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 223
A good time was had by all. Mizore didn't have anything she had to hurry home for. Kurumu had made sure her schedule was clear so she would have time to get ready for and attend the ball with Tsukune. Moka was enjoying the opportunity to talk with her friends. Inari and Tsukune had the night free, and Ruby, Tsukune's loyal servant, was there with his every need and convenience, receiving his smiles and affectionate pats in return.
Supper was a casual affair. Kurumu shared stories about her job. Inari made sure everybody knew Tsukune had locked up a pair of teachers, including who and why. Tsukune tried to deflect attention from himself by talking about Mizore's house and her creativity in putting it together. Mizore blushed under his complements, but smiled with pride at the same time.
"I am having a good time with you all," Tsukune said about half way through the meal. "But I think I need to invite someone else to join us." He turned to Moka. "Is that alright with you?"
"What?" Kurumu questioned.
"If that's what you want," Moka said with a tiny hint of a pout.
"Tsukune," Kurumu protested. "Why do you have to include her?"
"I don't understand," Inari said.
"Thank you for understanding," Tsukune said to Moka. He reached out and removed the rosario seal.
"Damn," Kurumu muttered.
"Tsukune..." The unsealed Moka purred. "How thoughtful of you." She turned to the others. "It is good to see you all again," She said with a polite smile and a nod.
Inari was stunned. She had never seen Tsukune remove Moka's seal so casually before. The pressure of the unsealed vampire's youki was intimidating.
"Mizore," Moka said to the snow woman. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Mizore replied.
Kurumu pouted for a moment. She knew that she was in competition with Moka for Tsukune's attention. But the fact that their were two Moka's just made everything that much more frustrating.
"Kurumu," Moka turned to the succubus. "Tsukune has told me that your work has been going well for you."
"It has," Kurumu replied politely. "It keeps me busy, but I am building a career that will be something to be proud of in the future."
"Good for you," Moka smiled. "I know Tsukune is proud of you."
"Really?" Kurumu blinked. She knew Tsukune was proud of what she was doing, but was surprised that Moka mention it.
"Of course," Moka said. "Remember, Tsukune tells me everything. I know how important you are to him, and how much he wants you to be happy. And of course anybody that makes my Tsukune happy should be recognized."
"Thank you," Kurumu said.
"Tsukune," Moka said to him. "You should have Kurumu cook for you while she is visiting. I know she will enjoy the opportunity."
"You're right," Tsukune agreed.
"Really?" Kurumu questioned.
"Please," Moka replied. "I have no problem admitting that you are a better cook than I am." She smirked. "Let us face it, I have never had much of an interest in learning such skills before meeting Tsukune, and for the most part, my other self takes care of such things for us."
Tsukune recognized what Inner Moka was doing. She was being polite and kind with a political focus. Kurumu was the better cook of the two. By admitting it, and praising the other woman, Moka was appearing humble, but at the same time she was pointing out that she had no need to do such common and mundane things. Moka was playing the gracious lady as a way of demonstrating her position above the others. While Tsukune didn't think Moka needed to do such things, he understood why she did it, and was glad that she was using such a gentle approach.
As for Moka, she knew the effect she had on the others. Without Tsukune around they could all be friends, but with him present, her desire for him, and their rivalry, made things less than comfortable. Before the situation could become strained, because she did not want Tsukune to ever have a reason to be unhappy about removing the rosario, Moka restored the seal. Before she returned to her resting state however, she made sure to enjoy Tsukune's company over dinner, and some of his blood for dessert.
XxxxX
"Tsukune," Kurumu asked as they were relaxing together after supper. "Have you decided on what you will be wearing to the masquerade ball?"
That question set things into motion. Tsukune had still been thinking about shrugging his shoulders and dismissing the question, but then he noticed the way everybody seemed to be holding their breath in anticipation of his answer.
"I really have not made a final decision," Tsukune said carefully. "I am waiting to see what Ruby had put together first, and then hear what the rest of you had to say."
"Well?" Moka questioned as she turned to Ruby. "I am sure we would all like to see what Ruby put together so far."
"I guess now would be a good time," Tsukune went along with the moment. "Ruby," He turned to her. "Are you ready to show us what you have made?"
