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 210
Kurumu was feeling frustrated at the way the world kept getting in the way of her time with Tsukune. She had woken up a little early on Sunday, just a little after Ten O'clock, and had decided to call Tsukune and invite him over for dinner. She had not been happy to learn that Moka had already made a move and was at his house. Not only had the vampire beaten Kurumu to the punch, but she was also blocking her own plans. She could no longer play the respectful visit to Tsukune's home and take the opportunity to be close to him without looking like she was playing the 'other woman.' Kurumu knew that playing the wanton other woman around Tsukune's parents would be a bad idea.
Monday was another day of frustration. Kurumu had work to attend to. Now that she had graduated, and was not yet attending college, her agent had things for her to do. It would be days before she had any time to herself again. Kurumu knew Tsukune would be busy with his own work soon, which made Monday all the more of a trial. While she was trapped in a studio doing lighting and sound checks, she could feel Tsukune coming closer, and knew that she could not be with him.
XxxxxxxxxxxX
Tsukune was glad to get out of the house Monday morning. As much as he loved Moka, and even Ruby, he was not interested in being around when they and his mother started talking about makeup and body powders. With his spare helmet, he took Hiru over to meet Rin. Thinking about what the day had in store for his friend had Tsukune smiling with dark mischievousness.
XxxxX
"Do I get to drive it?" Rin asked as he looked at Tsukune's motorcycle.
"No," Tsukune said as he handed his friend the spare helmet.
"Awww," Rin pouted as he accepted the helmet.
"Let me explain a few things to you," Tsukune said. "Hiru is special. She is going to get us where we're going but you can not tell anybody how long it takes us, or about the rout we're going to take."
"Why not?" Rin asked.
"You'll understand by the time we get there," Tsukune said. "I'm taking a big risk, but I know I can trust you. You will keep this a secret, won't you?"
"Yes," Rin promised. "We're friends. You can trust me." He strapped the helmet onto his head. "So where are we going?"
Xxx
Rin had thought Tsukune was ether crazy or trying to be funny. He had said that they were going to meet this girl he knew in an hour, in a place that would take almost three hours to reach by train. The next thing Tsukune had done was to start driving in the wrong direction. Rin figured that Tsukune was just messing with him, and thought as long as he didn't react the joke would be over faster. It was ten minutes later when Rin realized what the real punchline was.
"Hold on tight," Tsukune said as he turned down a side street.
That was all the warning Rin had. It was all the warning he needed. The side street that Tsukune had tuned down was old and seldom used for more than a walk way, because it was steep and twisted back and forth. There was no way anything more than a small car could fit down the street, and nobody with a car would ever try considering how badly the pavement had cracked and broken over the years. Rin held on tight and wondered if his friend might actually be crazy after all. Looking ahead he could see where a section of modern highway bridged over the old road. Seeing the dark whole ahead of them, Rin felt his heart freeze in his chest as the motorcycle accelerated.
XxX
"Oh my god..." Rin breathed.
Tsukune had, thankfully, stopped once they were out in the sunlight again. Rin had been sure that he was about to die. When he had been a little kid, Rin had loved riding the swings at the park. He would swing as high as he could, and then he would jump, enjoying the brief moment of flying before he would land on the ground. That moment of free-fall had been the most exciting thing in the world for him, until he discovered girls. When Tsukune had taken them rushing into the darkness, Rin had felt the world drop away. He remembered the sensation of being in free-fall, and knew that the ground would be waiting for him to land. When he didn't land after a second, Rin felt his fear building. The longer the fall the harder the landing. In his mind he pictured himself, Tuskune, and the motorcycle ending up at the bottom of a deep pit, broken, smashed, and dead. And then there was a sudden lurch, and daylight was restored. The flight though the dark was over.
As soon as Tsukune had brought them to a stop on the side of the road, Rin had stumbled off the back of the bike. He took deep gasping breaths as he tried to get his voice to work. With his legs shaking he looked around.
"Oh my god... Tsukune?" Rin finally turned back to his friend. "What the hell was that?"
"That is why you have to keep the trip a secret," Tsukune answered. "All those things we were talking back during the party, you remember? I was being serious. There is a lot more going on in Japan, and the whole world than most people can guess."
"Holy crap," Rin said. "But what was that?"
"That was a shortcut," Tsukune said. "We just travel over a hundred kilometers in an instant."
