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 238
Tsukune wondered why Monay's had it out for him. Friday had started out well, before crashing into a violent bloodbath. Saturday had been spent ether sleeping or talking with Kyouko. Sunday, Tsukune felt, had been the absolute best. He had been able to talk with the women he loved and make them happy. Moka had accepted his proposal and was now his fiancee. He had even been able to tell his parent about his relationships and not get disowned.
Then came Monday. It had started with a phone call. Tsukune had planned to sleep in, because he still had a day before he had to be back at work, and Moka had spent most of the night keeping him awake in very pleasant ways. Ruby had been very apologetic as she brought Tsukune his cell phone at a quarter past nine that morning.
Tsukune looked at Ruby and the phone with a dark glare and considered his options. He thought of smashing the phone, but rejected it because it had been a gift from Kurumu. He could throw something at Ruby, but realized that she would probably stand around hoping for more apunishment. Finally he sat up and held his hand out for Ruby to give him the phone.
"Aono Tsukune," Tsukune declared into the phone.
"Good morning, Aono," Came a voice that sounded as tired as Tsukune felt. "This is Tanaka Ito. Are you free to talk?"
"I suppose I am," Tsukune replied.
"I have a meeting later today," Tanak gave a snort. "I have several meetings later today. I know you made statements for the reports Friday night. It would be helpful however, if you could fill out a report of your own."
"A report," Tsukune nodded. "Right. I can do that. Do you want me to fax it to you?"
"I want you to bring it with you," Tanaka said.
"Excuse me?" Tsukune questioned.
"Come meet up with me by lunch time," Tanaka said. "Give me your report, help me check some of the facts. That is all I am asking."
"That's all?" Tsukune blinked, his mind becoming more alert.
"I realize I cannot make you do anything," Tanaka said. "As much as I would like to have you with me at the meetings, I'll be glad to settle for just your report."
"Right..." Tsukune yawned. "Can I call you back? I need to get up and wake up... I don't think I have any report forms..."
"I can email you the forms," The Lieutenant offered.
"Shit," Tsukune spat.
"What is it?" Tanaka asked.
"I don't even have a computer," Tsukune complained.
"Why not?" Tanaka questioned. "Everybody has them now days."
"Long story," Tsukune grumbled.
"Alright, here's what you can do," Tanaka said. "Go to your nearest koban, show them your identification and ask for the forms you need. If they don't have any of the paper forms available, ask to borrow a computer and type your report out there."
"Alright," Tsukune said with a tired nod. "I'll call you when it's done, or if I need any help. We'll decide where to meet after that. Sound good?"
"It sounds like a plan," Tanaka agreed. "Talk to you soon."
"Yes," Tsukune agreed before hanging up. He looked at the phone in his hand and collected his thoughts. "Shit."
"What is it, Tsukune?" Moka asked as she sat up.
"Work," Tsukune said. He started to get out of bed. "Ruby, I'll need something professional to wear today." He paused to dial a number. "And breakfast."
"Yes Master," Ruby gave him a small bow.
"If you don't mind," Moka said as she got out of bed. "I would like to pick out Tsukune's clothes."
"As you wish," Ruby said smoothly.
"Sorry to wake you, Inair," Tsukune said into the phone. "But we have work to do. Get cleaned up and dress professionally, then come on up. We'll talk over breakfast."
XxxX
Tsukune felt foolish for getting tripped up by something so simple. Everybody had computers, or close enough. His father used computers at work. Tsukune had learned to use computers during middle school. It was the three years at Youkai Academy that had put him out of touch. He was only a little more familiar with computers than Inari, but far ahead of Moka or Ruby. He realized that it was another thing he had to take care of before it could become a critical issue.
Over breakfast, Tsukune explained the situation to Inari. Inari listened intently, or tried to, but her concentration was being sorely tested. Moka was sitting at the table beside Tsukune, enjoying a healthy breakfast. It just so happened that she was wearing one of Tsukune's undershirts, and nothing else. Tsukune was cleaned up and dressed for the day, Moka had done little more than run her fingers through her hair and pull on something in a token effort to be modest. Inari could tell be the scents that Moka and Tsukune had spent a passionate night together, and it was enough to make the fox spirit envious, and more than a little aroused.
