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 232

The tension in the air in Tsukune's apartment was almost thick enough to see. Moka and the others had returned from the masquerade feeling on edge. A small part of their stress came from another romantic night spoiled. Their costumes were ruined. But what was really bothering the young youkai women was he fact that Tsukune was not with them.

At first it was something they could distract themselves from, at least a little. Once they were back they finally had a chance to clean up. Mizore went with Moka, while Kurumu and Yukari remained in Tsukune's apartment. Mizore of course was uncomfortable with hot water, and Moka needed her herbal treated water. Kurumu, Yukari, and Ruby indulged in the guilty sin of using Tsukune's bathroom to wash up. With piping hot water they helped each other get cleaned up, and then shared a soak in his large and comfortable bathtub.

Once clean and freshly dressed the group came back together. Moka had chosen a set of loose pajamas. Yukari was in a long nightgown that was thin enough to be suggestive and almost revealing. Mizore was in one of her short yukatas. Kurumu was in a little babydoll teddy and a pair of light shorts that clung to her hips. Ruby completed the pajama party, wearing a tee shirt style nightgown that hung to her knees.

The Me sisters served a later supper. They were the only women present that were not emotionally invested in Tsukune, but their fate was still tied to his. Because Mizore was carrying Tsukune child, she was the one the sisters were most concerned with. They made sure that the snow woman received the best parts of the meal while otherwise appearing to simply serve all the woman equally.

Polite, if a little strained, conversation was kept up through the meal. Eventually the meal was over and the distractions were running out. Conversation dried up, and everybody started to feel the tension.

"I had hoped that all of this would be over," Kurumu complained. "We graduated. We get to have real lives of our own. We shouldn't have to be afraid of losing Tsukune like this any more."

"We just have to be patient," Moka said, making an effort to remain outwardly calm.

"How can we patient?" Kurumu demanded. "How can your even sit still?"

"What would you have us do?" Moka glared at her friend with eyes fading from green to red.

"We could go look for him," Kurumu suggested.

"Tsukune would want us to wait here and trust him," Mizore said smoothly.

"And that is what we will do," Moka declared.

And so they waited...

XxxxXxxxX

Inari followed Tsukune back out to the street. As soon as she was outside she spotted Hiru. She thought about summoning her own familiar then, but that would mean waiting for her. On the other hand, if she rode with Tsukune she would be able to hold him. The armor on their jackets might make it a little uncomfortable, but she could live with it.

Of course nether of them had anticipated riding a motorcycle in the early morning hours, so they didn't have any helmets. If some local police decided to pull them over they could just show their identification, so it wouldn't be a problem in that regard. The lack of helmets simply meant that they were going to have to keep the speed down for safety. Going slower meant staying off the major highways, taking streets with stoplights and train crossings. The longer ride home was something Inari approved of.

"Tsukune," Inari asked while they were waiting for another light to change. "Do you think we could stop somewhere? Just for a little while?"

"Do you need a rest?" Tsukune asked. "I think we can find an open diner or coffee shop."

"I was actually thinking of something else," Inari said. She pointed down the cross street where a pink and black signboard was visible with a flickering neon glow.

"I don't think so," Tsukune turned to give her a flat look

"How about as a favor?" Inari asked with a hopeful smile.

"No," Tsukune said.

"Awwwww," Inari pouted.

The light turned and the resumed their ride. It was Inari's favorite fantasy that after an intense night on duty that they would unwind as lovers. She felt that the night should count as intense enough to satisfy the conditions of her pet daydream. She just had to find a way for the second part to happen. The simplest way, and probably the only way, was to make Tsukune want to give in to his desires by arousing him. Unfortunately, there was little she could do while riding behind him. The collar of his jacket was too high for her to nibble at his neck or ear when they were stopped. Inari didn't think her hands feeling his hard chest and abdomen would do anything for Tsukune, but she was enjoying the feel of his muscles under her hands. Rubbing her hands up his thighs might work, but would be dangerous to do if they were in motion.

