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 231

The scene on the late night news had viewers glued to their televisions. It was set in the lobby of a respected hotel and showed a large group of young men and women in fancy, but often damaged or even ruined outfits. Police and SDF personnel were assisting the party goers, offering refreshments, blankets, and wet towels. Couples were hugging each other for support. Some young women were holding on to each other, crying. The news cameras tried to find the most powerful images to show the viewers.

An officer in a suit, with his identification hanging around his neck, was in charge of the scene. He kept telling the reporters that were still arriving that he would make a statement soon. A young man using a damaged and stained table leg as a cane stood with a cute girl. He was looking a little shaken up, but was smiling. The girl beside him kept smiling at him. An SDF trooper was caught on camera getting an autograph from none other than the Sweetheart Chef, who was standing with a group of female friends. One couple, in the remains of matching costumes, had police identifications showing as they ushered party goers out of the ballroom, but refused to let anybody else in.

All over Japan people watched the news. Phone lines and cell towers were running hot as people called each other. Many of the young men and women were on their phones to talk with their families. Viewers called friends and families for support as they watched the drama on their screens. Aono Kasumi sat up with her husband watching the news with tears in her eyes. She had tried to call her son, but he was too busy to answer.

The reporters on the scene and the commentators back in the studios speculated about every detail. Some of the party goers were still wearing their masks. Others simply shielded their faces from the cameras when they could be bothered to make the effort. Blood stained clothing was seen everywhere. One girl, dressed the part, kept making action hero poses and smiling, in spite of being splattered drying blood. When the young police officer stepped away form the ballroom doors and over to where the Sweetheart Chef stood with friends, it was noticed.

"Looks like somebody else just has to get an autograph," A studio commentator quipped.

"Oh my," Said another when the up and coming idol hurried to embrace the young man. What was said between the two was unknown, but it was clear that he had asked something of her and she had agreed. When they shared a quick hug, camera flashes lit up the lobby like lightning.

"Could he be the Sweetheart Chef's mysterious sweetheart?" Someone asked into a microphone. "Or is she showing support to a hard working public servant?"

The cameras lingered on the young star as the young police officer returned to the ballroom doors. They didn't see the frown his partner gave him. The Sweetheart Chef pulled out a cellphone of her own to make a call.

Kasumi almost jumped out of her skin when the phone rang. Kyouko was supposed to be on her way over, and Kasumi had already talked to most of her friends and told them she was waiting to hear from Tsukune. It didn't really mater who was calling, she answered it so she could quickly clear the line for when Tsukune would be free.

"Moshi moshi..." Kasumi said quickly.

"Mrs. Aono," Kurumu said from the other end. "This is Kurumu." At the same time she gave a small wave to the camera. "Tsukune wanted me to call you and let you know that he is alright, and that we are all safe."

"Oh thank goodness," Kasumi almost cried. "Oh thank you for calling. I'm glad everybody is alright. What's going on? What's happened?"

"They are about to make an announcement," Kurumu answered. "I can't really talk right now."

"Kurumu?" Kasumi protested.

"Just a moment," Kurumu said. She passed the phone over to Moka.

"Mother," Moka said in a careful tone. "Please do not be worried."

"Oh Moka darling," Kasumi gushed. "Your dress is ruined. What on earth happened over there?"

"It is not at bad as it looks," Moka said. "We are all fine now."

"What aren't you telling me?" Kasumi demanded.

"Tsukune will explain everything to you," Moka said. "But I wanted to let you know that we are watching out for him."

"Oh Thank you," Kasumi was starting to cry with relief. On the television she could see the girls she cared so much for argue for a moment, ending with Kurumu taking the phone back.

"Mrs. Aono..." Kurumu began.

"Call me mother," Kasumi insisted.

"Mother," Kurumu started again. "We're all fine. We will be coming for a visit soon, but I have to make another call now."

"Oh my girls... Take care," Kasumi cried as she hung up the phone.

XxxX

The Image on the screens showed a closeup of the middle aged officer in charge of the scene. The caption along the bottom identified him as Lieutenant Tanaka of the Imperial Guard, of the National Police Agency. The reporters quieted as he raised his hands, waiting for him to give a statement.

"Thank you for waiting patiently for us to get the situation under control before making any statements," Lieutenant Tanaka said. "Let me assure you that the unfortunate event that has happened here tonight is under control and the investigation will be thorough."