Kurumu emerged from the guest bedroom, in a button down shirt that had once been Tsukune's, looking cute and naughty at the same time. She would be going off to her own responsibilities soon enough, but she managed to get Tsukune to kiss her before he had to go out. Inari was jealous of the way the others so easily got Tsukune to look at them, to touch them.
"Inari," Tsukune said as they started down the hall to the elevator. "There is something you and I need to get taken care of soon."
"What is that?" Inari asked.
"We need to get some real diver's licenses," Tsukune answered. "What we have is fine as long as we only use our familiars, but that may not always be the right way to get around."
"I see your point," Inari nodded as she pressed the call button.
"I am also going to see about getting a computer," Tsukune said. "We may not normally be using one for work, but it will be useful for university."
"Yes, I am sure it will," Inari nodded. She thought for a moment. "I better look for some typing classes."
"That sounds like a good idea," Tsukune agreed.
"I should learn to take dictation too," Inari added. "If I am going to be helping you with office work in the future, I need to be able to do more than make coffee and tea."
"Yes," Tsukune said as he stepped into the elevator with Inari following. "But just so you know, I think you make some very good tea."
Inari's face light up as the doors closed.
XxxxX
Tsukune noticed right away that the local koban was at least twice the size of the one he worked out of. It was also far more crowded. Showing their identifications got Tsukune and Inari a single desk in the corner with a computer they could use. Fortunate for them, the underfunded police department had a system old enough that someone who had not used a computer in over three years would have no trouble getting what they wanted done.
Because they had both been there, Inari and Tsukune had mostly the same information for the report. They did have to edit the information a little for content. For the limited time they had been apart, which was for the fighting, they had different information to report. For the rest, they just copied from one report to the other. Tsukune sent his report to the printer first, so he could read it over while Inari worked on hers.
Tsukune thought that he had sent his report to the printer, but when he went to get it, it wasn't there. He went back to the desk and had Inari resend it. This time he picked it up as it came out. What he had not known was that the first attempt to print the report actually worked, but it had been picked up with some other documents by mistake. A young officer who had been filling out his own report realized he had a report someone else, but glanced over it out of curiosity. He ended up reading through the report excitedly. He had seen the news reports. Like many police resources, he had spent the weekend on alert, in case there were any more "terrorist activities." When he saw the name and unusual rank on the report, he realized that it had to belong to one of the two strangers at the back desk.
The officer was surprised to to see that the pair were so young. He remembered the part in the news cast about undercover officers helping to fight the terrorists. It was like having celebrities in the koban. He hurried to return the report to its rightful owner. With a sense of nervousness he stopped beside the desk, standing straight backed.
"Sir, Officer Yamada Sana, Sir," He held out the printed report. "I picked this up by mistake. I believe it is yours, Captain Aono sir."
"At ease," Tsukune said, falling back on training and experience as he tried not to flinch. He took the extra copy of the report from the officer. "Thank you Officer Yamada."
"Sir," Sana said. "It is an honor to meet you sir."
"Don't let the rank impress you, Officer Yamada," Tsukune said. "I normally work on a southern island. Not a lot of problems, but lots of visitors. It makes them feel good if someone with a lot of rank listens to their concerns." Tsukune was testing a story he had worked up, because captain was an unusual rank for Japanese Police, and he was young to have any rank. He even managed to smile as he worked in something real from his work. "I even get people that want to come to the koban to complain about the food."
"Yes sir," Sana managed to relax a small amount. "But you were also the ones working undercover at the big party Friday night, weren't you sir? That must have been exciting."
"It was very exciting," Inari spoke up. "But I liked the dancing more than the fighting. But undercover work is often like that." She finished her work with a few last key strokes as she talked. "You go somewhere different. You get to see some things that are interesting or fun, and you wait. You wait for an order, or you wait for something to go wrong. And then it is all routine investigations and reports." With another click she sent her report to the printer. "Speaking of which, could you get that for me Officer Yamada?"
"Yes Ma'am," Sana turned to do as she had asked.
