached for Tsukune. "I love you."

"I love you too," Tsukune returned her embrace.

"You know," Moka snuggled against him. "Now that I am no longer... No longer living with my family, You and I can..."

"Moka," Tsukune said gently. "Let's just be careful. We still have a long way to go before you and I will be ready to have a family of our own, if that is what you want."

"It is," Moka assured him.

"Me too," Tsukune said. "So we can take our time and make sure we are ready."

"Come'er," Moka moved in for a kiss.

XxxxXXxxxX

"Thank you for letting me be here," Moka said as she joined Tsukune's family for supper. "I am sorry I arrived without warning."

"We're always happy to have you visit," Kasumi said. "And I could tell that there was a reason."

"Yes," Moka nodded. "My father... He and I had a disagreement. He arranged a marriage interview with the family of someone he does business with, but he didn't tell me. I tried to be polite but also make it clear that I was not interested. The other person, the son I was introduced to, he did not want to believe me."

"Oh my," Kasumi's eyes were wide.

"I kept having to say no," Moka explained. "And each time I had to be more assertive. Finally I had to be very rude for him to understand that I did not want his attention, and that I was already..." Moka blushed and glanced towards Tsukune. "That is, I already had somebody I was interested in."

"Oh, you poor dear," Kasumi's eyes were shining. The scene in her imagination included Moka pouring ice water over the head of some over-eager young man.

"Father and I had an argument after that," Moka continued. "He thought that I should be more considerate towards his plans. I decided that if I am going to be able to take university seriously, then I needed to take responsibility for my own life and move out of my father's house."

"That's very commendable of you," Kasumi said with a smile and a nod. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you need to."

"Thank you," Moka said with a note of relief.

"Fortunately, Ruby has already made arrangements for her," Tsukune said.

"What?" Kasumi blinked.

"Yes," Tsukune went on. "She was able to talk to the owner of the building she manages. There are apartments available, so Moka can move in any time."

"Oh my," Kasumi felt disappointed. Her surrogate daughters were not going to be hanging around like she had hoped. "But you can stay a little while with us can't you?"

"I can stay a few days," Moka agreed. "But I don't want to be a bother."

"Oh, it's no bother," Kasumi smiled.

Tsukune and his father spent the rest of the meal carefully observing the women. Kasumi was happy to have a few days with the younger women, so she was going to try to do as much as she could. Tsukune was glad that he already had plans for Monday. His father tried not to flinch as he listed to Kasumi's ideas and mentally counted up the cost. For Ruby and Moka, Kasumi's mothering attention was more than a little excessive, but still something to be enjoyed. Between the three women, the atmosphere around the dinner table was a merry one.

XxxxxxxXXXxxxxxxxxX

Mizore was proud of her new house. She had built it large, with room for many children. Large homes in the village were usually the residents of one of the noble families, like her mother's, who had gained prestige by service to the community. A Snow Maiden making a large home for herself was usually considered boastful, but Mizore didn't care. She was confident that she would need lots of room to raise her children. She was already pregnant with Tsukune's child, and and she intended to make sure that it was just the first of many.

After building her house, Mizore had opened the doors to the her neighbors. It was an old tradition that was seldom enjoyed any more. The building of a home was a declaration of her pregnancy, and her readiness to have a family. Opening the doors to the community was an invitation for her neighbors to come and see her new home, and to offer gifts to the expecting mother. The gifts, by tradition, were all second hand. Things from homes that had already known children, so they were considered lucky.

There was another reason for having her home open. Mizore welcomed her visitors at the entry way. As each woman entered, they used their sensitive awareness of life, of Warmth, to check to see if Mizore was truly pregnant. It was thought that the touch of Warmth from all the neighbors would help the growing baby feel connected to the village and its people. While the first showing of the house was a big event, Mizore knew it was only the first. Each time she became pregnant, Mizore would be opening her doors to the community.

For the first pregnancy, with her own in the lead, experienced mothers would be visiting Mizore regularly to help her and teach her. Once the first child was born, those same mothers would help with caring for and teaching it. Children were so important to the village, that each one was a treasure to be nurtured and protected.

Mizore had built her house. She had held it open so that it, and she, could be inspected by the community, and to receive their gifts. Her ice puppets arranged everything, making sure that the furniture and decorations were all in place. She looked around with a sense of satisfaction in what she had achieved. Now she just had to decide when to tell Tsukune the truth.

Mizore was excited to be carrying Tsukune's child, but at the same time she felt guilty about it. She had been planing to wait until he was ready to be a father, until he married and had conceived a child with Moka, but after what had happened to Inari, Mizore realized that she didn't dare wait. In all the fights she had been in, it had never occurred to her that she might lose the ability to carry Tsukune's children, to have any children of her own. Mizore had decided that it was better to take a chance that Tsukune would forgive her for betraying him, than to possibly never be able to fulfill her duty as a woman.

Mizore retired to her bedroom as she considered the future. The Futon was comforting, and large enough for three people to sleep together. Mizore did not want to share her bed with anybody but Tsukune, but Kurumu had taught her something. There may be times when being willing to share could bring her more than being selfish.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXxxxX

"Good night, Moka," Tsukune said with a kiss.

"Good night," Moka replied. She stepped out of Tsukune arms and into the guest room, trying to keep her frustration from showing. So close yet so far away. Moka did not like the Aono guest room. It wasn't because it was smaller than her old dorm room. What bothered her was that she couldn't sleep in the same room as Tsukune. Ruby had told some wild story to Tsukune's mother, and had gained a futon in his room as a reward. Moka wished that there was some way she could make the witch trade places with her for the night, but knew why she couldn't. It was a cold comfort to Moka knowing that Tsukune came from such a well mannered home and family.