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 242

The hotel was a joke. It had all of ten rooms, three of which were taken up by the owner and his family. Lieutenant had only booked a room for the night because the place had the two things he wanted. In ascending priority those two things were a safe place to spend the night, and a bar. He had gone four hours after leaving that strange town that shouldn't exist before he gave in to his need for a drink.

As a final twist to his mind, or so it seemed, Tsukune had helped him take a shortcut home. Riding in the passenger seat, Tsukune had directed Ito along a narrow dirt road to where a tunnel cut into a cliff. The lieutenant was advised to not think too much about how it worked, but the tunnel somehow connected to a place that wasn't even on the same island. Passing through the brief darkness, there was a moment where it felt like the car was floating smoothly. When they drove out into daylight again, they were in an agricultural area. Tsukune gave the lieutenant directions towards the main highway before getting out of the car.

His mind felt like it ready to have a meltdown from the weight of what he had learned. There were more youkai in that one town than he had even thought possible in the whole world, and that was just a fraction of what was living in Japan. The numbers he tried to imagine were frightening. If he could point them out in some way, like foreigners that were too tall, he thought he might have felt better, but they looked Japanese, when they looked human at all. What he really felt alarmed over was the realization that they were just like normal people. They worked and they went to school. They had families just like he did. The youkai had even wanted police to protect them from criminals, just like anybody else.

It was finally sinking in. The youkai were everywhere. He had one working in his house. His daughter was dating one. They were on the police force. They ran businesses, raised children, and lived their lives all around him. He was living in a world where youkai were all around him. The more he thought about it, the more Lieutenant Tanaka Ito of the Japanese Imperial Guard came to understand, that he really needed a drink.

XxxxxxxXxxxxxX

Mizore had a few complaints about living in her home village. The first, obviously, was that Tsukune did not live with her full time. The second was how out of contact she was. There was a limited mail service available, and for express letters she could use her familiar. She was thankful that Tsukune and Kurumu sent her letters by both methods, but it was still slower than using phones, or just being able to visit like they had back at school.

Mizore's other major complaint also related to how isolated the village was. She had very little to do with her day. Because she was pregnant everybody wanted to watch out for her. Nobody wanted to ask anything from her, in case it tired her out. If anybody visited her house, they tried to do everything for her. When she was free to take care of herself, Mizore tried to keep busy. She read books. she studied the traditions and skills of her people. Mizore even went over her old class notes and texts, knowing someday she would help her children learn.

In contrast to her many frustrations about life in the village, Mizore had one shining bright point that she enjoyed. Mizore knew that when Tsukune came to see her, that there was no other reason for him to be there. He could never say "Just happen to be in the area." There would never be some other excuse for him to be in the village. When Tsukune came to see her, it would always be because he wanted to go out of his way to see her.

When Tsukune came to see her, Mizore's had little to complain about. Tsukune would offer to help her with chores, but would listen when she insisted on doing things herself. When he visited their home in her village, Mizore got to cook for him and talk with him. His visits gave her things to do. When Hiru appeared with a letter letting her know he was coming for a visit, Mizore brightened and started planning out all that she could.

When Mizore went out to the shops for meat and fresh vegetables with a glowing smile, the people around her knew her husband was coming for a visit. While there was no shortage of women envious of Mizore's good fortune, they all wished her the best. They wanted to see one of their own find happiness. They looked forward to new life being born into the village. Sooner or later, just about everybody with a single daughter in the family asked if Tsukune had any friends that might want to come for a visit.

Mizore knew she would play matchmaker for any of Tsukune friends he was willing to bring along, but she was not going to bring the subject up any time soon. When Tsukune came to see her, she did not want anybody intruding on their time together until they had had a chance to spend some time just being with each other.

Knowing Tsukune was coming to see her lifted Mizore's mood, but gave her a different challenge to face. She had to endure the wait. She tried to stay busy with what little there was for her to do, so that the time would pass more quickly, but the distractions never lasted. That was why she was pacing in circles when she finally heard the chime at her front gate.