Tsukune and Inari left the local koban without any more surprises. Tsukune decided to leave the area before the office gossip within could get anybody too excited. Together they rode a short distance away and around a few corners. Finally they stopped so Tsukune could call Lieutenant Tanaka to find out where to meet him.
"You handled that situation very smoothly," Tsukune said while he pulled out his phone. "Thank you."
"A fox is supposed to be clever," Inari replied with a smile.
"And yes you are," Tsukune nodded.
"So that is another point for me?" Inari's smile turned mischievous.
"Alight," Tsukune nodded. "Another point for you."
XxxxXxxxX
Lieutenant Tanaka had been relieved by Aono Tsukune's call. He had been pleased that the younger man had been willing to meet up with him close to the office. It was a nice bonus that in addition to his own report, Tsukune was bringing with him his own lieutenant and her report.
The coffee shop was filled with tourists and people in suits. Tourists were there because the shop was close to the Imperial Palace. The people in suits were there for the same reason. It was a place that Tanaka had been to plenty of times. He was surprised by how well the pair he was meeting with were able to blend in. They were dressed well enough that they could be on a break from an office, or out on a date. The way they matched each other so well made Tanakea the one to stand out the most at the table.
Theirs was a business lunch. Plates of food had to share table space with reports and notes, and some very unappetizing photographs. One of the things that stood out was how unbalanced the situation had been. Fairy Tail had thought they had the advantage of planning, numbers, and adults versus teens, in theory. But the planning had not included the possibility of serious opposition. The opposition had had the advantage of experience in using teamwork, in the case of the Student Police members and Tsukune's girlfriends. The less experienced defenders had the advantage of surprise. In the final count, Fairy Tail did not have as an overwhelming advantage in numbers after all.
"The thing to remember," Tsukune said, keeping his voice down. "Is that the people the terrorists recruited were not very different from those that stood up to them. Think of it the terms of... Of a casual football game. It will be an open game, with no limit on numbers, and the field will not be of any specific size."
"If you wanted to put a team together," Tsukune continued. "You try to find people that will do a good job, and are willing to work together. The problem that the terrorists had, is that the people willing to come to their team were all the kind of people that other teams would have already passed over, or even kicked out. They may be willing to play dirty in all sorts of ways, even intentionally trying to hurt members of the other team in order to win, but they still are not all that good."
"So when my team shows up," Tanaka picked up on the line of thinking. "They are expecting an easy win, but run into another team that has a better record."
"That's right," Tsukune nodded.
"So the offensive team has forty players let us say," Tanaka said. "But they are all only average at best."
"While the defending team has twenty five players," Tsukune added.
"It still looks one-sided," Tanaka nodded.
"But some of the defenders are really strong," Inari threw in. "National champion level."
"Suddenly the odds are very different," Tanaka said. "I think I see how this would change everything. Even if it is teens going against adults, adults that are average players for casual games are going to be in trouble going up against teens that just graduated, and are probably in better shape."
"The defenders are surprised," Tsukune said. "Fight or flight kicks in, and because they are with friends, or even someone they love, fighting is the clear choice."
"But I don't understand why they fought so..." Tanaka tapped on of the pictures on the table. "Why not just fight to defend until help arrived or to escape?"
"That is a very civilized way for a human to think," Inari answered. "But that is not the situation."
"She is right," Tsukune added. "Have you ever watched a documentary on lions or wolves?"
"You are referring to packs?" Tanaka asked.
"Kind of," Tsukune agreed. "The primal thinking is what was going on that night. It is an all or nothing fight."
"It is a lot like a fight for dominance," Inari said. "The one who has something, like a mate, is going to fight harder to keep it than the one trying to take it. He or she has more to lose, so they will try harder to win."
"If you win," Tsukune summed it up. "You get to protect your wife and daughter, even if you don't survive."
"I could accept that," Tanaka said with conviction.
"So if the stakes are that high," Tsukune continued. "You are not going to hold back."
"While the person who attacked you," Inari added. "Was not expecting anybody to really stand up to him."
"So he would hesitate," Tanaka said. "He would have to decide if the goal was worth the risk."
"There was another element that changed the odds as well," Tsukune explained.
"Oh?" Tanaka questioned.