"I will now explain what has happened here tonight," Lieutenant Tanaka continued. "This evening, a social even was being held by recent graduates from Masako Shoken Girls Academy, and their friends from other schools of similar prestige. You may recall that there had been reports of a disturbance at the academy's student festival just two months ago. That incident had been an attempted attack my an extremest group of racists. Unfortunately, those involved two months ago had been prepared to die when faced with their own arrest so no definite identification of their organization could be made."

"Tonight, members of that same extremest group once more tried to attack the daughters of some of Japan's successful and prominent families," Lieutenant Tanaka held the media's full attention. "The National Police was aware of the possibility of some kind of action ever since the previous attempt had failed. To this end, we had some younger police offers attending the gathering undercover, while myself and other resources were close at hand."

"Unfortunately, we had not anticipated the amount of effort the extremists were willing to commit to tonight's attack," Lieutenant Tanaka had to pause for a moment as excited chatter rose up. When it died down again, he continued. "We did not want to over react based on speculation that had very little to support it. It was decided to let the event be held with minimal precautions because over reacting, giving in to fear without substantial evidence, would be giving the racists exactly what they wanted. It would be letting them rule us through intimidation, and that we will not allow."

The strength of that statement brought another excited wave of chatter. Reporters tried to ask questions, or talked into microphones, ether to comment or to answer questions from their studios. It took a little while for things to quiet down.

"I admit, in our desire to not give in to fear, that we were nearly undone," Lieutenant Tanaka continued. "The extremists presence was far larger than we could have anticipated. However, even though we were not prepared as well as we had hoped to be, these people, who were acting out of hate, failed to achieve their goals tonight."

"The defeat of evil men came at the hands of the very people they intended to make their victims," Lieutenant Tanaka gave the cameras a proud smile. "When they found themselves in danger, these young men and women, proud sons and daughters of Japan, did not panic. They did not give in to fear."

"On the contrary," The lieutenant paused briefly for effect. "These young men and women stood up to the ones that had wanted to hurt them, who had wanted to hurt Japan and makes us afraid."

"What happened here tonight," Lieutenant Tanaka said with a gesture to his right. "Is evil men were defeated by these brave young men and women. Wearing masks to try to frighten their victims, they tried to hurt innocent people. In response, young men and women removed their own masks of youth and playfulness to reveal strength, maturity, and courage. Our lead undercover officer attempted to apprehend the extremists' leader. His partner joined with others in protecting their fellows and friends."

The image shown on television screens varied. Some remained on the lieutenant. Others panned over to where several of the party goers stood together. Some zoomed out to take in both, or used a split screen for the same effect.

The group being shown had taken the time to be ready to be on camera. Tsukune and Inari had cleaned up, and pulled their masks on. Kurumu was leaning on Tsukune's arm, holding a frying pan she had borrowed from the hotel kitchen. Jessie, Rin, and Nagi stood together, looking serious, and even ready for another fight. Kota and Emmy were holding hands calmly. Hana, also wearing her mask, struck another hero pose and waved. The rest were gathered together behind the first row. Not everybody was ready to have their faces all over the media. Kokoa would have liked to stand out front, but her father had reminded her that too much recognition, for someone that was going to be around for a long time, could be a bad thing.

"Tonight," Lieutenant Tanaka resumed, after giving the cameras a chance to show the designated 'heroes' of the night. "Evil men tried to threaten the people of Japan. Tonight, the young people of Japan stopped them. We will not let those that hate us, who hate our culture and our way of life, have a hold over us. Japan is not a nation to give in to fear."

Lieutenant Tanaka ended his speech and moved back from the microphones and cameras. The long winded speech had been used as a distraction as well as to help satisfy the curiosity of the press. While the press had been focused on him, as he planted key words over and over again, police and SDF personnel had been doing a rush cleanup of the ball room. It would work up the press if they caught site of body bags being taken away, but it would have started a panic if they were given a chance to see some of the inhuman bodies.

The next part of the plan was going to be up to the designated 'heroes' of the night. They had been told what to say, and encouraged on how to say it. Aono himself had been the one to put the cover story together.

