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, then you should not read this.

Chapter 237

Aono Kasumi was having a hard time dealing with the situation her son had thrust upon her. It was very disappointing that her son had tuned into such a playboy. The attention he had been receiving from so many girls had been amusing when it had just been some harmless flirting. When it had been a little competition and a little distracting play, Kasumi had seen no problem with encouraging it along a little. Suddenly it wasn't a game any more.

Kasumi relaxed on the couch as she tried to get everything sorted out in her head. When Tsukune had announced that he was going to be a father, that she was going to be a grandmother, Kasumi had fainted. Too much excitement at once had overwhelmed her. When she came around, only a moment later, she had found herself the center of attention. Her pack of daughters were being very caring and supportive. Kasumi had everything she needed a short distance away, usually being held by hands willing to help her. She liked being the center of attention.

Tsukune and Moka getting married was something Kasumi approved of without any hesitation. She was a sweet girl, and seemed to truly make her son happy. Any of the others she could have approved of as well. Having a famous daughter-in-law like Kurumu would have been fun. Somehow Tsukune seemed to think that it was alright for him to keep the others while talking about being married to Moka, and that was not right. Kasumi knew lots of married men, and even married women sometimes had moments of indiscretion. You couldn't watch as many television dramas as she did without knowing how the world of relationships worked.

Kasumi wanted to protest that she was too young to be a grandmother. With all the young women around her son, it was something she was afraid could happen, but she had thought that Tsukune posessed better judgment than that. Right there, in front of his fiancee, he had admitted to having gotten a girl pregnant. She was proud that her son was willing to stand up and take responsibility for what he had done, but at the same time she was very disappointed in him.

What were the neighbors going to think? Kasumi felt a touch of panic as the question ran through her mind. Enough of her friends had seen Mizore, and knew that the girl was sweet on Tsukune, so there would be no doubt about what had happened, and with who. And Tsukune wasn't even talking about marrying the girl that was going to have his baby.

"Mizore," Kasumi said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, Mother," Mizore nodded.

"I was wondering if you had told your mother," Kasumi asked. "About Tsukune and the baby I mean?"

"Yes," Mizore nodded again.

"How does she feel about it?" Kasumi wanted to know how the other woman was handling her unwed daughter having a baby.

"My mother is very excited," Mizore said. "She is looking forward to being a grandmother."

"But how does she feel about you and Tsukune?" Kasumi asked.

"She was disappointed that Tsukune was not going to settle down with me back in our village," Mizore answered. "But she understands the reasons why he cannot."

"That must upset her," Tsukune's mother pressed.

"No," Mizore shook her head. "Mother deeply respects Tsukune, and is grateful that he is willing to accept the traditions of our village. She made Tsukune promise that when he has children with Moka and Kurumu he has to bring them for visits. My mother wants lots of grandchildren."

Something about what the young woman made Kasumi's head hurt. Mizore didn't seem to have any problem with the idea of being Tsukune's concubine. She seemed to think that her mother was alright with it too.

"I wouldn't mind," Kurumu spoke up.

"What?" Kasumi blinked.

"Mizore is my best friend," Kurumu replied. "When I have Tsukune's babies, I think it would be a good idea of they could spend some time visiting with Mizore's mother."

"B-Ba-Babies?" Kasumi stammered. It was the casual use of the plural that really shook her.

"In a few years from now," Kurumu said with a smile. "I have a career to build first."

"That's good to hear at least," Kasumi said with a small measure of relief.

Before the conversation could go any longer, Kyouko arrived. She had made an effort to dress nice, in a nice blouse and skirt. When she entered, she intended to stay calm, and try to not be critical of Tsukune and his companions. Her resolve was threatened as soon as she saw Kasumi on the couch, with her feet up and a compress on her forehead.

"Aunty," Kyouko gasped. "What happened? Are you alright?" She pushed past the others to try to check to make sure the older woman was unharmed.

"Kyouko, calm down," Kasumi said as she sat up. "I was just taking a rest. I got too excited for a moment is all."

"Too excited?" Kyouko questioned. "This is Tsukune's fault, isn't it?"

"Why are you blaming Tsukune?" Kurumu demanded.

"I wasn't talking to you," Kyouko snapped back.

"But she is correct," Moka said in an even voice. "You are always quick to blame Tsukune. You should take the time to lean what is really going on, instead of just reacting to what you think is happening."

"You stay out of this," Kyouko insisted. "This is a family matter."

"Moka is my fiancee," Tsukune spoke up. He had been keeping quiet so his mother would have a chance to come to grasp with everything that had already happened. "She is my family"

"No," Kyouko shook her head.