Inari tried the more blatant approach of hands moving to his lap two lights further on. Her efforts were rewarded with Tsukune turning his head to give her a dirty look. But he didn't actually say anything, so she tried again at the next light. She got more of a response the second time. While they were stopped, Tsukune took one hand and stroked her thigh up to her hip. Inari was just starting to smile at her success when Tsukune's hand suddenly lifted off of her, only to return in less than a second to deliver a stinking smack to her hip.

"He-yow!" Inari complained.

"Behave," Tsukune growled.

"Yes sir," Inari pouted.

XxX

Inari was still pouting when home came in site. Arriving home, she knew, meant that her alone time with Tsukune was coming to an and for the night. She tried not to sigh. Inari knew her fantasy was impractical from the beginning, but that didn't mean she was willing to give up on it. As it was, once they had pulled into the parking garage, Inari hesitated in letting go of Tsukune.

"Inari..." Tsukune spoke up. Hiru had come to a stop, but his lieutenant had not moved to dismount. "We're home."

"I know," Inari replied.

"You can let go now," Tsukune said.

"I don't want to," Inari pouted.

"Fine," Tsukune said with a sigh. He grabbed her thighs in his hands. "Hold on tight."

"Whaaa..." Inari was surprised by what Tsukune did next.

Tsukune sent Hiru a mental command. The familiar shifted its shape and flowed out from under it's riders. At the same time, Tsukune leaned forward and put his legs down. He then had Inari on his back as he started walking towards the elevator.

"Tsukune," Inari questioned in surprise. She mover her arms from around his waist to hold on to his broad shoulders "What are you doing."

"I want to go up to my apartment and take a bath," Tsukune grumbled, standing a little straighter. "I don't want to wait down here for you to get tired of holding on to me."

"I'm sorry," Inair said.

"Forget it," Tsukune gave a small shake of his head.

He let go of her with one hand so he could press the elevator call button. Inari lowered her free leg and loosened her hold on his shoulders. Feeling her move, Tsukune bent his knees as he let go with his other hand, letting her stand on her own. Even though she was standing on her own two feet, Inari was reluctant to let go of Tsukune completely.

"I know you have to be tired of hearing this," Inari said. "But I love you, and it just feels good to be close to you."

"I don't get tired of hearing that actually," Tsukune said. He reached up to his shoulder and took her hand. He held it as he turned so she would be in front of him. "And I know you would like to have the time to spend with me alone. But tonight is not a good night for any of that." He held up his bare wrist. "I don't know what's been happening to me. My body feels awake, energetic, like I could start running and go on forever. At the same time, I am having trouble focusing." He looked down at is own arm, blinking as if he was surprised by what he saw. "And we are both stained with blood. I know that I need a bath badly. I don't know how you could stand to hold on to me, considering how bad I must smell right now."

"You smell kind of good right now, actually," Inari said with a blush. "It's hard to describe..."

Ding The elevator opened for them. Tsukune stepped into the waiting elevator. Inari wanted to grumble at the distraction, but followed silently.

"You did a good job tonight," Tsukune changed the subject as the elevator door closed. "You helped protect Mizore..."

"Not that she needed it," Inari muttered.

"And you helped protect everybody else," Tsukune continued. "Officially, you did did your duty as a police officer, and as your captain, I am proud of you. Next time I am on duty, I'll do the whole official letter for your record."

"Thank you," Inari nodded as the doors opened on the third floor hallway.

"Now, badges off," Tsukune said as they stepped out of the elevator. "I am proud of you as my lieutenant. You served me well tonight, and you have earned some special recognition. I really don't have any way to reward you right now, so how about..." He paused and thought for a moment. "I'll owe you a kiss and twenty favor points," Tsukune said with a small smile.

"Deal," Inari agreed quickly.

"Let's get cleaned up and get something to eat," Tsukune turned towards his apartment.

"Quick question," Inari said as she followed him. "How many favor points do I need to collect before..."

"A thousand," Tsukune cut her off.

"What?" Inari protested.

