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 233

Tsukune suspected he would have felt more self conscious if he had not been so mentally worn out. His shirts were damp with sweat and stiff from blood and salt. The armored costume that Ruby had made for him had looked good when he had put it on, but over the many hours it had gotten heavy. He was eager to get out of his bloodstained clothes and get clean. It was just too bad that he couldn't just dump everything on the floor and be done with it.

Moka and the other wanted to help Tsukune, not just out of kindness, but because it would give them a chance to perform a close inspection of him. They wanted to reassure themselves that he truly was alright. Ruby helped him out of the armored jacket and trouser, and he was glad to strip free of extra weight. Kurumu and Mizore closed in on him to continue helping him out of his clothes. As Tsukune was undressed he tried to watch for the magatama bead that he had worn around his neck. It had disappeared during the fighting, so Tsukune suspected that the cord holding it had broke, and that bead and string were now somewhere in his shirts. Of course with all the helping hands, just peeling off his shirts was more complicated than it had to be. He gave a relieved sigh when he was finally standing bare chested, because he was already feeling better.

"Tsukune!" Moka gasped. She had been standing back, observing the process of Tsukune being undressed, and admiring the sight of him. That was why she was the first one to notice what had happened.

"What?" Tsukune asked even as he heard Kurumu hiss in a breath in surprise.

"Your chest," Mizore said.

"Don't move," Ruby said. "I'll get you a mirror."

"What is it?" Tsukune questioned.

"I'm not sure," Moka said.

She moved closer to him and lifted a hand to his chest. Tsukune had to bend his neck uncomfortably far to see where she was reaching towards. What little he could see were some jagged black streaks two or three centimeters long radiating down from something green.

"What the..." Tsukune blinked in surprise.

"Here," Ruby returned with a hand mirror.

Tsukune took the mirror from her and held it to get a better look at his own chest. High on his sternum was what was left of the magatama bead. Before it had been a piece of curving jade that had resembled half of the yin-yang symbol. Looking kind of like a fang, it had hung point down from the braided red cord. What was left of the bead... It looked like the piece of jade had been crushed into little chips. Those chips had then somehow been forced into Tsukune's skin. The magatama had mostly kept its shape throughout the process, elongating a little all along it's length, so that it's tail came all the way around the the top of the head, making a complete circle. Any open space within that circle, including the space between the chips of jade, had a glossy black appearance that continued out in the radiating lines Tsukune could see all around the mark in his chest.

As Tsukune inspected what had happened to his chest, he watched as Moka reached out and touched the same place with her fingertips. He could see her touching him, touching the jade and the black parts on his chest, but he almost could not feel it. It was as if he was numb there. He could feel the pressure of her touch, but only deeper within. On the surface he felt nothing at all.

Tsukune held the mirror in his right hand and brought up his left so he could touch the strange place on his sternum. The jade was warm under his fingers. The black was hot. Both were firm but not hard. Tsukune lowered the mirror and closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on his new decoration.

He started with calming breaths. He wanted to focus his awareness inward first, looking for what he found familiar about himself. He felt his own body and the energy flowing through it. He looked inward and let himself see his inner self. At the same time that he was aware of his human body, he could feel his youkai form as well. It was his primal side that was keeping him awake, feeling physically energetic, even though he was so tired at the moment.

Tsukune knew that his youkai self had been changed in some way by what had happened. He could sense that his other self had grown, it felt heavier in his mind. It did not exactly make sense, but he knew the difference was more than just an increase in raw power.

Next, he concentrated on his physical, human body, starting with his chest, looking for what was different. As he narrowed the focus of his concentration, Tsukune became more aware of his new decoration. It seemed to have an energy of its own. There was a sense of something, almost like an ebb and flow of quiet breathes. Tsukune tried to concentrate on what he was feeling.

It was almost like looking through a hole in himself. He was more aware of himself, of both sides of himself, but his focus was someplace else. His mind tried to follow the strange flow of energy, to understand the nature of it. He could feel it flowing and tried to follow the current.

Tsukune felt a flash of something crash over him. It was as sense of powerful energy that hit him in a flash of brilliant, burning light. Hidden in that same light was a dark hunger that seemed to pull the breath from his lungs.

Tsukune's eyes snapped open as he staggered. His legs had started to buckle and the reflexes to keep him from falling had broken his concentration. It took a moment for him to orient himself and gather his thoughts.