"I have been asked not to say anything because the investigation is still being done," Was the first thing everybody was to say. It was not important that they got the official answers right word for word, but that they all stuck to the same core script. "I just knew I had to stay calm and do what was right," was another scripted line. "I was really scared, but my friends were depending on me," was a line Tanaka liked. It let people know that it was alright to be scared in a dangerous situation, as long as they did not panic. Beyond the core script, everybody was encouraged to talk about their plans for the future. School, careers, marriage, or whatever else, they were to make it clear that the danger was over an that life would go on.

Lieutenant Tanaka was afraid that the cover story would fall apart in hours at most. Aono Tsukune was more confident that it would hold for a few days. If he was right, Ito reasoned, it would be possible to keep people from ever learning the whole truth. Government paid psychologists were going to be sworn to secrecy and sent on house calls for as long as it took to help some of these young men and women cope with what they had just been through.

Tanaka Ito knew he still had two major tasks ahead of him. The easier of the two was going to be getting the formal report together and turning it in, without his superiors decided that his brain had snapped and retire him. He looked forward to dealing with his work about as much as he would look forward to passing a kidney stone. On the other hand, waiting somewhere over the horizon, Ito knew that he would have to face the harder task. He was going to have to figure out how his family was going to deal Ken and Iris dating.

XxxxXxxxX

"I wish you would let me stay with you," Moka complained as she stood close with Tsukune.

"I know," Tsukune replied with his voice still tense. "But I have to stay to help out, and I don't know how long it will take."

"We almost lost you tonight," Moka said. "We are afraid that we still might."

"I understand," Tsukune said. "I don't understand everything that has happened to me, that is still happening to me, but unless I want to just give up and run away, I have to do this."

"We understand," Moka gave a heavy sigh. "I don't have to like it though." She had out the rosario back on, and it seemed to be limiting her youki, but she was still alternating between singular and plural pronouns as her two sides waxed and waned.

Tsukune had similar conversations with Mizore and Kurumu. None of them wanted to leave without him. He wished that he didn't have to stay, but duty demanded it of him. Of course Moka and the others were less than happy that Inari was going to get to stay with Tsukune, because she was a police officer also. They took a few moment with her to rind her to look after Tsukune, and to let them know if he had any problems at all.

XxxxxxXxxxxX

The work lasted hours. The investigation would go on for weeks or even months. The covers that the members of Fairy Tail had used would have to be back tracked. For that night however, it was all about asking questions over and over again. Was anything said that could be used to track down more of Fairy Tail? Were there any signs that investigators could watch for? The Self Defense Force packed it in first. They had been called out to supply extra manpower. With the action over they were free to stand down. The local police eventually finished up what they could do and were released as well. An unmarked care had tried to follow the Youkai Academy bus, but had returned in an hour to report failure. The officers received a lot of teasing because they had lost track of a whole bus, but Tsukune doubted it would hurt their careers.

"Alright," Lieutenant Tanaka said as the last of the police cars drove off. "Why don't we have a talk that is long over due?"

"Yeah," Ross made a reappearance. "You get to come with us, watch us drink, have a few drinks yourself if you want, but damn it, we want some answers."

"And you can't turn us down this time," Tanaka said with a smirk. "Because I got a good look at your identification Captain. So I can track you down any time I want."

"Captain?" Ross questioned.

"It's a small department," Tsukune defended. "I'm sure I would lose my rank if I ever transferred."

"No doubt," Tanaka said. "But you can worry about that later. Right now, I need a drink."

"Let's go to the club," Ross offered.

"Why not the bar here?" Ito questioned.

"Too much of a mess," Ross began. "We would have to pay for the drinks here, and you can't touch the girls."

"Two out of three," Tanaka gave a grunt. "Let's go."

"Captain?" Inari questioned.

"We'll go," Tsukune said. "I think we can trust them, and they've earned some real answers."

"Too right we have," Ross said. "Who's driving?"

XxxxxxxX

Tanaka ended up driving. He had asked an officer to take Iris home. Jessie had borrowed his father's car. Tsukukne and Inari had arrived with a group, who had already left with their ride.

The hour was late and the front bar was about to close up, but that didn't change anything. Ross had called ahead, so by the time they arrived the private club was open and ready. The four of them made their way into the back to the private lounge. The working girls of the private club were dressed in their underwear and see-through robes. At the sight of them Tsukune started laughing.

"Hey," Ross protested. "I didn't laugh at your girls."

"Sorry," Tsukune choked back his laughter. "Long night."

"Captain," Inari question. "Can I take your coat?" The working girls were already assisting the other two men, and she wasn't eager to let any of them close to Tsukune when she was there to look after him.