"Five hundred?" Tsukune offered.

"Tsukuneeee.." Inari moaned.

"A hundred?" Tsukune said in a light tone.

"Awwww," Inari responded. "How about fifty?"

"Fifty?" Tsukune gave her a look. "Well I guess we wont have a lot of nights like this... Alright," He gave her a nod. "Fifty points for a night together."

"Yes!" Inari cheered. "Twenty five points to go."

Before Tsukune could say anything else, the door to his apartment opened. Ruby stepped out into the hallway with a look of relief on her face. She offered Tsukune a smile and a bow.

"Welcome home, Master," Ruby said in a soft voice. "The others have been waiting for you. I have a bath and fresh clothes ready, and a meal prepared."

"Thank you, Ruby," Tsukune said as he started forward. "If you will have the Me sisters see to Inari's needs, I would like you to wash my back."

"Yes Master," Ruby happily agreed.

Xx

Taking his cue from Ruby's behavior, Tsukune tried to be quiet as he entered his apartment, with Inari following his example. In Tukune's living room, where the lights had been turned down, four young women were sleeping where they had been waiting for his return. Moka was sitting by herself in one of the comfortable chairs. The Black and White Duet of Mizore and Kurumu were leaning against each other on one end of the couch, while Yukari was curled up on the other end.

Moka woke up first. Her subconscious awareness, always alert to possible threats, felt Tsukune's presence, and his simmering youki. Her red eyes fluttered open and started scanning the room even before they had focused properly. She quickly zeroed in on the presence that she had felt and saw Tsukune watching her with a small smile on his face.

"Tsukune..." Moka said as she sat up.

That was enough to set off the chair reaction. It was impossible to tell if Mizore or Kurumu moved first, but soon they were both awake and getting to their feet. Moka was ahead of them, hurrying to embrace Tsukune.

"Ooofff.." Tsukune received Moka's hug, catching her body weight that she had launched at him in her excitement and relief.

"Tsukune..." Kurumu and Mizore called out together as they moved to embrace him as well, which woke up Yukari.

Tsukune endured the group hug for a moment, feeling happy to know that the women he loved were all safe. Their attentions felt good, regardless of the time, or how his body and mind were holding up at the moment. But as good as it felt to be loved, his body was still demanding attention.

"I love you all," Tsukune said. "But I would really like to get cleaned up."

Of course that started one of the kinds of arguments that had been so common back at school. Everybody volunteered to help, and then demanding to be the one to help. Logic was less important than emotion, but was offered up anyway. As the pushing and shoving started Tsukune decided he could ether take charge or run away.

"I already told Ruby to help me wash," Tsukune announced in a firm voice.

His girlfriends settled down, unifying in their frustration and giving Ruby jealous looks. Ruby just smiled sweetly back at them.

"However," Tsukune went on. "I would like some help with another matter." He held up his bare wrist. "I don't know exactly what has happened to me, but I do feel different in some way."

"Are you alright?" Moka asked.

"What can we do?" Kurumu questioned.

All of them were giving him worried looks.

"Moka, Kurumu," Tsukune said as he lowered his arm. "You two know the most about my changes in the past. Mizore, I believe you are the most sensitive to any changes in my power... my Warmth..."

"Yes," Mizore nodded.

"So while Ruby is helping me," Tsukune said with a rising sense of awkwardness. "If you three could... observe me for anything... It may help."

"I'll watch you too," Yukari volunteered.

"Ahh..." Tsukune began.

"No," The others finished for him.

"Awwww," Yukari pouted.

"If you want to help," Tsukune said as he dipped a hand into his pocket. "Then you might be able to find something out for me." He pulled out a section of the chain that had been attached to the holy lock. It was only a half-dozen links, and they were all crackd. He held it out to Yukari. "Perhaps you can study this and see if there is some way to restore it. Just in case."

"Alright," Ysukari said with a nod. She reached out and accepted the piece of chain. It wouldn't be as much fun as studying Tsukune in the bath, but she was glad that he was asking something of her.