Rin looked around again, this time noticing what he was seeing. Behind them was a a line of old tori that looked like they had been painted red once upon a time. Rin saw that they were were on the edge of a park, where the trail were cut across by a road. The closest vehicle that he could see, besides Tsukune's motorcycle, was a golf cart.
"And you can travel like that all the time?" Rin asked.
"It's like a cheat code," Tsukune explained. "Or a secret level. You have to know where the entrance is, and you have to know how to open it."
"Why didn't you warn me?" Rin demanded.
"How?" Tsukune shot back. "Would you have taken me seriously if I told you we were going to take a secret warp tunnel a hundred kilometers in seconds?"
"Well..." Rin blinked.
"Come on," Tsukune gestured to the back east of the motorcycle. "We're almost there."
"Alright," Rin said as he moved to remount. "But you're going to have to try to give me some more warning before you do anything like that again. Alright?"
"Sure," Tsukune said. "By the way..."
"What?" Rin asked.
"Just wanted to warn you," Tsukune smirked. "We're coming back the same way."
"Shut up," Rin snapped.
XxxX
Rin new he was in trouble as soon as he saw her. That tight blouse, the short skirt, and the purple stockings, along with her brown and black hair and bright makeup, Rina was the perfect image of trouble looking for a place to happen. Rin, a career girl chaser, knew instinctively that Rina was a girl that wanted to be chased.
"Tsukune," Rina cheered. "It's good to see you."
"Thank you," Tsukune accepted a tight hug from her. "You're looking good. How have you been?"
"Better now that you're here," Rina answered.
"Rina," Tsukune said. "I would like to introduce you to my friend Rin. Rin, this is Rina."
"Hey~lo," Rina sang as she offered Rin her hand.
"Hey-ro," Rin replied in intentionally bad English.
It turned out to be a fund day for everybody. Lunch was at an inexpensive family restaurant, where Rin and Rina sat together. The easiest topic to talk about was school. Tsukune mostly just relaxed and enjoyed his lunch while the others chatted away. Rin and Rina had a tension between them that they were able to ignore as long as they kept talking about things that were common, like boring teachers or pointless assignments. When they weren't eating or talking, they started to get nervous and tense up. That was when Tsukune would make a comment.
"Rina," Tsukune spoke up. "Have you ever played tennis?"
She would answer. Rin would have something to throw in on the topic. Tsukune would drop out of the conversation as the pair chatted on for a bit. After a while it was clear that the restaurant was used up. Lunch was gone, the dishes were cleared away, and the manager was giving them looks. Meanwhile, it was getting harder to keep the conversation going.
"I saw game center on the way over," Tsukune suggested.
"Cool," Rina perked up. "Let's go blow stuff up."
"You like video games?" Rin asked as he stood.
"Only the fun ones," Rina gave him a crooked grin.
Rin offered Rina a hand up and they started talking about video games. They compared the pros and cons of straight action games vs story games. That also brought up the debate of stand-alone games vs games that hand new squeals ever couple of years, like Doom House I, II, III, and IV. The conversation became a little heated when Rin complained of what he considered "Girly games." The bickering was done with smiles so Tsukune stayed out of it at first. But Rin was never good at knowing when to quit.
"And do you know how bad those dancing games are messing things up?" Rin complained. The take up too much space, they're too loud, and you just stand on them looking funny."
"Hey now," Tsukune protested. "When was the last time you even tried one?"
"Those games are fun," Rina threw in.
"They're goofy," Rin argued. "They're just for girls that want to act silly. You almost never see guys on them, and for a good reason."
"You're just embarrassed because you're no good at it," Tsukune said as they reached the gaming center.
"How hard could it be?" Rin scoffed. "It's just a game. All you have to do is follow the directions it gives you. Piece of cake."
"If that's what you really believe," Tsukune smirked as he saw the large dance machine in the game center. "Prove it."
"What?" Rin questioned.
"I challenge you to a duel on the dance machine," Tsukune gestured to the machine he knew all too well.
"Awww hell no," Rin shook his head.
"Chicken?" Tsukune taunted.
"What's in it for me?" Rin demanded.
"You mean besides a chance to impress girls?" Tsukune asked.
"Besides looking like an idiot," Rin said.
"I give the winner a kiss," Rina offered.
"No," Tsukune said. "That would just get me in trouble."