"You know that feeling someone says they have when someone is focused on them?" Tsukune asked.
"The danger sense?" Tanaka returned. "Like when you target of a surveillance starts looking around for no reason."
"Exactly," Tsukune nodded. "The terrorists were carrying charms to hide themselves, so their killing intent, their presence would be unnoticed."
"That is possible?" Tanaka blinked.
"I had to talk with some friends that know more about such things," Tsukune explained. "But not only was it possible, it helped us more than them."
"How so?" Tanaka wanted to know.
"It helped prevent anybody from completely panicking," Tsukune answered. "While the threat was real, it did not feel as bad as it probably was."
"That would be like telling people in an emergency evacuation that it was only a drill," The lieutenant said. He pursed his lips and nodded. "They might smell the smoke and be frightened, but if you tell them it is a drill, they can feel a little bit calmer. They are less sure that there is really a fire. They may be frightened, but it would be easier for them to actually think and not just run blindly into each other." He nodded again. "I see."
Lieutenant Tanaka did understand. While he had been using the word 'terrorist,' street gang would be a better description. The conviction and discipline just had not been there. Every little mistake and shifted the odds. Add in the fact that the leader had been eliminated, in a group where intimidation was a driving factor, there had been very little reason for the bad guys to fight once things started to go badly for them.
"What about the ones that got away?" Tanaka asked.
"What usually happens," Tsukune shrugged. "The run and hide. They get angry about being beaten. They hope they don't get in trouble for failing. Some might rejoin the terrorists if they get the chance."
"I doubt they will," Tanaka said. "Because of the seriousness of what happened, and the families of some of the people there, there are a lot of resources being spent on the investigation. We have already seized bank accounts and assets. With international support, some other countries are freezing accounts that showed connections to the terrorists."
"We collected a lot of information that night," Tanaka explained. "And just the records searches over the weekend turned up more. As of this morning we have heard from South Korea, the Americans, and the English of more businesses being investigated. The Chinese say they are investigating, but are not sharing details. The Taiwanese said they tried for an arrest, but a fight broke out. They tried to use teargas, but it was an older office building and something caught fire. No survivors were recovered."
Lieutenant Tanaka leaned back from the table with a small grin. It felt good to know his work was bring down bad guys. It wasn't over, and he didn't think it ever would be, but his side was winning.
"If that group ever tries to rebuild in Japan," Tanaka said. "It is going to be a two front war."
XxxxxxxxxxxX
"We did some good work today," Tsukune said after he and Inari had returned to the garage of their home. "Thank you for your help."
"You are most welcome, Captain," Inari said with a smile.
"We are off duty now," Tsukune said.
"And we are in civilian clothes," Inari observed. "So we are not in uniform ether."
"True," Tsukune nodded as he started for the elevator.
"So if we are off duty and out of uniform," Inari hurried after him. "That means I can do what I want." She grabbed him around the waist, stopping him a meter and a half away form the elevator button."
"Hey now," Tsukune protested.
"You are about to go up stairs to Moka," Inari said.
"That's right," Tsukune nodded.
"And then tomorrow you are back on duty at the koban," Inari continued. "But I'm not scheduled for duty until Thursday. This will be the last time I have you to myself for a week, at least."
"I'm sorry about that," Tsukune shrugged. "Things like this happen."
"Well I'm not going to let this opportunity pass by," Inari declared.
"What are you going to do?" Tsukune asked.
"Well I earned a favor point today," Inari said. "So I am going to use it by insisting that you come with me for a cup of tea."
"That's not all you are going to insist on," Tsukune said, knowing the answer.
"You're right," Inari said. "That's just the start."
Tsukune did not bother to argue. He went with Inari to the second floor, to his official apartment. She took his jacket and had him take a seat at the low table. In the kitchen he set everything up and started heating water in the kettle.
"Be right back," Inari said.
She ducked into the bedroom of the apartment and opened the closet. Tsukune was amused to see some of his old school uniforms hanging in there. What Inari pulled out surprised him. She took her selection and moved into a corner of the room where she would have some privacy to change clothes, but she did not close the door. Tsukune refused to accept the invitation to peek, even when Inari intentionally threw the clothes she was taking off out where he could see them.