"It doesn't hurt," Tsukune said, running his fingers over the jade once more. He handed the mirror back to Ruby. "It doesn't feel bad..." He frowned and looked to his girlfriends. "I guess..." Tsukune shrugged. "I guess we will just have to watch it and see what happens."

"Are you sure?" Moka asked.

"I don't know..." Tsukune shrugged again. "Let me get cleaned up, and then we can get some rest."

XxxX

Tsukune tried to project a sense of calm. What he wanted right then, just as much as he wanted a bath, was a chance to study what had happened to him. He knew he would have to wait, because he could feel Kurumu's anxiousness, and see it in all of their faces. The women he loved were worried about him. If he didn't act calm and as normal as possible, he would just upset them.

First order of business in acting normal, Tsukune decided, was getting clean. He finished undressing and headed for the bathroom at last. Kurumu removed her teddy and shorts while Ruby pulled off her oversized sleeping tee shirt. They were both better suited to the hot bath and spraying water than Moka and Mizore. Tsukune sat down on a stool in the bathroom and allowed himself to be the center of attention.

Ruby and Kurumu descended upon him with clear intent. The were going to get him clean and enjoy every moment on it they could. Kurumu even came at him with his toothbrush in hand at one point. To distract himself, Tsukune started telling them all about what had happened since the had left him at the hotel, as best he could with the attention he was receiving. By the time he finished sharing the conversation at the private little club he had been cleaned from head to toe and back again.

"Master," Ruby asked as she finished rinsing him off. "Would you like to enter the bath now?"

"I think not," Tsukune stood and stretched. "I'm afraid I would fall asleep, and after everything that's happened, drowning in a bathtub would be embarrassing."

A round of giggles and laughs proved that the four women agreed with Tsukune. Since he wasn't going to soak, Moka and Mizore were free to attack him with fluffy towels to dry him off. By the time Ruby and Kurumu had dried of and redressed themselves Tsukune had on a fresh pair of boxers and was ready for bed.

"Bed time," Tsukune said with a lazy smile.

Another argument began almost instantly

"Sorry to bother you all," Tsukune said to keep the argument from escalating. He continued when he saw that he had everybody's attention. "Ruby, please see to Yukari's and Inari's needs. And I think I will be sleeping in so do whatever for breakfast for everybody."

"Yes Master," Ruby acknowledged her instructions.

"Moka, Kurumu, Mizore," Tsukune directed his attention to his trio of girlfriends. "It may be uncomfortable awkward, so I understand if any of you refuse, but it may be best if you all stay with me tonight, in case anything happens while I am sleeping."

The trio shared a moment of stunned silence. They traded looks back and forth as they considered what Tsukune might have meant by his words. It was Moka that asked for clarification.

"Tsukune," Moka asked in a neutral tone. "Do you intend to sleep with all three of us tonight?"

"Moka," Tsukune just gave her a tired look. "I intend to sleep. I hope my body will remain calm while I do, and nothing else changes. Beyond that, if any or all of you want to stay, you are welcome to."

"I'll stay," Kurumu volunteered with a perky hop. She hurried to climb into Tsukune's bed.

"Yes," Mizore followed Kurumu.

"Tsukune?" Moka asked.

"If nothing goes wrong," Tsukune offered. "You can have breakfast in bed, and tell me if my blood tastes any different."

"Tsukune," Moka said in a stern voice. She pointed with one hand. "Go to bed." The effect was spoiled by her smile.

"Yes, Dame Moka," Tsukune smiled back.

XxxXxxX

Tsukune woke up hours later feeling better, but also still feeling tired. He had spend what was left of the night, and a good part of the morning, sleeping between Moka and Kurumu. As his mind drifted from sleep to waking, Tsukune took in the small details that reminded him that he was alive. He could smell Moka's herbal wash and the sweet spices that Kurumu liked to use. His right arm was trapped by Kurumu, while Moka was using his left shoulder for her pillow.

"Moka..." Tsukune whispered her name.

The pink haired vampire woke, blinking her eyes until they could focus. She gave Tsukune a happy smile and wiggled a little closer to him. He noticed that her hair was pink, but there was more than a little red in her eyes.

"Hmmmmm-morning Tsukune," Moka spoke with a lazy drawl. "Are you feeling better today?" She had moved up so she could nuzzle at his neck.

"Yes I am," Tsukune answered. "Thank you. And how are you doing?"

"We are doing very well," Moka answered. "I know that yesterday was very hard on you, and when we tried to help you, we contributed to your weariness. However, your blood had been very welcome at the time."