"You that sure you'd win?" Rin gave a laugh.
"Tell you what," Tsukune said. "If you get a better score than me, without any cheating or dirty tricks, I will personally ask the Sweetheart Chef to cook you a dinner."
"You're on," Rin said with a grin.
"I'll program the machine," Rina said, hurrying ahead the short distance.
Tsukune did a couple of quick warm-up stretches before stepping up onto the dance platform. Rina had programed it for four dancers, recruiting a girl that had been looking at the machine (technically ahead of Rina to use it,) and joined the others on the platform. Rin and Tsukune traded smirks. The music started.
Xx
"You did pretty good," Tsukune said to the unknown girl once the music stopped.
Tsukune had scored well, beating out the others by a wide margin. He saw that he was in the top ten on the machine's score board. The girl had made the top twenty. Rina had not done so well, but she was still a good five thousand points above Rin.
"Damn," Rin panted. "How's you get so good?"
"Practice," Tsukune said. "Girls love to dance."
"That's right," Rina agreed.
"Why don't you and Rina practice some more," Tsukune said to his friend. "While I go blow something up."
"Um..." The girl spoke up. "Excuse me, but is it really you?"
"Errr," Tsukune turned to face the girl. "Ahhh,"
Tsukune had a sinking feeling he knew exactly what she meant. When he looked at her he could see the question in her eyes. Tsukune realized that he was wearing his riding jacket which was very much like the one he had worn for some of live promotional events. Sure enough, now that there was nobody actively using the machine, the monitors were starting to show clips that included some of his appearances.
"Yes," Tsukune nodded, answering in a low voice.
"I knew it," The girl brightened. "And that was the Sweetheart Chef too, wasn't it."
"Yes," Tsukune nodded again.
"Does that mean..." The girl was looking very excited.
"Yes," Tsukune said. "I'm the one she's talking about."
"I knew it," She cheered.
"What's she talking about?" Rin asked.
"Watch the monitor," Tsukune said as he retreated from the dance platform.
"Huh?" Rin looked up at the monitor.
"Oh my god," The girl said as she left the dance machine and frantically pushed the buttons of her cell phone.
XxX
Rin fumed quietly once he saw the promotional video play though. He realized that he had been suckered by his friend. The problem was that there was little he could do about it. It was just adding salt to the wound to see some random girls suddenly showing interest in Tsukune.
"He's going to get it later," Rin said with a frown.
"It's not that bad," Rina said as she took Rin's arm.
"What do you mean?" Rin asked.
"It got you to dance with me," Rina said. "Now let's go blow something up, and then we'll try another dance."
"You're right," Rin sighed. "Thank you for the dance."
"My pleasure," Rina smiled as the moved off together.
XxxxxX
When Rin left the game center she was looking forward to the ball. It would be fun to see Rin again. Once he had gotten over feeling embarrassed, it turned out that he could actually dance pretty well. He was good at the more violent video games as well. Rina had made sure to trade contact information with Rin, because she was looking forward to getting to know him better, and for the chance to play with him in the future.
When Rin was ready for the trip home, he had a smirk on his face that just didn't want to leave. He had enjoyed his date with Rina, and was looking forward to seeing her again at the ball. They had traded information so that they could keep in touch. Since the ball was going to be a costumed event, Rin figured that wanting to share a theme with Rina was a perfectly valid reason to call her in a few days. He knew that they would just be hanging out together, at best. She liked to be chased, because she liked the attention. Rin knew if he wasn't careful, Rina was the kind of girl that have fun leading him on, but never giving him more than just the amount of satisfaction he would need to keep him chasing after her. That was all well and good for some guys, but Rin wanted a girl he could catch and hold on to.
For Tsukune leaving the game center was a relief. That first girl that had recognized him had called her friends. Kurumu's growing popularity, and his connection with her, had made him enough of a celebrity for nearly a dozen teen age girls to get excited over meeting him. Tsukune was pestered for autographs and pictures enough times that he had started to consider investing in a disguise, or at least a new riding jacket.
The trip back would have Tsukune home in time for supper with his family. One more night to relax before he turned his attention to his responsibilities. Once Rin was seated behind him, Tsukune started Hiru on their way.
"Hey Tsukune?" Rin yelled over the wind noise.
"What?" Tsukune called back.
"Could we take the long way home?" Rin asked hopefully.
