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 246

"ACHhoo!" Tsukune sneezed so hard the muscles in his shoulders ached.

"Bless you," Ruby said as she offered him a tissue. "Are you alright?"

"Kurumu's talking about me," Tsukune said.

"How can you tell?" Ruby asked.

"I can tell by what she is feeling," Tsukune tapped his chest in answer. "Whomever she is with, they are talking about the time she captured."

"Is she alright?" Ruby was more worried about her master than his lover, but Kurumu was still her friend.

"I would say so," Tsukune said as he cocked his head to one side, as if listening to something. "She seems to be happy about something as well."

"Who do you think she is talking to?" Ruby asked.

"Probably her mother," Tsukune said, turning his attention back to the old book he had received from the temple. "We have a date tomorrow after all."

Tsukune had made it a point to learn what he could about his potential power starting back in his second year of high school. The book Lord Gray had provided had included lessons on how to meditate and how to focus personal power. That book and the one from the temple complemented each other in a strange sort of way. Lord Gray's book seemed to be written in a dry, technical sort of way, while the temple book was put together with a blend of philosophy and spiritualism along with colorful observations and folk lore.

Tsukune's studies had two points of focus. The most important was being able to control himself, up to and including binding his power in some way, as the holy lock once had. The other thing he was hoping to learn was meaningful ways to use his power. He didn't think he could every be returned to human, and did not want to distract himself with even trying. He had accepted the loss for what it was and concentrated on dealing with what he had now.

The scene in Tsukune's den was a quiet one. He was sitting at his desk studying his arcane books and notes. Ruby was sitting on the other side of the desk with a sewing basket darning stockings. Moka had been visiting for a while, but had decided to return to her own apartment. She had been starting to give him the glazed over looks that spoke of a desire to bite him. Left alone with her master, Ruby had a small smile on her face. Her basket was filled with intimate things she intended to work on, hoping he would notice.

Tsukune was enjoying the quiet moment. He knew that if Inari was off work she would have found an excuse to hang around, and that would have been fine. Along with Ruby, Inari was kind of like an extension of his budding family. Until the next problem came along, Tsukune fully intended to take pleasure in hanging out with those close to him.

XxxxxXxxxxX

Kasumi returned home feeling shaken. Her encounter with Ageha and Kurumu had been an eye opener. For the first time in a long time, Kasumi wondered about the school she had sent her only son off to. She remembered how relieved and excited she had been when her husband had found a way for Tsukune to attend any high school, and wondered if just maybe she had been a little too relieved.

Kasumi pondered the issue as she worked to make supper. Tsukune had originally described the school as being a place for hard-luck students like himself; a school of second chances. At first the students were just having problems with studying, or so the story had gone. It had changed somewhere along the way to make the school sound like a place for students with all kinds of special situations. Kurumu even admitted to nearly skipping high school all together to become an idol.

But now Kasumi had learned even more about the school than Tsukune had ever told her. She already knew that there had been some violent students getting into fights, but he had never told her that there had been a problem with gangs. Kurumu had not told Kasumi everything, but it was clear that the gangs had been a problem, until Tsukune had helped everybody stand up to them. Ageha's story of the students following Tsukune's orders just did not fit with the image Kasumi held of her own son.

She tried to imagine what could have possibly happened at that school. By the time supper was ready, Kasumi thought she might have an idea of how things had gone. It started with Tsukune, a quiet, normal boy suddenly going to a school far from home. He had made friends, but at the same time he had been bullied. His friends had been bullied too. Kasumi knew her son would want to stand up for his friends even if he wouldn't stand up for himself. But once he stood up to one bully, he would be forced to keep it up. Not only would he have to keep the first bully in line, but there would be others.

It would have been a natural progression. Kasumi had seen it in more than a few dramas. By just wanting to do the right thing for his friends, Tsukune would have been cast into the middle of situations where he had to be the hero. Kasumi imagined her son becoming the school guardian, being respected and maybe even a little feared, as he walked to class with his uniform half buttoned. With Moka and the others with him, it would be kind of romantic in a dangerous sense.

Kasumi shook her head with a sigh. No, the idea of her son in a situation like that just didn't seem possible. She knew she was going to just have to sit him down and try to get a better explanation out of him.

XxxxxxXxxxxxX

"Mother..." Kurumu called out from the kitchen. "Tsukune will be here in a minute. Are you ready?"

"Yes, yes," Ageha called back as she came out of her bedroom. She moved to where her daughter could see her and struck a pose. "How do I look?"

Ageha, for a change, was actually concerned about her appearance. She had decided to dress down, instead of dressing as if she was on her way to a party. Absent were her usual evening gowns and pricy accessories. For her family dinner with her daughter and Tsukune, the succubus had chosen a modest outfit. Ageha was wearing a summer dress that covered her from shoulder to knees, showing only a small amount of cleavage with its open neck line. The dress hugged the curves of her body gently, showing off her sexy figure without looking like she was demanding to be noticed.

