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 239

Kurumu had not wanted to leave Tsukune's apartment Monday morning. She did not want to be away from him, and she had not been looking forward to going back to work. In the first few hours after the attack Friday night, while she had been waiting for Tsukune to finish working, Kurumu's phones had been getting calls. He own mother had called, naturally enough, and a few cousin in and around Japan.

Her number three phone, the one she used for on site work, practically had a melt down. It was a prepaid phone she could change often if needed, so she wasn't too worried about its number getting out. As it was, just about everybody she had worked with in the last month had called or sent a text once they had seen or heard of her on the news. Her serious work phone had received a number of calls as well.

Her number two phone was the one she was careful of the number getting out, and had trusted her agent with. Kurumu had called Nori back late Firday night while still waiting for Tsukune. She had assured her agent that she was fine, and that she would have no trouble returning to work. Eventually Kurumu had simply promised to see Nori first thing Monday and then turned off her number two and number three phones fort he rest of the weekend.

It was late Monday morning when Kurumu arrived at her agent's office. The agency only had four members and a single office worker to help them. On any given day there was usually some hopeful girl, or occasionally a boy, looking eager and nervous hanging around, looking for a chance to become famous. That Monday was no exception. A middle-aged woman and her pair of boys, twins that looked almost plastic with their cute faces, was holding a thick portfolio as she waited for her turn to talk with an agent.

"Miss Kurono-san," The office assistant said as soon as Krumu had entered the small reception area. "Ms. Mori is expecting you. Please go on in."

"Thank you," Kurumu said with a polite smile and a nod. She passed through the reception area to her agent's open office door and knocked on the frame as she entered.

"Thank the gods you're here," Nori practically moaned in relief. "Come in and close the door."

"I told you I would be here," Kurumu said as she followed the other woman's instructions.

"I know," Nori nodded. "But it has been such a busy weekend. You have to tell me, Kurumu," Nori stood up behind her desk as Kurumu sat down in a chair in front of it. "What the hell where you thinking!?" She demanded in a loud voice.

"What are you talking about?" Kurumu demanded back in a firm voice.

"I have told you and told you," Nori complained. "You have to be careful. You have to remember your image." She picked up a folder from among the many bits of paper littering her usually tidy desk and flipped it open.

Kurumu found the contents of the folder amusing. Inside, clipped into place so they were clearly displayed with the folder open, were two full page pictures. They both looked a little gritty and blurry, suggesting that they had probably been clipped from another media source and enlarged. One was of her and Tsukune sharing a quick kiss in the lobby of the hotel after the attack Friday night. The other was from the group pose for the news camera, where she looked like an anime heroine, bloody from battle, holding a frying pan.

"Can I have copies of those?" Kurumu asked with a smile.

"Kurumu..." Nori groaned. She dropped the folder on her desk and sat back down. "Do you have any idea what you have done?"

"You're about to tell me," Kurumu observed.

"Damn it all," Nori smacked her hand down on her desk. "Anybody with half an eye can tell that the man you kissed was the same one you did your dance video with. Even later, when he is wearing a mask, you two are dressed so much alike that it is easy to see the connection. And the stunt with the pan... Kurumu, you are starting to look like an action heroine."

"So what?" Kurumu questioned. "I can kick ass and still be a good cook."

"I damn well hope so," Nori said with a glare. "More importantly, I hope you enjoyed your little escapade, because you have a lot of work to do."

"Oh?" Kurumu picked up.

"Yes," Nori took up a notepad. "You have requests to do interviews about what happened..."

"The investigation is still going on," Kurumu interupted. "I have been asked to not talk about what happened so it doesn't make things harder for the police."

"Good," Nori nodded, quickly writing down a note. "I will send that out as a quote. That should quiet some of the calls." She looked up again. "But now we have to deal with the bigger issues. Right now your popularity is poised to skyrocket. With a little work you will be a shining star."

"One that will be very bright," Kurumu said. "And will burn out very fast."