"No," Tsukune said with a smirk.
"Crap..."
XxxxxxxX
Kurumu was ready for her day to end. She had been working hard all day, but had actually done nothing productive. Studio time and meetings had all been about building her up to help her get new contracts. What her manager was doing was getting Kurumu a crash course on studio operations, and stage acting. Ms. Mori knew that Kurumu had gotten lucky in the beginning, but did not want to leave everything to luck. She explained to her client that the hard work now was an investment. Kurumu did not like feeling like she was wasting time, but she understood that she was working for a long term career, and that it would take sacrifices. She just wished that it wasn't time with Tsukune that she had to give up.
Kurumu was ready for her work day to be over. She had muscles in her back that needed to relax, and a hot bath sounded like just the way to do it. Unfortunately her work wasn't quite done with her. Kurumu was just getting home when her work cell phone went of.
"Hello," Kurumu answered her phone, trying to sound sweeter than she was feeling at the moment.
"Kurumu," Mori Nori said over the phone. "I have some news that's a little troubling."
"What is it?" Kurumu asked, hoping she didn't sound like she was growling.
"It's that friend of yours," Ms. Mori said. "He was seen out in public today..."
"Yes, Tsukune doesn't live in a cage," Kurumu said.
"Well some of your fans apparently saw him," Ms. Mori said. "And they decided to take some pictures with him and put them on the internet. These same fans were posting comments about how he admits to being in a relationship with you. I've told you before that it is better for your career to make sure you are unattached."
"Nori," Kurumu said in a firm tone. "These things you found on the internet, do they have people talking about me?"
"Yes. That's what I'm trying..." Nori tried to talk.
"So I am getting attention," Kurumu said stubbornly. "That should be a good thing."
"It is for the moment," Nori said in a tight voice. "But you can't..."
"But I can't let my career hurt my relationship with Tsukune," Kurumu said in a firm voice. "I told you that before. If it is a choice between my career and Tsukune, I'll go to work in a maid cafe before I give up the man I love."
"You..." Nori sputtered. "He... You.. I..." There was a pause, and then a long sigh. "Kurumu, just please tell your boyfriend to be careful."
"I will," Kurumu promised. "And thank you for calling."
"Good nigh..."
Kurumu hung up the phone. She wanted to strangle someone. The frustrations of the day just kept digging at her. She had to force herself to stay calm and think about her future goals. It wasn't until she was soaking in the bath that she actually started to relax.
XxxxxxxX
Tsukune was almost ready to go to bed. He was relaxing in his room with Moka and Ruby where they had been discussing their plans for the next couple of days. Ruby was sitting by the open door, where she could keep watch in case Tsukune's mother decided to try to spy on them. She was also there to give Kasumi some peace of mind that nothing improper was going on in her son's bedroom. Ruby's presence was very important, considering that at the moment Moka was enjoying a little snack. She was nibbling at Tsukune's neck with just enough fang application to make him bleed a few drops at a time. At the same time, Tsukune was enjoying the opportunity to nibble at her ear and caress the curves of her body. It was a special moment for them.
Tsukune's phone started ringing. The sudden interruption of the moment made all three of them jump. All three of them also frowned. The only reason Tsukune didn't ignore the phone all together was because the ringtone told him that it was Kurumu calling. As it was he didn't do anything about the phone, leaving it to Ruby to answer it. Ruby was just picking it up when Moka pulled away form Tsukune.
"You should answer it," Moka grumbled. "I'm sure it must be important for her to call this late."
"Her?" Tsukune blinked.
"Please," Moka smirked. "Unless it is a real emergency, there is only one person that would be calling right now."
"Master," Ruby offered Tsukune the phone. "It's Kurumu."
"I knew it," Moka huffed.
"Thank you," Tsukune accepted the phone. "Hello?"
"Tsu-ku-nee," Kurumu sang. "What have you been up to? Nori said you've been out making a scene."
"It's not like that," Tsukune protested. He proceeded to tell Kurumu all about the trip out with Rin, and the misadventure at the game center.
Moka was less than happy to have her time with Tsukune interrupted. She was even less happy to have it interrupted by Kurumu. She gave a frown at Tsukune as he talked on the phone and thought about just calling it a night. Moka was looking at the door, and Ruby back at her guard post there, thinking about the small, lonely guest room. She did not want to give up on her time with Tsukune, but the mood was broken. Even so, she could still smell him, and the taste of his blood was still on her tongue.