Kurumu looked her mother over and gave a nod of approval. For a family dinner, the simple dress was a good choice. Kurumu's own outfit, a sky blue blouse with a royal blue skirt, was also supposed to be casual and modest.

Kurumu had thought hard about how she wanted to have her family dinner with Tsukune to go. She could have gone out with him and her mother somewhere, but decided against that. It had only taken a single phone call to get Tsukune to agree with her. It took only a little effort to get her mother to fall into line, and then the elder succubus only really put her heart into it after meeting with Kasumi.

Kurumu decided that it would be, as Tsukune had suggested, a family dinner. To her mind a family dinner should be a home cooked dinner, so she had decided that she would cook for Tsukune, her mother, and herself. Tsukune had accepted her decision easily. Rather tickled by the whole idea, Ageha had also finally given in to Kurumu's plan. From there it had just been a matter of settling on the smaller details.

Kurumu had decided on a more simple meal, instead of something big and fancy. She had a nice roast, steamed rice, and steamed vegetables. There would be a single bottle of chilled wine available, mostly for Ageha's sake, but Kurumu thought she might have a glass as well. Kurumu was just pulling the last dishes from the oven when she felt Tsukune arrive in the area. His new mastery of the jumping points made it easy for him to get around when he wanted to.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ageha asked as Kurumu was putting the final touches for the meal together.

"Thank you," Kurumu replied. "But I'm almost done."

"You know," Ageha said thoughtfully. "We could hire a maid, so at least you would have someone to clean up..."

"I don't think so," Kurumu brushed the idea aside. "I like taking care of my own kitchen. Besides, not only do we have a few secrets we would like to keep..." Kurumu's voice dropped to a low, near growl. "I do not want some woman that might be around when I could have Tsukune alone."

Ageha had a sudden fit of giggles over her daughter's fierce seriousness. She knew Kurumu meant exactly what she had said, and could not blame her one bit. She did wish a that the younger succubus had shown some of that same serious possessiveness maybe a year or so sooner however. If she had, Ageha wondered if maybe Tsukune could have already married into the family.

Ageha's train of though was broken by the chime of the door bell.

"Tsukune..." Kurumu gave a little cheer. She hurried to answer the door as she pulled off her apron. She paused in front of the door to take a calming breath, and then reached out to open it.

"Tsukune," Kurumu gave him a bright smile. "It is good to see you. I am so glad you could make it. Please, come in."

"It is good to see you too," Tsukune said as he entered. He was holding a bouquet of flowers in each hand. "I have something for you," Tsukune held out the larger of his offerings to her.

"Thank you," Kurumu ignored the flowers for a moment to hug Tsukune.

"You have perfect timing," Ageha observed.

"I just know how dependable Kurumu is in the kitchen," Tsukune replied.

"Oh, you..." Kurumu let go of him and took her flowers.

"He is a treasure," Ageha said to her daughter.

"Mother," Tsukune held out his second bouquet to Ageha. "I am glad you could join us tonight."

"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Ageha moved in to accept the flowers.

The flowers were a nice thought, but Ageha was surprised by what Tsukune did next. He held his arms open to her for a hug. In the past she had always been the one to latch on to him, usually breasts first. She stepped into his warm hug happily.

"Tsukune," Kurumu scolded in a light voice. "Now don't you go trying anything with my mother."

"Kurumu," Ageha pouted as she let go of Tsukune. "You are so cold. Mothers need love too."

"That's right," Tsukune nodded. "Besides, you don't have any room to be getting upset about me giving your mother a hug, after the way you sat on my father's lap."

"Tsukune..." Kurumu protested.

"Kurumu..." Ageha gasped. She shook a finger at her daughter. "You're supposed to save the special services for after the champagne."

"Mother..." Kurumu complained.

XxxxX

The family dinner went well, Ageha thought. The food was perfect, of course. The company was wonderful. She liked the way Tsukune never acted as is he expected something from ether of his companions. It was his way of just being respectful of others regardless of who or what they were that Ageha thought was the most endearing thing about him. Is didn't hurt that he was good looking as well.

While they were eating, they talked about any number of little things. They all had stories about their jobs. And of course Kurumu and Tsukune had common experiences to reminisce over. When Kurumu mentioned running into Tsukune's mother, he almost choked in surprise, but did not get excited over it.

"So that was who you were talking with yesterday," Tsukune said with a slow nod of his head.

"How did you know I was talking to someone?" Kurumu demanded.

"Because you were talking about what happened in second year," Tsukune touched the place over where he had been stabbed while rescuing her. "That was a very bad time, and every time you talk about it I can feel it."

"I'm sorry..." Kurumu began.