"Exactly," Nori replied. "So we are going to be careful."

"You have a plan?" Kurumu asked.

"We will start with a brief interview tonight..." Nori explained.

XxxX

The week turned out to be a busy one for Kurumu. Her interview was just a small appearance on a variety show, between the opening act and the main guest. She had very little to say, but what she said carried more weight for its simplicity.

"I am sorry I can't say much," Kurumu had said for the cameras and the studio audience. "But the police are still investigating and don't want me say anything that could interfere with it."

"We can respect you position," The male host of the show had said.

"What we really want to ask you about," The female co-host spoke up. "Is about the kiss everybody saw."

"I have made no secret that I want to be the best cook I can be for my sweetheart," Kurumu said with a small smile and a blush. "He is willing to risk his life as a policeman, because he believes in doing the right thing."

"It must be hard," The woman said. "Knowing the person you love could be in danger at any time."

"His passion is for helping others," Kurumu said. "Mine passion is for cooking. He believes I can be a great chef, so I am working hard so I can be. In return, he will do his best to be there to enjoy my cooking."

The variety show appearance was kept short. The public got a chance to see Kurumu being cute and sweet, without getting their fill. It was just one step in Nori's plan.

Tuesday was spent in a small office. Kurumu received intensive tutoring in how to write a professional article for publication. Wednesday and Thursday were back in the studio for another background appearance in a major drama, where she had to look natural in a kitchen scene, moving from A to B, and at some point to hold and swing a frying pan suggestive of using it as a weapon. Friday, Kurumu had a role as a nameless helper for one of two well known chefs on a cooking competition show.

XxxxX

The following Monday saw a modest newspaper have a sudden upswing in popularity. Kurumu had submitted an article reviewing the dishes from the masquerade ball. She had been careful to add some observations about the decorations, costumes, and general atmosphere. A mention of the coming article had been printed in the Sunday edition of the paper. The article itself was printed in the Monday edition, and reprinted in the Tuesday edition by popular demand.

A cooking magazine bought the article from the newspaper, and then paid Kurumu to rewrite and expand it. Following Nori's advice, Kurumu was careful to use a writing style that was humble, admitting that she was only getting started on a career in professional cooking. Professional critics had to be gentle to keep from looking cruel to the up-and-coming talent that had just been through so much.

The article was a part of Nori's plan. While Kurumu's popularity gave her selling power, Nori was using it to promote her talent as more than a cute face or a quick marketing gimmick. Carefully used, Kurumu's popularity could be the perfect tool to boost her career with long lasting support.

XxxxXxxxX

Moka was enjoying her new status as Tsukune's fiance. While he was off working, she went out to do her shopping. The people she conducted her business with, nice people she liked sharing the neighborhood with, were quick to notice her new ring. At least the women were. Moka felt a renewed sense of happiness and excitement with every congratulations that was offered. She did have to explain that the wedding would not be for years yet, because she and Tsukune both wanted to finish university first.

Moka did not mind having to wait to marry Tsukune. She didn't even mind telling others about the wait. Waiting until after getting their degrees was an idea that was met with approval. It felt good, Moka decided, to be able to talk with her neighbors and to be accepted by them. The apothecary where she purchased the herbs for her baths was one of the places she felt the most welcome. The husband was always experimenting with tea recipes, and Moka was invited to linger and have a cup whenever the shop was not too busy. As she enjoyed a cup of tea Wednesday afternoon with the couple, the wife shared some of the things she had gone through while waiting for her own wedding.

While waiting to marry Tsukune was something Moka thought she could tolerate, she still wished that she could hurry the process along somehow. Now that she was engaged, new things were starting to stand out to her. She was sure that the local news stand had not suddenly changed which magazines it stocked or displayed, but now how many of them that were dedicated to bridal fashions and other wedding related things were impossible to miss. It was as if being engaged made her future wedding in to some kind of craving. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted it. Moka was able to put the subject from her mind as long as she was distracted, but reminders just happened to be everywhere.