"Forget it," Tsukune shook his head and started pulling off his armored jacket. "We are off duty now."

"Really?" Inari perked up as she shook off her own jacket.

"Off duty," Tanaka said as he loosened his tie. "Off the clock, off the record, and off the radar."

"And off the water wagon," Ross said as he dropped into his favorite seat. "As soon as my favorite girlfriend brings me my drink."

In almost no time at all the petite black girl was handing him a full glass while sinking down into his lap. Tanaka settled down onto a couch with a sigh. The same tall, slender woman that usually served him was soon at his side.

Tsukune started for padded chair, but Inari had a different idea. She grabbed him and gave him a push towards a couch. She had her blouse half unbuttoned and was sitting beside him before he could question her intentions.

"What can I get for you?" Asked a pretty young woman with hair bleached to a light brown and in a short pixy cut.

"Two cokes," Tsukune ordered.

The first few minutes passed in relaxed silence. Drinks were savored and companionship was enjoyed. The girl with the pixy cut took up a place behind the bar. Ross snuggled with his girl a little, while Ito simple sipped at his drink and let his body unwind. Inari worked off her boots, pulled her feet up, and leaned against Tsukune. He held his glass of coke in one hand and draped the other arm over Inari's shoulders.

"So," Ross spoke up first. "Where do we begin?"

"Ask your questions," Tsukune replied. "I'll answer what I can. I don't know everything."

"Let me start with this," Tanaka said. "How long have you known about those youkai?"

"Three years," Tsukune answered. "Three years ago I met my first one."

"Where?" Ross asked.

"At school," Tsukune answered. "She was a vampire. Very pretty. The next one I... had a run-in with was an ogre. An that was my first school fight."

"How many kinds of youkai are there?" Tanaka wondered.

"I have no idea," Tsukune said. "There all kinds from legends, from all over the world. Then there are the cross breeds."

"Can they all pass for human?" Tanaka was hoping there would be some way to search them out.

"Not all of them can," Tsukune answered. "Those are the ones that hide out away from people. The ones that can hide their special abilities and natures, you would probably never know there were more than human if they didn't tell you."

"Can you tell?" Ross fired off the next question.

"Most of the time," Tsukune nodded. "If there are already a lot of youkai in the area, I would probably not notice one if he or she was trying to blend in."

"So if I were to take you with me..." Tanaka began.

"Wouldn't work," Tsukune interrupted. "Most youkai just want to be left alone to live a normal life. Pointing them out to you wouldn't help you, and could hurt them."

"How hard can it be to find them?" Ross complained. "I mean, how often are you going to actually run across one?"

"You would be surprised," Tsukune said. "After all, look how many there were tonight."

"Well there a lot less of them now," Ross chuckled. "What was the body count?"

"Forty," Tanaka answered. "But we think some might have gotten away."

"Forty," Ross repeated. "How often are you going to see that many youkai in one place?"

"Who do you think put up most of the fight tonight?" Inair retorted. "There were close to fifty youkai invited to the ball."

"No way," Ross shook his head. "I didn't see that many there, and I was looking for them."

"That's because they are good at hiding," Inari reminded him.

"Hell," Tanaka swore. "My daughter is dating one. Hell if I know what to do about it. If I try to forbid it, she's likely to find some way to talk her mother over to her side, and I'll be sleeping in my office until I give in."

"Just treat him like you would anybody else," Tsukune advised. "It's what Ken would want. Besides, I've learned that arguing with a woman who says she is in love never works."

"Is that why you are so popular with the ladies?" Ross asked.

"I have no idea," Tsukune answered.

"It's because he takes the time to get to know people," Inari said. "And treat them fairly."

"Ahhh," Ross commented.

"And when he has to, he can really kick ass," Inari added.

"I like Ken well enough," Ito said. "It's just that this is a lot to take in."

"Yes," Tsukune nodded.

"It would probably be easier if I could..." Ito shrugged. "I don't know..."

"Get to know him on neutral ground somewhere," Inair suggested.

"Maybe it's like anything else," Ross offered. "Just practice. Find some more of these youkai to talk to."

"It's not that easy," Tsukune said. "If they don't trust you, they are not going to tell you they are a youkai. And even then, you may have to offer them something."

"Like what?" Tanaka asked.