XxxxxxX

After Lieutenant Tanaka's surprise visit, Tsukune had been tense. He could not help but wonder what kind of fallout would come from the man finding his way to the town, to the whole community of youkai living under the barrier. After his shift had ended Tsukune had gone home to tell Moka all about what had happened. While they had talked, Tsukune had started to wonder what else Lieutenant Tanaka might uncover in the course of his zealous investigations.

Tsukune decided that he should let the people closest to him to be on their guard. He didn't think Lieutenant Tanaka meant any harm, but things had a way of getting out of control sometimes. Some of his friends he could pass word to with a phone call, but there were those in his life that deserved to be told in person.

He sent Mizore a message to make sure it would be alright if he paid her a visit. He was not the least bit surprised that Hiru returned with a letter asking him to hurry. It had been sealed with a kiss. Likewise, it was not much of a surprise that Mizore came hurrying out her front door while he was still only half way up the path from the gate.

"Tsukune..." Mizore gave a happy cry as she nearly threw herself into his arms.

They shared a warm hug and a loving kiss in her front garden. After making sure Tsukune really was there, Mizore lead him into the house. She spent a little time playing hostess, dressed in one of her light yukatas as she served him refreshments. Tsukune watched her with a smile even as he told her about Lieutenant Tanaka's visit to under the barrier.

Once the refreshments were set out, Mizore sat down beside Tsukune. He reached out to cuddle her close and met no resistance. She was happy to be in his arms.

"Mizore," Tsukune said as her moved his hands over her body. "I love you."

"Oh, Tsukune..." Mizore nearly moaned, leaning in for a kiss.

Tsukune's hand slipped down to her lower abdomen. Her pregnancy was starting to show. He caressed the small, firm bulge, aware of the aura of life under his fingertips. His gentle touch sent shivers through Mizore's body.

XxxxX

It was some time later, after they had reaffirmed their passion and love for one another, that Mizore happily served lunch. She still had on her yukata, but now hanging mostly open. Tsukune, at her insistence, was in a simple kimono that was white at the shoulders but gradually darkened until it was black at the hemline.

"Tsukune..." Mizore said as she finished cleaning up after lunch. "There is something I would like to show you. If you wouldn't mind."

"Sure," Tsukune said. He came up behind her in the kitchen. She had refused his every offer to help out, but that didn't mean he couldn't be close to her. Slipping his arms around her waist as she dried off the last cup, he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. "I am all yours today."

Mizore's plan to show something to Tsukune was delayed a little while. His warmth filled her as they shared their desires and passions. She wondered if any snow woman had ever known as much love and happiness.

XxxxX

Once they were properly composed, Tsukune and Mizore went walking in the village on a little date. Their destination was near the sculpture garden. Mizore lead Tsukune to a structure, a spiraling ice wall that was made in carved sections. Each section of the wall was clear enough to see through, but because the way light played through the contours of the different surfaces, it was impossible to see what was in the center of the spiral.

"This is a memorial," Mizore explained as she lead Tsukune to the opening of the spiral. She gestured to the first section of the wall. "It tells the story of The Winter Wife."

Tsukune saw that each section of wall was a unique ice sculpture. The first section showed a young man holding a bundle of firewood. The next, which could ether be a separate piece or a continuation of the first, was of a young woman that was forming out of a snowbank looking in the direction of the young man. The third section showed the young man inside a house, tending a fire while an old man was working at a desk.

"This was raised up in the Nara Period," Mizore explained. She held Tsukune's hand and drew him slowly into the spiral. "It is one of the oldest buildings in the village."

As he walked deeper into the spiral, Tsukune watched the story of the Winter Wife unfold. The traditional style of the images did not even need narration to be understood. The sections of the wall showed the young couple coming together. It was clear that the snow maiden and the young scholar did not just rush to satisfy their curiosities. It wasn't until the fifth scene that the two even made eye contact. In the seventh section of the wall the young man gave the maiden a kiss on the cheek.