It was like realizing she was in love all over again. A bouquet of flowers made her think of floral arrangements. Am advertisement for a new restaurant inspired speculation about wedding feasts. Each thought, each idea that Moka found herself thinking about made her wonder, what would Tsukune think...

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Tsurara was happy to have her daughter safely back in the village. Mizore may not be showing her pregnancy yet, but that did not change the fact that she was carrying a baby. Their people seldom traveled once a child was expected. Tsurara had been worried that something would happen to her daughter and the baby would be lost. But Mizore had returned safe and sound, and full of news.

Tsurara allowed her daughter a few hours to recover from her trip, but then it was time to find out everything. Mizore quickly told her mother about the attack at the masquerade. She explained how it had been defeated, and that Fairy Tail had taken a major loss. The fact that Tsukune had helped stop the organization that had tried to force its way into the village would boost his popularity with Mizore's people.

Mizore gave her mother a summery of what had happened at the ball, but then moved on to what was really important. She showed her mother the ring that had been placed on her hand by Tsukune himself. She spoke of how Tsukune had formalized their relationship.

Tsurara was impressed and even moved by what Mizore told her. She could hardly wait to tell her friends. Tsukune had taken Mizore, his Winter Wife, to see his parents and had acknowledged her and their child. It was something completely unheard of. It was the kind of romantic event that Snow Maidens could have ever only dreamed of in the past. It was wonderful news that would have to be shared.

XxxxXxxX

Goto Eriko liked having Kiyo around. Her son's girlfriend was calm and polite, and helped even-out the male:female ratio of the house. As an added bonus, it turned out that the young woman was very serious when it came to cleaning. She came from a country village where she was used to fresh air and clean well water, Kiyo had explained. This had given her a sensitive sense of smell. She had no trouble at all, when helping Eriko with the housework, finding her youngest son's stashed shirt that had become stained with something purple.

Kiyo was happy to have the approval of Nagi's mother. She felt some guilt about hiding the truth about her nature from the woman, but saw it as necessary if she was going to be with Nagi. Besides, if nobody was harmed by it, there was nothing evil about keeping a secret.

Kiyo would not be staying long with Nagi and his family. She would return to her own home soon, unless she was able to find a job in the area. She wanted to find something better than what her sister was doing, and not just because her sister had skipped going to high school. Kiyo wanted to find a way to support herself while living reasonable near to Nagi. Every morning she went out to look for a job, hoping to find the right opportunity.

In contrast to her frustrating mornings, Kiyo's favorite part of the day came in the afternoon. Each day Nagi's mother would meet with her friends to talk about their shared interest, television dramas. There was a little time each day, while Nagi's mother was out, his father was at work, and his little brother was still in school. That was Kiyo's time to spend with Nagi.

Xx

Nagi wondered how Tsukune managed to cope so well with the women in his life. For himself, Kiyo was more than enough to make him feel nervous and excited and confused. Friday afternoon, after his mother had gone out to gossip over everything with her friends, Nagi had thought to raid the kitchen for a snack, and had walked into a surprise that stopped him in his tracks.

Kiyo had decided to surprise Nagi. She knew of his habit of raiding the kitchen and had wanted have a little fun with him while she could. Wearing a short dress, she had slipped off her panties and transformed herself. When Nagi came around the corner, he saw his girlfriend's long serpentine body half coiled under her as she prepared a snack for him.

"Oh," Kiyo said with a small start. "You caught me." She started towards him, he lower body slithering across the kitchen floor.

"What are you doing?" Nagi asked.

"Well..." Kiyo offered him a small smile. "I knew you would be looking for a snack. So I thought I might have one ready for you." She had moved close enough that she could reach out and put her arms around his neck in a loose hug. "Just to show you that I care."

"You don't have to do that," Nagi said as he slipped his arms around her.

"But I want to," Kiyo said with a tiny pout. Her voice dropped into a near whisper as she moved even closer to her boyfriend. "I want to do things for you, when I can..." She gave him a light kiss. "Because you are very..." Another kiss. "Special to me."