"Pretend you had a secret," Tsukune answered. "Something that could cause you a lot of trouble if it got out. What would somebody have to do before you would trust them with your secret? What would they have to offer you in exchange?"

"You have a point," Tanaka said.

"You might just have to be their friend," Tsukune continued. "And earn their trust that way. Some of the ones I've run into respect you if you can beat them in a fight."

"I don't think I want to try that rout," Tanaka shook his head.

"Try talking to the woman next to you," Tsukune offered.

"What?" The lieutenant blinked. He looked at the woman pouring his drinks and wondered why she suddenly looked nervous.

"If you've been coming here for a while," Tsukune explained. "Have you talked to her? Have you gotten to know her as a person?"

"I don't mind..." The woman said as she looked away shyly.

"I've been trying to get him to get to know her better since his first time here," Ross complained.

"Yes," Ito said with a frown. "But Aono is talking about something entirely different than your idea of getting to know someone."

"You're probably right," Ross said before draining his glass and holding it out for a refill. "But my way is more fun."

"Tsukune's way has more meaning to it," Inari said, rising up to her knees on the couch beside her captain. "Besides, would you use the same way to get to know a man?"

"Please..." Ross gave her a dirty look. "Tonight is strange enough as it is. Don't go making things weird."

"But once you do get to know the other person Tsukune's way," Inari said with a mischievous light in her eyes. "The other way might be good too." She moved then so that here knees were on ether side of Tsukune and she was on his lap.

"Inari..." Tsukune gave her a small frown.

"We're off duty," Inair smiled before she took a long drink from her glass.

Inari then bent mostly backwards in a display of agility to put her glass on the nearest table. The table was far enough away that she had to grab Tsukune's belt for support and leverage. When she was done, Inari pulled and straightened back up before settling into place. She was now chest to chest with him.

"You have a wild one there," Ross observed.

"You have no idea," Tsukune said with a sigh.

Tsukune wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her close. It was a strategic move to keep her from doing anything too playful. Inari leaned into Tsukune and made an effort to hold him as well, glad to be close to him.

"So you like the wild ones do you?" Ross' companion observed. She leaned in to give Ross a kiss and lightly scratched her fingernails down the side of her face.

"Careful now kittycat," Ross said. "We have company."

"We could leave," Tsukune offered.

"That might not be a bad idea," Tanaka nodded.

"Awwww," Ross complained. "You guys are no fun."

"I simply have a different idea of what should be considered fun," Tanaka said.

"You know what," Ross said haughty voice. "You two guys wouldn't know a good time if it bit you."

Tsukune couldn't help but laugh at that. Even Inari gave a chuckle. Tanaka gave them a questioning look.

"What?" Ross demanded.

"Getting bit doesn't always mean it's a good time," Tsukune answered.

"What would a kid like you know?" Ross huffed.

"When was the last time you were bitten?" Tsukune countered.

"I..." Ross fumbled.

"He has you there, Ross," Ito grinned.

"Speaking of getting bit," Tsukune said. "I really should get going." He concentrated for a moment and sent a summoning thought to Hiru.

"You know, Tsukune." Inari said in a sweet voice. "If want, I could bite you."

"No..." Tsukune said slowly. "I think I should save that for Moka."

"Well if you're serious about leaving," Tanaka's voice edged towards being serious again. "You still need to tell me more about youkai."

"There isn't much to tell you," Tsukune replied. "There are so many different kinds, and they are all over the place. Just like anybody else, they can be a lot alike and still be very different."

"But where could I find one?" Tanaka said. "You make it sound like I'm surrounded by them all the time, but that can't be true."

"Why not?" Tsukune asked. "I found one going to your daughter's school..."

"What?" Tanaka exclaimed, sitting up straight with his eyes going wide.

"They really are all around us,every day," Tsukune said. "You could be working or hanging out with them and never know it."

"Prove it," Ross challenged.

"How?" Tsukune asked.

"Point one out to us," Ross said. "And not one you already know or anything like that."

"Why should he?" Inari asked.

"An order from his superior," Ross answered. "You tell him Ito."

"We are off duty and off the record," Tsukune shook his head. "You want me to expose a youkai that isn't hurting anybody. That could hurt them. You want to know so bad, make an offer. What would you be willing to give a youkai to make it worth them to risk themselves to let you know that they are anything other than they appear to be?"