"It would be my pleasure, Master," Ruby said with a smile and a bow.
XxxxxX
Ruby sent Me Midori to Tsukune's bedroom with the costume she had made for him. She took the rest of group down to Moka's apartment, with Me Kurai helping her, she brought along the costumes she had put together for them as well.
Tsukune knew that Ruby was in her element. Costumes were something she loved working on. For the next hour, at least, Ruby was going to get to be the one in charge as she shared her hobby with the others.
Tsukune's costume was part military uniform and partially a suit of armor. The jacket was black silk that flared below the waist and went out went down to Tsukune's mid thighs. Onto the jacket were overlapping armor segments that had been lacquered red. The armor covered the breast, collar, shoulders, and upper arms. The black trousers, also silk, had overlapping bands of lacquered armor that protected the thighs and hips, and tucked into the red leather boots that rose up over Tsukune's calves. For a mask, Ruby had crafted a helmet that was close fitting over the crown and sides of Tsukune's face but flared out in the back to cover his neck and overlapped the high collar armor of the jacket. Tsukune's eyes and nose were hidden behind a tinted visor.
Tsukune considered the costume, standing in front of a mirror, turning to check the details carefully. Left to himself, he would have gone with a basic black suit and tie and a black mask. But after all the work Ruby had put in on the costumes, he was willing to at least give it a try. It looked a little like a formal uniform mixed with a samurai's armor, with the visor fitted helmet giving it an anime or action sentai look.
Once he was dressed, Tsukune made his way to his office to read and wait. He knew that his friends were going to take considerably more time to get dressed than he did, so he sent Midori to let them know he was ready, and to help them out. Tsukune knew he would be waiting so he sat down at his desk with a pair of books and some notes to pass the time.
XxxX
When Tsukune modeled the costume for the others he couldn't help but smirk with amusement. As he took in the others costumes, he remembered a casual conversation from back in December. Moka was dressed in a slinky black dress that was slit up along the sides. Over the dress she had a polished golden breastplate with matching shin guards mounted to her thigh-high, black boots. Her mask was attached to a golden crown. The crown was decorated with a small silver cross that was a match for the rosario that hung over the breastplate. Kurumu's outfit was a black silk mini dress, and black boots, with overlapping sections of leather that covered her shoulders, front, back, and shins. The top piece of each set of overlapping section of armor was heart-shaped, with the lower pieces making a run of chevrons. Her breastplate was fitted to the curves of her figure to present an impressive heart. The heart on her back, at the base of her neck, was much smaller, with the row of pieces running down her spine, and even lower, making a tail that almost dragged on the ground. For a mask she had a close fitting helmet with a heart-shaped cutout, the top half of which was covered with a pink tinted visor that hid her eyes.
Mizore's costume continued the theme. Her white yukata had leather armor segments over the torso and shoulders, with matching shin guards over white, thigh-high stockings. The armor segments were lacquered white with black trim. Instead of wearing a helmet, she had a black mask that covered her upper face, and a deep, white hood with a black lining that covered her head. With the hood up and the mask on, it look like Mizore's face was hidden in shadows.
Inari finished out the set. Her costume was black on black. She had on a black body suit with black boots and a black, high collared jacket. The black leather segments were elongated chevrons on her chest, upper arms, and shins. For a mask, her visor equipped helmet had a cutout for her face using the same elongated chevron shape.
"Do you approve, Master?" Ruby asked from behind him.
"Yes," Tsukune nodded. "You did very good work, Ruby."
"I love it," Kurumu cheered.
"But I don't think super sentai magical rangers would be a good choice for a formal ball," Tsukune said. He turned to ruby and gave her a pained smile.
"Awwww," Ruby pouted.
"Tsukune has a point," Moka said. "But..."
Moka pursed her lips and tapped her chin. As she looked at the others, mostly at Tsukune, it was clear that she was thinking hard on something. A small smile started to touch the corners of her mouth.
"Tsukune," Moka said at last. "Could I borrow Ruby for a little while?"
"I don't mind," Tsukune said.
"Thank you," Moka said before turning to the others. "Tsukune, you can go ahead and put on something comfortable." Moka took charge. "We're going to be busy for a while.