"What do you think?" Inari asked as she stepped out of the bedroom dressed in her old school blouse and skirt. She gave Tsukune a mischievous smile and a wink.
"Ahhhh..." Tsukune blinked. "Why?"
"Because it was ether this or a bathrobe," Inari said. "I don't keep a lot here, but I try to make it look like you use this apartment regularly. I figure that if your family ever came to visit, at least until I can bring some more things from home, a girl's uniform wouldn't stand out much, but it would show that you had a girlfriend visiting. And your family would have no way of knowing who's uniform it was."
She returned to the task of making tea with a bounce in her step. Tsukune had to admit that she had a point about making the apartment looked lived in. He decided to look for a small used television and some books he could add to the apartment. When Inari served the tea she sat close beside Tsukune; hip to hip.
"This is something you wanted to do before graduation, wasn't it?" Tsukune asked.
"Only for the last year," Inari said. "Before then, I just knew I liked you."
"I see," Tsukune said.
"Looking back," Inari blushed a little. "It seems kind of silly, the crush I had on you. But I am glad that I didn't give up on it."
"But you are not really getting anything out of our arrangement," Tsukune said.
"Relationship," Inari corrected.
"What?" Tsukune questioned.
"We have a relationship," Inari said clearly. "Two relationships really. We have a professional one, and a personal one."
"I guess that's true," Tsukune allowed.
"And I am going to spend time making sure I can enjoy both," Inari declared. She undid the top two buttons of her blouse.
"Inari," Tsukune said in a warning tone. "There is only so much you're going to get for a favor point."
"I know," Inari smile. "I'm only using it for the setup."
"The setup for what?" Tsukune asked.
"You told me that I had earned a kiss Friday night," Inari reminded him. "So after some tea and a chance to relax a little to help set the mood, I want to collect that kiss."
"Ahhh," Tsukune gave her a shrewd look. "But it will only be a kiss."
"I believe you," Inari said. "But I am going for quality over quantity." She sipped at her tea.
"So you want a long kiss then?" Tsukune asked.
"I want a long, slow kiss," Inari answered. She looked a little to the side, acting shy. "I remember the kiss we shared before graduation. I will always remember the kiss we shared, and how special it made me feel."
"Inari..." Tsukune was unsure of what he should say.
Before he could come up with a good excuse to escape, Inari pushed the table away from them. She took Tsukune teacup from his hands and put it safely beside her own on the table. Inari then moved so that she was kneeling beside Tsukune, facing the opposite direction. That put their faces close to one another.
"Tsukune," Inari took one of his hands in her own. "I know you have some hesitation, but I do love you. I want you to kiss me. I wish you would kiss me every day." She leaned in a little and put her free hand behind his neck. "But if I am only going to get this one kiss for the whole week, please, kiss me in a way that will make me feel alive all over again." She leaned in to collect her kiss.
A tiny part of Tsukune's mind remembered what Inari had said earlier that day. He remembered that a fox was supposed to be crafty. He realized, especially thinking back later, that she had set the scene and the mood very carefully. All of that reasoning did not become clear until later. That small part of his mind was drowned out by the thrill that came with kissing a pretty woman.
Tsukune relaxed into the kiss, letting himself enjoy it. He intended to keep himself a little focused, so as to keep from getting carried away. Inari on the other hand wanted to get the most out of the moment. While she was kissing Tsukune, and he was kissing her back, she lifted his hand and pressed it to her breast.
A low moan escaped Inari into Tsukune's mouth. She had left her bra off when she had changed clothes. Feeling the curve of her breast in his hand, he squeezed it gently out of reflex. She pressed her chest forward, eager for more. Her body felt alive with excitement. She wanted Tsukune attentions so badly.
"Tsuuu-kuneee," Inari broke the kiss to moan his name. She put her other arm around his neck to pull him closer.
"Inari," Tsukune said, giving her only a small, nipping kiss on the lips. "You had your one kiss."
"Awwwww," Inari pouted. She tried to lean in again, but only got a kiss on her forehead for her trouble.
"And you had your fun," Tsukune said as he slid his hand down her body, off of her breast.