The two men quieted down to consider the question. Tanaka leaned back into his seat. The woman serving him gave Tsukune a speculative look.

"I probably shouldn't say this, Mr. Aono," The woman said. "I never went to high school my self, but my sister just graduated from your school."

"Oh?" Tsukune asked carefully.

"Yes," She went on. "You may know her. Her name is Himi Kiyo. Mother wrote to tell me she has a boyfriend now."

"Yes," Tsukune said. "They were both at the masquerade tonight." He gave her a friendly smile. "But they are both fine. And you can call me Tsukune."

"My name is Onna," She gave him a small bow of her head.

Tanaka watched the two talk. He had a frown on his face that grew deeper as he listened.

"So when I was in here talking about him all those times," Tanaka grumbled. "You could have told me where to find him?"

"No," Onna said. "I've never been to the school. But I did suggest that write him a letter."

"And I am glad you did," Tanaka nodded. "But still..."

"Onna," Tsukune spoke up. "Pretend this conversation was about you, or someone you knew. What would ether of these two have to give you, or your friend, in order to get you to risk exposing the big secret of being a youkai?"

"Money," Ross said.

"Besides that," Tsukune rejected without looking in the other man's direction.

"A lot of money?" Ross tried again.

"Maybe for that," Onna said. "If life was hard enough I might take the money and plan to run away with it once the secret was out."

"What if you were offered a job?" Ross asked.

"I already have one," Onna replied.

"How about a respectable job?" Tanaka countered.

"I think that any youkai you wanted to talk with," Tsukune said. "Would want to know that they would be safe. If they already have a job and a life, even if it isn't the best, why should they risk it?"

"Security," Inari spoke up. "Is somebody going to support them and look after them?"

"You mean like a mistress?" Ross asked.

"Why not?" His companion challenged. "If you have a family, you are not likely to want anybody to know you have a mistress, especially one that isn't human."

"There are a lot of stories like that," Tsukune pointed out. "As long as the men kept it a secret, they were very happy."

"I guess that makes sense," Ross nodded. "But what happens if he slips up?"

"Depends on the story," Onna answered. "The youkai usually runs away. If she has had children with her lover she usually takes them with her."

"But sometimes she kills the man for breaking his promise not to tell anybody," Inari added.

"And you don't have to really have that kind of relationship ether," Tsukune said. "Lieutenant, what would happen if you hired a woman to be your maid. You are going to trust her with being in your home, being around your family. If it got out that she was more than human, you would be embarrassed, or worse, but at the same time, you are giving the youkai security, and even, if that is what they want, a respectable job."

"But what would I get out of it?" Ross said. "Besides a mistress."

"You would get a youkai that you can trust, I would hope," Tsukune answered. "Who could help you understand youkai and the part of the world that they make up." Tsukune saw that Onna and Ross' companion were both nodding along with what he was saying. He turned his attention to the small black woman. "I'm sorry. What is your name?"

"Jenna," She answered. "Jenna Marricoso."

"Nice to meet you Jenna," Tsukune said.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Tsukune sir," Jenna replied.

"Well there you go," Tsukune turned to Tanaka. "Now you know what it would take to get to know a youkai. If you really want to know one, you are going to have to offer them something that will make them trust you."

"How would I justify a maid to my wife?" Tanaka shook his head.

"Tell her the truth," Inari suggested. "You will get more respect from her and the youkai."

"I would rather keep her as a mistress," Ross said. "Even if I tried telling my wife the truth, she'd never let another woman in the house."

"It is something to think about," Tanaka said.

"You think about it," Tsukune said. "Let me know what you decide, and maybe I can help you. However, for now, Inair and I will be going."

"We will?" Inari asked.

"You will?" Ross questioned.

"Yes," Tsukune said. "I need to check up on my friends and take care of some things."

Inari tried not to pout as she climbed from Tsukune's lap. He stood up once he was free to do so. She stomped her feet into her boots while Tsukune did a stretch. Everybody exchanged polite parting words while Tsukune and Inari put their jackets on. Ross asked Tsukune one last question before he left.

"Hey," Ross spoke up at the last moment. "How would you compare kissing a youkai girl to kissing a human girl?"

Tsukune paused and thought about that for a moment. He looked at Inari and saw she had questions in her eyes. Finally Tsukune just shrugged.

"I really cannot say," Tsukune answered. He took Inari's hand and headed for the door. "I've never kissed a human girl."