"I'm glad," Nagi said in a low voice. He gave her a gentle peck on the lips. "Because you are special to me as well." He gave her a longer kiss.

"Nagi..." Kiyo breathed.

"Kiyo!" Eriko called out as she opened the front door to the house. "I forgot to ask you something."

Eriko knew that her son's girlfriend had been in the kitchen when she had gone out, so that was where she went to find her. When she reached the kitchen she found Kiyo and Nagi both there. The couple were standing two meters apart and looking away from each other while blushing.

"Oh..." Eriko stopped short. She could feel herself starting to blush as well. "I didn't mean to interrupt..."

XxxxxxxXxxxxxxX

Tsukune was not sure how he should feel about how things were shaping up. While he was on duty, he had pulled rank and pumped up the intimidation to get Officer Weak Stomach to actually go out on patrol. Tsukune had pointed out that there were any number of shops that would be likely have a water closet available should the officer have need of one. Amazingly, no further episodes of intestinal distress were mentioned.

While he was on duty, Tsukune was able to hear what had been happening around the town, and up at the school. Word of the fight with Fairy Tail at the ball had gotten around. The Student Police were showing a boost in new membership. The Drama Club was also enjoying a boost in popularity. Of course if he was close enough to the school to hear the gossip of what was going on, he was also close enough to the school to be in easy reach of the Board Chairman.

After his shift was over, Tsukune was careful not to linger in the area. He headed for home as quickly as safety and dignity allowed. He didn't want to get drawn in to some plot of the Board Chairman if it could be avoided, because he had things he wanted to take care in his own life. Also, it would be nice to be with Moka.

Tsukune had almost made it home before something came up. He had reached the safety of his own parking garage without any problems. Tsukune had even gone up the stairs and was walking down the hallway to his apartment before life caught up to him. And then his phone rang.

There were few people that ever called him. Tsukune stopped in mid stride. Tsukune knew from the ring tone that it was a call was not from someone in his family, or from Kurumu. He pulled out his phone. Checking the display he saw that it was from an unknown number.

"Moshi moshi," Tsukune said, making an effort to sound positive.

"Good morning," A woman's voice spoke to him. "I am trying to reach Aono Tsukune."

"This is him," Tsukune replied.

"Oh excellent," The woman's voice sounded excited. "I am Kimyona Josei from Vivi Magazine. Mr. Aono, if it is possible, I would like to meet with you to discuss an article I am writing. I believe that you could help ensure that my information is accurate. I want to provide our readers the best information possible about what happened last Friday night."

"I am sorry," Tsukune said as calmly as he could. "But because of the ongoing investigation, I am not free to discuss any of the events of that night."

"Oh I understand," Josei said with only the smallest note of disappointment in her voice. "But there are some things that I am sure you could talk about. Vivi Magazine takes pride in its coverage of social events, fashion trends, and popular topics with young adults across Japan. As I understand it, excluding the incident that you are not free to speak about, that the event was celebration. There were the daughters and sons of some prominent families in attendance. If you could meet with me, I would like to ask you about the fashions and looks that were favored by the other guests, and maybe see if you could tell me who some of the other participants were."

"I am sorry," Tsukune said. "But I am not free to share any information with you. Have a good morning." He ended the call with a sigh.

Tsukune realized that the woman was looking for gossip, and probably mostly about Kurumu. Kurumu had been visible on the news after the attack. Some research would lead any reporter to her first profession appearance as a dancer and sales tool for the dance machine company. That would quickly show a connection to Tsukune. While he did not want to hide his relationship with Kurumu, he had no intention of sharing any information with anybody that had no reason to intrude in their personal business.

Tsukune tucked his phone away and headed for his apartment. He wanted to give his things over to the Me sister to wash, have a nice breakfast with Ruby, and then see if Moka wanted to go shopping. Idly, as he opened his door, Tsukune wondered if maybe he should get a new phone number.