"I'm glad you you are alright," Tsukune said.

"We are fine," Moka said. "And we are about to be even better." She licked the side of his neck.

If he could have, Tsukune would have held Moka close. Her presence made the morning special in a way that was uniquely hers. With the sleeping Kurumu still holding his right arm, Tsukune had to settle for moving what he could of his left to lightly caress Moka's back.

"Hmmmmmm," Moka whispered in Tsukune's ear. "As delicious as always." She moved up to share a kiss with Tsukune. "You love us."

"Yes I do," Tsukune replied with a smile. "But I think I need to get something to eat. I forgot to eat after I got home last night."

"What about them?" Moka asked, rising up on one elbow to look past Tsukune and the two sleeping women on the other side of the bed.

"I just need to get one arm free," Tsukune answered.

"Oh?" Moka rolled over and snuggled up close to Tsukune. She had her head on his upper arm, and his forearm she pulled in and hugged to her chest. "Well I am not letting go of this arm until she lets go of your other one."

Tsukune gave the back of her head a dirty look. He was tempted to accuse her of trying to act cute, or ask her if she was trying to be funny. He was also tempted to just remain where he was and see if she would get bored and let go. Unfortunately he could feel his body demanding some attention to its basic needs and knew he could not afford to wait too long. Suppressing a sigh, he turned towards Kurumu to see what he could do to get loose from her.

Tsukune took the time to assess the situation and placement of his right arm and hand. Wiggling his arm only gave him a little range of motion. It was just enough to make Kurumu's breasts jiggle. It also made her hug his arm a little tighter, smiling all the while. Tsukune concentrated on his hand, which was between her thighs, palm down. He thought he had a chance there that didn't involve brute force.

Tsukune started by working his hand into a fist. Kurumu didn't resist much, so he soon had a little room to work between her thighs. The next step was a little harder. Tsukune rotated his fist between her legs into the palm was facing up. Once he had accomplished the rotation, he extended his index finger. Then very deliberately he touched his fingernail to the tender skin of her inner thigh and started to trace lightly in little circles.

It started with a shiver. Tsukune's delicate touch sent a tiny jolt through her. He kept it up until Kurumu finally tried to move her leg away from the tickling sensation.

Tsukune smiled at his success in freeing his hand. He now had a much greater range of motion. He had to twist his arm a bit, but he finally managed to reach his next target. He started to lightly tickle Kurumu's hip just above the waistband of her shorts.

Kurumu was slow to wake up in the morning, or even the mid morning. This was especially true when she was tired. She was starting to wiggle as Tsukune teased her skin. With a groan she even tried to move her lower body away from the tickling touch.

Finally Tsukune had her in the right position for is limited rang of motion. He was able to put his fingers to her ribs just below her breast. He paused for a moment and smiled

"Kurumu," Tsukune said in a low voice. "Time to wake up now."

"Hmmmmmm..." Kurumu resisted the idea, frowning without even opening her eyes.

"Kurumu..." Tsukune said a little louder. "If you wake up I will give you a kiss."

"Hmmmmm" She puckered up for a kiss. She was more awake than she wanted to admit. If Tsukune would just let her be, she could fall right back to sleep.

"Open your eyes and let go of my arm," Tsukune istructed.

"Mmm mmm," Kurumu gave a small shake of her head.

"Last warning..." Tsukune said, wiggling his fingers against her ribs gently.

"Tsukune..." Kurumu's eyes popped open. She blinked a few times and gave him a frown.

"Are you going to let go?" Tsukune asked.

"No," Kurumu said with a pout.

"No?" Tsukune challenged.

"No-Ooooooo..." Kurumu's protest turned into a cry as he began his tickle attack.

It only took a moment before Kurumu had suffered enough. She abandoned her hold on Tsukune's arm in favor of escaping the tickling. Tsukune snatched his arm safely away when she did. His next move involved his whole body. He Rolled to his left, and used his legs for leverage to help carry him over Moka, making her roll with him in the process. The move was enough to let him pull free of Moka as well, but it also put him past the edge of the bed. He caught himself on his right foot and hand enough to continue his roll rather than just falling to the floor. He rolled until he was on all fours, and then climbed to his feet.

"Good morning," Tsukune said with a foolish grin.

Moka and Kurumu were both giving him dirty looks. Mizore was sitting up giving Tsukune a look that might have been a frown, but it melted away quickly as she looked at him. Before anything else could distract him, Tsukune hurried off to the water closet, narrowly escaping a thrown pillow.