XxxxxX
It took a few days, but the final costumes were decided upon and put together. During that time Tsukune and Inari had to go to work. Tsukune was glad that their little police department was so over staffed, and a little miss managed. It gave him time to have an enjoyable life away from work.
During their time on duty, Tsukune and Inari were careful to stay away from the school. They didn't want to advertise their presence, or distract their friends from studying. Tsukune knew that it would just be a mater of time before he would have to go to the school for some reason anyway. He didn't want to encourage the Board Chairman to dump some problem in his lap if it could be avoided.
Meanwhile Moka, Ruby, and the others were putting in work on their costumes for the ball. Inari had been forced to let Ruby take care of her costume while she was at work with Tsukune. While she was glad to have her time with her captain, she hoped that Ruby would make the changes they had talked about. While she was feeling some stress over the costume question, she did not let that distract her from more important things.
"Tsukune," Inari said at the end of the day. The koban was locked up and they were in the bunk room. The lights were already turned down. Tsukune and Inari were dressed for bed. She was in her nightshirt and panties, and he was in a tee shirt and sweat pants. Tsukune had paused in the act of going to bed when Inari said his name "I've been thinking..."
"Uh oh," Tsukune gave her a smirk. He recognized her tone of voice.
"I'm being serious," Inari said.
"I know," Tsukune replied as he climbed into the top bunk. "That's why I'm worried."
"Are you going to listen to what I have to say?" Inari questioned.
"Of course I am," Tsukune said, rolling on to his back. "I am sure what you have to say will be important and that I need to pay careful attention."
"Really," Inari said with her face bright. She rested her hands on the top bunk and gave Tsukune a smile.
"Of course," Tsukune went on. "Because you are probably about to suggest something that will get me in trouble if I'm not careful."
"Tsukune..." Inari protested. She gave a jump pulled up on the top bunk. At the same time she shifted her shape into something that was mostly fox, but still human enough to be able to hold on to things and have a conversation. The new form was also far smaller than her normal human appearance. The only reason her nightshirt didn't fall off of her smaller body was because her arms were still through the sleeves.
Inari almost fell. When her hind legs came up they tangled for a moment with her nightshirt. As her hind feet found traction on the edge of the bunk, she bounded forward, leaving her clothes behind all together.
"Hey!" Tsukune protested when Inari landed on his stomach.
"Hey yourself," Inari yipped back at him. "I wanted to talk to you, and you started teasing me."
"Alright," Tsukune held up his hands for a moment. "You're right. I shouldn't assume that whenever one of the women in my life starts a conversation with 'I've been thinking,' that it is going to lead into some relationship issue."
Inari's semi-fox face twisted up as she tried to give Tsukune a dirty look. Of course she wanted to talk to him about their relationship, or at least some small parts of it. It wasn't fair that he picked up in her intentions so fast when he was usually so slow to notice what a woman wanted.
"As I was saying," Inari said after taking a moment to compose her thoughts. "I have been thinking. I've been thinking about how you've seen me without any clothes."
"And you saw me naked too," Tsukune pointed out.
"Only once," Inari said. "And I wasn't really thinking clearly at the time so I didn't get to enjoy it."
"That was not my fault," Tsukune defended himself.
"No," Inari agreed. "But you saw me twice, but I only saw you once."
"When?" Tsukune questioned.
"The night I fell in the changing room and you put me in bed," Inari reminded him.
"That was an emergency," Tsukune argued. "I only looked enough to make sure you were not bleeding or anything. I wasn't trying to look at your body."
"But you still saw it," Inari insisted. "So you still owe me a look at you."
"You'll just have to wait until I get knocked out and have to take care of me," Tsukune put his hands behind his head.
"That's easy," Inari said, shifting into larger form. She was in a midway form in size as well as shape. Her body was human enough to have working hands and to start taking on some feminine curves, while still looking mostly like a fox. "I can just knock you out and then do whatever I want to you."
"But you won't," Tsukune said confidently. Not only was he her superior officer, and her sworn lord, but she was, by her own admission, in love with him.
"You're right," Inari said as she moved to lay next to him. "But I figure I can tease you until I feel we're even." She cuddled up to Tsukune as if she planned to sleep next to him. She was feeling tense, knowing that it would not be very long before Tsukune would order her to her own bunk.