"Yes," Moka said with a proud smile, holding her hand to display her engagement ring.

"No! No way," Kyouko waved her hands. "There is no way I will allow it."

"You won't allow it?" Moka questioned as she stood up. "And what makes you think you have anything to say about it? Tsukune asked me to marry him. We said yes. We will be married."

"All I have to do is tell the truth," Kyouko threatened.

The atmosphere turned brittle. Moka's eyes darkened from green to red. Mizore and Kurumu watched Tsukune for guidance while tensing themselves.

"Kyouko," Tsukune said in a level voice. "Why don't you and I step out back to talk."

"I can talk just fine right here," Kyouko replied.

"Alright," Tsukune said. "But I want you to listen to what I have to say. I love Moka. I am going to marry her. I have already told you that I risked my life to protect her. I have been willing to die to keep her safe. There is nothing and nobody in this world more important to me than her. And that includes you."

"But I'm your family," Kyouko protested.

"And when Moka and I are married," Tsukune said. "She will be family as well."

"But why?" Kyouko demanded. "Why do you have to marry her?"

"You have it wrong," Tsukune gave her a small, sad shake of his head. "I don't have to marry Moka. I get to marry her."

"But..." Kyouko started.

"Save your breath," Kurumu cut her off. "It won't do any good."

"What do you know?" Kyouko turned to face the succubus.

"What do I know?" Kurumu repeated the question before answering it. "I know that for three years I tried to get Tsukune to give up on Moka and choose me. I know that when that didn't work, that the best that I could do was come in second, and that was better than nothing at all. I decided that I would be the best damn mistress any man ever had."

Tsukune's parents started to choke and sputter.

"And you're fine with that?" Kyouko turned back to Moka in disbelief.

"Why should it bother me?" Moka said with a small, evil smile. She was determined to prove her seriousness, but wanted to avoid any violence, so she fell back on something she knew well, the ability of an elite vampire to show pride and confidence to the point of arrogance. "If the man I marry is desired by others, it just proves how well I have chosen." She looked at her own engagement ring, her smile growing wider. "And we are the one that Tsukune has asked to marry, so we know exactly who he loves most."

"Why you..." Kyouko growled.

"Kyouko, that's enough," Kasumi called out.

"But Aunty," Kyouko complained as she turned.

"Kyouko," Kasumi sad in her firm mother voice. "Tsukune had made his decision of who he wishes to marry. Moka is a nice girl, and she makes my son happy. You should be happy for him."

"But Aunty..." Kyouko protested. "She's... She's a... A..." Kyouko realized what she was thinking of saying, and how it would sound.

"Kyouko," Her uncle said. "I know this is sudden." He chuckled. "But sometimes life has it's surprises. You just accept what comes your way and make the best of it. And all things considered, Tsukune wanting to get married is not unreasonable at all."

"How can you stay so calm?" Kyouko wanted to know.

"I have the easy job," Tsukune's father explained. "All I have to do is go to work and earn a good living. Your aunty is the one who will be talking with the neighbors." He chuckled again.

"Honey, you're horrible," Kasumi mad a throwing gesture towards her husband.

"I know," Tsukune's father gave his wife a cute smile. "I am just a terrible terrible husband. Oh what could you have done to be stuck with somebody like me."

"Oh stop it," Kasumi protested with a smile.

Kurumu watched the exchange between the married couple. It was so much like the way she and Tsukune had acted at times that she couldn't help but smile. The giggle slipped out before she could stop it.

"See," Tsukune spoke up with a smile of his own. "It runs in the family. We Aono men are completely rotten."

"Tsuku-neee.." Kurumu's protest ended in a burst of laughter.

"You're just like your father," Kasumi sighed.

"Of course he is," His father said.

"I know mother tried to save me," Tsukune added. "But I was too horrible from the beginning."

"I know, I know," His father said. "And it is all my fault." He turned to his wife. "I should have let you marry somebody richer and better looking. Somebody who truly deserved you."

Kasumi picked up her compress and threw it at her husband with a snort.

"See," He said. "I am such a horribly man my own wife can't stand me."

"Uncle!" Kyouko protested, embarrassed by the older couple's childish play.

"Don't worry Father," Kurumu said. She got up and went over to him. "I will always love you." She sat down in his lap. "Because you gave me Tsukune."

"Hey now!" Kyouko snapped.

"And if you ever get lonely," Kurumu shifted into a little girl voice. "You can always take me shopping."

"Tsukune," Kyouko appealed to her cousin for support.