"Ohhh..." Inari's body trembled as she felt his fingers travel over her.
"Now I am going to go up stairs," Tsukune declared. "You're welcome to come up at six for supper. You can visit with Ruby if I'm not available."
"Tsukune..." Inari complained.
He planted a light kiss on her forehead before he stood up, pulling free from her embrace. Inari had to resist the urge to grab his leg. With a sigh she stood up as well.
"I will clean up here," Inari volunteered.
"Be good," Tsukune said. "And if I don't see you before then, I'll see you Thursday morning."
XxXXxXxxxXxxX
Tanaka Ito relaxed into the comfortable chair with a sigh. Officially it was his last meeting of the day. It was a meeting that was officially over when he handed a folder to the person he was meeting. It was a copies of all the official reports from the "Terrorist Attack," with terminology and details that would be safe to leak out to the press.
"Here you go," Tanaka had said as he handed the folder to Ross. "What isn't in there is what you were there to see."
"Thanks," Ross said. "You look tired."
"I am," Tanaka sighed. "It has been a long weekend." He accepted a drink from Onna as she perched on the arm of the chair. "Thank you," He gave her a quick smile before turning back to Ross.
"I have been keeping late hours all weekend," Tanaka said. "My wife started to complain about not knowing when to cook for me, and about the messes I leave behind when I am tried."
"My wife says the same about me," Ross chuckled. "Except it's not just when I'm tired."
"Well Mrs. Tanaka was mostly upset because we had been talking about taking a vacation now that Iris has graduated, but all this work is going to mess it up. She complained about having to look after me and our daughter."
"What did you tell her?" Ross asked. "Did you put your foot down?"
"I asked her if she wanted a maid," Ito said with a chuckle of his own.
"Oh... Oh!" Ross caught on. "So how did that go over?"
"At first she liked it," Ito said. "Then I told her it would be something to do with work, and I will have to find the maid."
"And?" Ross pressed.
"I think she is suspicious of my reasons," Ito answered. "But she agreed to at least give it a try."
"Now you just need to find a youkai woman to be your maid," Ross said.
"Once I catch up with work, I'll ask Aono to find me one," Tanaka said. "What about you?"
"What about me what?" Ross questioned.
"You find a youkai to set up as a mistress yet?" Ito asked.
"Naw..." Ross said. "I think I'll get permission from the higher ups to spend a lot of cash and hire an adviser. I can keep it all professional and all that crap. Besides, maybe I can lure in one of the guys that got away Friday night. I am sure there are some that would like enough money to get out of Japan and live good for a while. I find one that is willing to sell me information, and it is a win-win all the way around." He took a swallow from his glass. "I get the information, he gets the cash, and you have one less running around in Japan.
The casual talk went on for about an hour. It was a chance to unwind after a busy couple of days. Finally Ito had relaxed enough and knew he had to get home if he was going to be ready to work on time in the morning.
Jenna was occupying Ross' lap when Ito stood up to get ready to go. He was almost to his car when he heard somebody coming following him. The small street was dark, because the organization that owned the club liked to remain unobserved. Tanaka turned to see if he could catch whomever was behind him, and was surprised to see the scantly clad Onna hurrying in his direction. She held out a closed hand to him as she came near.
"Lieutenant," Onna said in a clear voice. "You dropped this."
"Thank you," Tsukune held out his left hand.
Onna put her hand on his and opened it. Her hand was empty, but now she was close to him in the dark. Tanaka tensed.
"I'm taking a big chance," Onna said in a whisper. "But if you're serious about it, I will be your new maid."
"You?" Tanaka's voice was a harsh whisper as his eyes went wide. "You're...?"
"Yes," Onna nodded.
"I'll let you know," Tanaka whispered. "And thank you," He went on in a normal voice. "I will see you again soon."
"Good night, Lieutenant," Onna said in a clear voice once more. She turned and headed back to the private club, drawing the eyes of the few people that could see her from the public bar front.
Tanaka stood there for a moment before shaking his head and going to his car. What had just happened was strange enough to make him doubt himself for an instant. But then he remembered what had happened late Friday night. Aono Tsukune had laughed when he had seen the bargirls. Ito started to laugh as he drove off.