Moka decided that she was not quite done for the night after all. She turned to Tsukune where he was sitting on his bed while talking with Kurumu. It was clear that he was happy to be talking with her, even as he gave Moka an apologetic look. Moka decided to let Kurumu have her little time with Tsukune. She slipped up onto the bed thinking how Kurumu may have Tsukune's attention at the moment, and get to enjoy the sound of his voice, but Moka was going to enjoy something even better.
Moka was careful, but determined. This time she used her fangs to bite deep into Tsukune's neck. She had learned right where to find a good vein, but not one of the more critical ones, that was a part of the blood supply to the muscles of his shoulder. This time she took a drink so satisfying she felt the urge to give a little moan, and she did.
"Tsukune..." Kurumu broke the train of their conversation. "What is going on over there right now?" She had felt a twinge of something through her bond with him, and she thought she had heard a moan.
"I am with Moka right now," Tsukune answered honestly.
"And what is she doing right now?" Kurumu asked.
"She is enjoying a shack before going to bed," Tsukune answered.
"Oh?" Kurumu's voice became a little harder. "Is there a reason she needs to be doing that while I am talking with you?"
"Kurumu," Tsukune said in a slightly frustrated tone. "Would you need any reason more than you just wanted to?"
"Well no..." Kurumu admitted with a little pout.
"It's just about love and sharing," Tsukune said as he caressed Moka with his free hand.
"So if I was there, and Moka was the one on the phone," Kurumu suggested. "Then you would let me do something I wanted to, wouldn't you?"
"Ahh, sure," Tsukune said. "Within reason," He added.
"I'm going to remember..." Kurumu started to say.
"Master," Ruby gave a hiss of warning.
"Tsukune..." Kasumi called out an instant later.
Tsukune gave sigh.
"What?" Kurumu demanded.
"My mother," Tsukune explained as Moka moved away from him. "I love you, but I have to go."
"Alright," Kurumu gave a little pout. "But call me soon."
"I will," Tsukune promised. "Good night."
"G'night," Kurumu replied and hung up.
"Tsukune," Kasumi said as she reached the open door to his bedroom. "If you don't have any plans for tomorrow..."
"Tomorrow I'll be helping Moka and Ruby," Tsukune said quickly.
"What?" Kasumi asked, seeing her own plans falling apart.
"I have to go back to work soon," Tsukune said. "So tomorrow I am going to help Moka and Ruby move in to their new place. Ruby gets a room because she will be the on site manager, and of course Moka is going to have a place of her own."
"Oh..." Kasumi said, feeling disappointed. Her girls were moving out already. She thought about it for a moment then turned to Ruby. "But I thought you needed to stay close to Tsukune. How is that going to work if you are both working in different places?"
"I will still be close to Tsukune part of the time," Ruby said.
"My police department provides a place for me to live," Tsukune explained. "But it is too far to commute to school all the time. So I will be living part of the time near work, and part of the time I will be near my university. The building Ruby will be managing is close enough for commuting to school, so that is where I will be staying when not at work."
"But won't that be expensive dear?" Kasumi asked. "Renting a room by yourself?"
"The owner and the tenants like the idea of having a police officer in the building," Ruby said quickly. "So Tsukune will be getting a good deal."
"Oh..." Kasumi said. "I see..."
"Don't worry mother," Tsukune told her with a smile. "I will still be able to visit once in a while, and I am sure Ruby will be able to get some days off as well."
"Really?" Tsukune's mother brightened at the though of still getting to see them. "Well, I guess it will all be fine then."
"Tsukune," Moka said, standing up from where she had put herself safely away from him when his mother had approached. "I should get to bed."
"I understand," Tsukune stood up from the bed and held his arms open to her.
Kasumi wondered if her presence put a damper on the couple. The came together for a hug that looked very tender, and then shared a chaste little kiss. They paused then, looking into each others eyes and shared a smile that carried a lot of feelings.
"Good night," Tsukune said in a near whisper.
"Good night," Moka said in turn.
"Oh.." Kasumi felt tears coming to her eyes as she watched the sweet scene play out. "Sleep well," She said and turned to hurry out of the room. Her son and Moka were just too perfect for each other. Kasumi sniffed as she went down the stairs, wishing she could have recorded the moment.