"I am not," Tsukune cut her off. "Kurumu, you were an important friend to me before that night happened. With all that you and I shared before and after that night... What happened between us because of that night... Kurumu, I love you. I would have not been able to admit to that so easily if I could not feel your love for me as well."

"Oh..." Ageha felt herself tearing up.

"I wish you had never been captured," Tsukune went on. "That you had never been hurt. But what we share because of what had happened is never something to feel sorry about."

"Tsukune..." Kurumu gave him a look that was filled with emotions.

"So when you were talking with my mother," Tsukune went on before Kurumu could be tempted to act on some of what she was feeling. "You were obviously talking about what had happened, so I am guessing you were talking about our relationship."

"Yes," Ageha spoke up. "She seemed to think I should be upset you were so accepting of Kurumu's attention but were not planning on marrying her."

Kurumu pouted a little about the sudden shift in the conversation. She wanted Tsukune to tell her more about how much he loved her.

"I'm surprised you are taking it so well myself," Tsukune admitted with an uncomfortable look.

"Tsukune," Ageha sighed. "Honey, I love how sweet you are, but you keep forgetting who you are talking about."

"Excuse me?" Tsukune questioned.

"Dear," Ageha explained. "I have men tell me they love me all the time. Some may even mean it when they say it. They may even think they can prove it just by giving me presents." She expression darkened a little. "But how many men do you think would stick around if they knew what I was? How many men would ever really go out of their way to help me if I was in trouble."

"No," Ageha sighed. "I've looked for a man that can truly love me. I was even married, five times."

"What?" Kurumu demanded. "When?"

"1981, 83, 84, and 87," Ageha said with a little wave of her hand before continuing her train of thought with Tsukune. "My marriages never lasted. The first was over before the ink dried on the marriage license, because I told him the truth about what I was on our wedding night. The annulment was instantaneous, because we had not had time to file the paperwork." She gave a small sigh. "But back then I was still in love with the idea of being married. I married a business man, but he divorced me to marry an investor's daughter. The mobster tried to use me for some scam and took off to leave me with his debts. My forth marriage lasted until we got back to the hotel, where his wife and parents found us." She gave a bitter laugh.

"My last marriage was to an older man who seemed nice," Ageha gave a small, sad shake of her head. "It turned out that had a... a sickness. He had turned to black magic to look for what he wanted. He knew what I was, but pretended he didn't. He was a good enough actor that he was able to keep me interested. It was after we were married that I found out what was going on."

"It turned out that he was sick in more than one way," Ageha frowned. "The sickness of his body claimed him quickly after we were married. It was a new disease that made him weak against everything else. While I was looking after his house while he was in the hospital, I found out about his other sickness" Her face took on an expression of disgust. "I won't bother you with the details. I took what I found and gave it to the police. Before he could go to trial, I paid him a visit in the hospital." Her expression became a mix of satisfaction and cruelty. "The doctors said that the shock of me confronting him and demanding a divorce, in his weak condition, was enough to give him a heart attack."

"Now I am just a pour widow," Ageha said with a smug smile. "Forced to make my way in the world without ever truly knowing love."

"Mother..." Kurumu's expression bordered on the horrified.

"I did finally find a nice enough man to give me Kurumu," Ageha went on in a more normal voice. "He was a business man from overseas. He was handsome and strong, and already married. It was a cold marriage that he held on to for his family's sake." Ageha gave a heavy sigh. "He came to Japan twice after we had first met. I was looking forward to telling him I was carrying his child when I received a letter. His wife was kind enough to write to tell me he had died in a car accident. He had told her all about me. It turned out that nether of them had really loved the other, and that they both had outside affairs."

"I am sorry things didn't work out," Tsukune said.

"It's fine," Ageha sighed. "I have Kurumu from him." She brightened, smiling at Tsukune. "And now I have you."

"Mother's told me about father before," Kurumu said to Tsukune before looking at her mother. "But you never mentioned the rest."

"Well none of that is really important," Ageha dismissed. "Is it Tsukune?"

"You don't need to drag him into this," Kurumu protested.

"I think," Tsukune spoke up before things could get heated. "That what is important is family." He picked up his cup of tea and held it up, offering a toast. "To family."

Ageha and Kurumu raised their drinks as well. The toast was corny, but well timed. It broke the tension of the moment before mother and daughter could start arguing.

"So back to what I was saying," Ageha resumed. She was accustomed to holding conversations where drinking, laughing, and other distractions were normal. "I would be very happy if you two got married, Tsukune, but that is not important. What matters is that you love each other, and that you will always do your best for her."

"Yes we do love each other," Tsukune said as he looked towards Kurumu, feeling her happy glow within at his words.

"So why don't I leave you two alone," Ageha said as she stood up form the table. "So you can get busy on making our family bigger."

"Mother!" Tsukune and Kurumu protested together.