"Well now that I know what your plan is," Tsukune said. "I know what I can do about it."
"What is that?" Inari asked.
"Good night," Tsukune said as he rolled over.
Inari was shocked. Tsukune had not protested her declared intention. He had not even protested her place in the bed next to him. Instead of doing anything she could have expected, Tsuknue simply rolled on to his side, facing her, and put an arm over her.
"You're not seriously going to go to sleep like this are you?" Inari asked with her face pressed against Tsukune's chest.
"Why not?" Tsukune answered. "It will take less effort than arguing or bargaining with you, and I am used to sleeping with someone, so I can be comfortable like this. If you're uncomfortable, you don't have to sleep there."
"Good night, Tsukune," Inari said in a near growl.
Inari fumed quietly as Tsukune fell asleep beside her. Tsukune was throwing her plan back in her face. He wasn't going to be bothered or feel teased by her trying to cuddle up with him. What Tsukune was going to do was act if everything was normal, leaving her to feel bothered and worked up. While she was excited and happy to be beside Tsukune, one step closer to sleeping with him, Inari could not help but be angry that Tsukune was able to see through her so well that he could torment her so effectively, and not even show any sign on enjoying it. Inari's frustration only lasted until sleep claimed her while she wasn't looking. After that she enjoyed a night of pleasant dreams and a sense of security as she slept in Tsukune's arms.
XxXxXxXxX
The improved costume met with Tsukune's approval. The anime factor of the outfit had been reduced, so he didn't feel silly wearing it. In place of the helmet, Tsukune was provided a mask that was made out of a long strip of black silk that had been quilted to keep it's shape over his upper face and forehead. It tied at the back of his head and had long tails that reach to his mid back. The rest of his costume was left unchanged by popular consensus. He really didn't dislike it, so he agreed to wear it for the ball.
The costumes worn by the others, Tsukune decided, fit them much better. Moka was in a long evening gown of shiny black satin with a wrap that used yards of material draped from her shoulders and arms. Her mask was black with red trim and covered her upper face, forehead, and half her head. It was made of lace and had large flaring side pieces. In the mask and costume, Moka had a small resemblance of ether a bat or some kind of dark angel.
Kurumu's outfit was a strange reflection of Tsukune's She had on pink blouse with a long black skirt that hung down to her mid calf. She had on red boots under her skirt. Over the rest she wore a tailed coat with wide cuffs. It was black with red trim. The overcoat was snug across her shoulders and down to her waist. It flared out below the waist, and the front of the coat was left open. Her mask appeared to be red leather. It covered her upper face before fanning out on both sides of her head in a set of bat-like wings a little bigger than Tsukune's hands. Tsukune could tell by the way the mask fit her that it was one of her strange armor bands that she usually wore around her upper arms.
Mizore's costume was a shock to see her in. She had on a long dress in shades of red, that was covered with little crystal beads. Her mask of red lace rose up, crown-like. When she moved it was almost as if she was on fire. It was a stunning look, and truly a costume fit for her, because she may not show it, but Mizore certainly had a lot of passion in her heart.
Inari had tried to keep much of her first costume. She had the same jacket and boots, but now she had a white blouse and a black, knee-length skirt. Attached to the skirt was a layer of two-centimeter wide strips that had probably been cheap belts in the beginning. The strips made the skirt into a kind of armor and hung down to her calves. Her mask was a white copy of Tsukune's. The others frowned at her insistence of mimicking Tsukune's costume, but for his sake they refrained from making a scene.
Ruby's own costume was an interesting creation. She had a snug blouse and full skirts, all made of black velvet. Over that she had a black, satin, over the bust corset. From the sleeves of the blouse hung black feathers. Her hair was tied back in a hundred small braids that were decorated with back beads and more feathers. Her mask was a black and silver carnival mask with a fan of black plumage that covered her forehead.
"Wow," Tsukune said when his friends paraded their costumes for him to see. "Ahhh..."
"Do you approve?" Moka asked with a crooked smile.
"Yeah," Tsukune nodded.
"But mine's your favorite, right?" Kurumu said with a grin and a cocked-hip pose.