"Kurumu, you should know better than that," Tsukune said.

"Yeah," Kyouko huffed.

"Mother would be much more fun to go shopping with," Tsukune added.

"Tsukune!" Kyouko turned back to him, feeling betrayed.

"He is right," Moka said thoughtfully. "Mother and I have been able to go shopping together before. I hope we can go again soon."

"That would be wonderful," Kasumi smiled.

Kyouko looked around her in frustration. She was surrounded by smiling faces. Her cousin. Her aunt and uncle. Tsukune's fiancee and girlfriends. Everybody was smiling. They bantered back and forth. Finally she threw up her hands.

"Family," She sighed.

XxxxxXxxxX

The rest of the evening passed without any serious disagreements. Kasumi still wasn't entirely happy with the strange arrangement of relationships her son was living with, and the knowledge that her first grandchild was already on the way didn't sit well with her ether. Kyouko kept shooting her cousin dark looks. She finally heard about Mizore's baby as they were all sitting down to supper, which early touched off another explosion. But over all, the atmosphere in the house was one of family.

When supper was over and everything was cleaned up, it was time to say goodnight. Kurumu and Mizore snoozed, cuddled up with Tsukune for the trip back to his home. Moka let them have their moment, because she was going to spend the night with him. She looked at her engagement ring again under the passing street lights. Moka wanted to have a chance to show Tsukune just how happy she was that he had proposed to her.

After they were dropped off it was already late. Inari followed along to the third floor, said her goodnight when it was clear she wasn't needed, and returned to her own room on the second floor. Mizore held out for a goodnight kiss before going to the guestroom in Moka's apartment. Kurumu made a token argument about wanting to spend her last night off work with Tsukune before collecting a kiss and retreating to his guestroom. Ruby slipped away after seeing to her master's immediate comforts. Finally, Moka and Tsukune were alone.

Once they were alone, Moka knew exactly what she wanted to do. Ruby, in her wisdom, had set up the bath for them before retreating for the night. While not exactly filthy, bathing together was an act of intimacy that Tsukune and Moka were able to share. Moka didn't like remembering all the times Tsukune had been hurt, but when they bathed together she could see all the scars he had collected because he had loved her enough to stay with her.

From the bath to the bed was a short trip. Along the way they shared smiles and gentle touches. Moka was feeling excited, and would have had a hard time holding herself back. Except, she didn't have to. Moka was alone with Tsukune, and that meant that she was free to embrace and act upon her feelings. Happily, she tumbled into bed with Tsukune, letting herself enjoy the warmth of his body and his ever so delicious scent.

Tsukune responded to her. He thrilled at her touch and kissed her with every bit as much passion as she showed him. His attentions thrilled Moka and filled her with pleasure. In that precious time, everything was right with the world.

Xx xX

"Tsukune," Moka said some time later. It was in the early morning hours. Her silver hair spilled out across the pillows as she held her hand up to admire her engagement ring in the semi-darkness. "Can you tell me something?"

"What would you like to know?" Tsukune asked.

"What would have happened if things had gone differently tonight?" Moka questioned.

"You mean if my parents didn't accept our engagement?" Tsukune clarified.

"That's right," Moka nodded. She lowered her hand and rolled of to cuddle Tsukune. "Or any of the rest of what you told them."

"It's simple," Tsukune shrugged. "If they had a problem with continuing to be with... the others, then I would just not bring them around when I visited home. If they couldn't accept my relationship with Mizore, then there would be no reason for me to bring the baby to see them."

"There own grandchild?" Moka questioned.

"I said the same thing to Mizore's mother," Tsukune explained. "If any children I have can't be accepted and loved freely, then there is no reason to let them be there. I don't want somebody trying to tell my children that there is something wrong because of how or where they were born."

"And what if your parents had not accepted me?" Moka asked.

"Then I would have apologized for bothering them and left," Tsukune said. "We could have just gone out somewhere to celebrate our engagement, or just come home."

"But they are your parents," Moka observed.

"And when they need help," Tsukune replied. "They can ask for it. I won't abandon them, but they are not going to keep me from being with you."

"Do you mean that?" Moka asked, lifting herself up to look into Tsukune's face.

"Moka," Tsukune gave her a steady look. "I made my decision. I made it a long time ago. I made that decision on the very first day I met you. I decided that I was willing to give up my life for you. All of my life or just part of it, it doesn't matter. Moka," Tsukune embraced her. "You have become my life. I love you."

"And I love you, Tsukune," Moka said as she closed in on him. "Capachuuu..."