The story was laid out with attention to detail. The couple parted ways in the eighth section. The next few panels showed the snow maiden alone in the mountains, climbing to higher elevations to escape the heat of summer. A scene showed her waiting, looking down the mountain. When the snows started to fall, she began her journey back down the mountain. The young man appeared in the sculpted wall sections again. He was almost unchanged from before. The story showed the pair reuniting, sharing another innocent kiss under the winter-bare branches of a tree. Over the winter the couple found moments to share together. Tsukune stopped and directed Mizore's attention to one scene, where the couple sat together at a desk reading a scroll.

"She's helping him with his studies," Tsukune whispered into Mizore's ear, reminding her of their time studying together.

"He was teaching her to read and write," Mizore explained. "He had a passion for learning and he wanted to share it with her."

The story progressed as Tsukune and Mizore resumed walking. The winter ended and the couple parted after a gentle kiss on the lips. While she waited for winter to return again, the snow maiden practiced what the young scholar had taught her. When the seasons turned, she started back down the mountain. The couple was reunited once more. The young couple was maturing and their love grew. At the same time, the old scholar appeared occasionally in the background, growing more stoop-shouldered and weaker. Time was passing. Before the end of the third winter, the snow maiden drew the young scholar out and offered herself to him.

Tsukune pulled Mizore a little closer and gave her a smile. It hand not been until their third year together that they become lovers as well. The scenes continued the story. The passing of seasons showed the snow women, a maiden no more, slowly becoming more gravid. When winter returned there was a hesitancy in her reunion with the young scholar. A scene showed her watching her lover from when snow already covered the ground. When she finally came forward, her pregnancy impossible to hide, she had her face turned away, looking nervous, even afraid.

The young scholar embraced his lover. He kissed her and caressed her rounded body. It was clear that his love for her persisted. In a following scene, the young couple were sitting together outside while the old scholar had a visitor within the house. The visitor turned out to be a matchmaker. The old scholar was arranging a marriage for his apprentice. A section showed the formal introductions, followed by a scene where the distraught young man knelt with his pregnant lover.

It looked like the couple was doomed to heartbreak. Inside the house the old scholar was bedridden. The young scholar's betrothed helped tend to the old man. The young scholar looked out the window to where his lover stood alone in the snow. The old scholar passed away. A scene showed a priest attending the old man while the snow woman delivered her child. The rest of the winter passed as the scholar divided his time between studying and visiting with his lover. His betrothed looked after the house, but there was no affection between her and the scholar. The lovers parted with a kiss at the end of winter.

It was not until the middle of the next winter before they couple were reunited again. The snow woman had made her trip down the mountain, but had kept her distance. The young scholar had a human wife, so the snow woman was unsure of where she fit into her lover's life. She watched her lover as he continued his work, teaching village children and studying for the simple love of it. Finally, with her toddler playing in her wake, she approached him. The young man opened her arms to her and gave her a wide smile. The came together with a kiss.

It was clear that the scholar's first love was his snow woman. He had a second child with her before his human wife became pregnant. Over the years, the snow woman was able to give him three daughters, while his human wife gave him four, and one son. Each winter his children played together.

One year winter came early and stayed late. It was a harsh winter that buried houses and brought hardship and hunger to the village. When the worst storms hammered the village, the scholar's home was spared. Wild game was brought in to help feed his family. In the mild years, when crops and livestock thrived, the scholar had extra to share with his winter family.

Time continued on. The seasons and years came and went. Eventually the scholar's son followed in his father's footsteps. His human daughters were married off. One year the snow woman arrived at the beginning of winter to find the scholar and his son living alone. His human wife had passed on. While showing his age, the scholar had not lost his affection for the snow woman. At the end of winter, the scholar stepped out of the house with a pack and a walking stick. In the last sculpted section, hand in hand the snow woman and the scholar started up the mountain.

The only sharp turn within the structure was after that last carved section of the wall. An enclosed area was in the middle of the spiral. The place was a shrine. A sculpture showed the scholar sitting at a low desk with a mild smile on his ageless face. Opposite of him, sitting at another desk, was a woman with three girls standing behind her.

Tsukune felt tears filling his eyes. He held Mizore close as he studied the sculptures. Over a thousand years old, the monument was lovingly preserved. Mizore had told him the story of the Winter Wife before, but standing there, in that quiet place, Tsukune felt the weight of it all.