"No," Mizore answered. She approached Tsukune with a sway to her hips that would make most men's mouths go dry. "You are just wearing your clothes. The point of wearing a costume is to be somebody different." She reached Tsukune and put on hand behind his neck, and slipped the other under his jacket to feel his chest.
"Or it is about being free to be yourself," Moka pointed out. "Using a physical mask in place of the one you wear in front of the world the rest of the time."
"Then shouldn't I wear something a little less..." Tsukune gestured to his out outfit. He had been filling the role of a leader and a fighter, and his costume seemed to be an expression of that.
The young women looked to each other and shared a collection of looks. While Tsukune's modesty was sincere, what they were thinking about was of him wearing less. It was Ruby that Answered his concern.
"It is like what Moka said," Ruby said. "Using a costume mask in to free you from your public face. You lead, and you fight, because you must. But if you were to pretend that you like being in control, pretend that you like having power, instead of always being the hero everybody else needs you to be, you can pretend to be the dark vigilante that is not afraid of hurting others." Ruby moved to Tsukune and knelt down, hugging his thigh and looking up at him. "You can even be the bad-guy for once, and enjoy your power."
"Ehhh..." Tsukune blinked.
"That's enough of that," Kurumu protested. She stomped over and reached for Mizore and Ruby.
"Hold it!" Tsukune spoke up, using his commanding voice.
"Ep..." Kurumu froze, surprised.
"Everybody has worked very hard on these outfits," Tsukune said clearly. "There is no reason to loose control of ourselves and ruin them."
"Tsukune has a good point," Moka said as she removed her mask. "Why don't we take them off and hang them up safely."
"Ruby," Tsukune instructed. "Go ahead and get changed. Mirori and Kurai can help the others."
"Yes Master," Ruby replied as she stood up.
"We will be back shortly," Moka said, shooting Tsukune a warm smile.
While Moka lead a small parade back to her own apartment, Ruby retreated to her room to change. Tsukune went to his own bedroom to change his clothes, pulling off his mask as he went. He was peeling off his jacket as he entered the master bedroom.
"Let me help you," Inari spoke up as she reached for the collar of Tsukune's armored jacket.
"Eehhh?" Tsukune almost jumped out of his jacket. Inari caught hold of it at the last moment to keep it from falling to the floor. Tsukune was a meter away from her when he turned around. "Inari what are you doing?"
"I'm helping you," Inair smirked. "You sent the twins to help the others, and Ruby is changing, so that left me to help you change." She took the jacket and hung it up on the temporary rack that Ruby had set up.
"I can get undressed by myself," Tsukune complained.
"Of course you can," Inari worked off her own jacket and hung it off of the rack. "But you are in a position of authority. You don't need to think just about what you can do, but what you should do. Now sit on the bed and I will help you with your boots."
Tsukune quickly considered his options. Protesting would likely hurt her feelings, but could be playing into her hands if she wanted to act hurt because he didn't trust her. Also, not going along with Inari could result in some pushing and tugging, risking damage to their outfits for the masquerade. Grumbling to himself, Tsukune sat on the bed and lifted a booted foot.
Inari resisted the urge to smile, because it might just spoil the moment if Tsukune caught her. She pulled off his boots and set them by the rack. She put hers beside him.
"Now for the pants," Inair instructed.
"No," Tsukune said.
"You're not going to leave them on are you?" Inari demanded.
"No," Tsukune said with a small shake of his head. "But the way things are going, once I take my pants off, you will take your skirt off."
"You have underwear on don't you?" Inari countered. "It's not like I will be seeing anything I haven't before."
"Inari," Tsukune said in a firm voice. "I have no doubts about your courage..."
"Awww," Inari smiled.
"...But do you really want to be caught in your underwear by Moka and the others," Tsukune went on. "And then try to explain to them that you were just helping me?"
"Ahhh," Inari paused.
"Right," Tsukune said as he went to his closet. "I'll finish changing in the bathroom. Why don't you go put on your regular clothes, and we'll all meet up in a few minutes."
"But..." Inari tried to argue as Tsukune pulled a change of clothes from his closet. "I can still...
"I will see you in a little while," Tsukune said firmly.
"Yes sir," Inari admitted defeat. She gathered up her jacket and boots and retreated from the bedroom.