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 258

Tsukune and Inari were called in for a meeting after they returned to Japan. Nether of them were surprised, because they still had to turn their false passports and other things issued for the mission. In fact, the first part of the meeting went exactly as expected. Then, as they were being debriefed, the encounter in the pool was mentioned.

Tsukune explained to Inari later that what he reported was mostly something he thought up during the long flight home. He reported that he and Inari had both thought about enjoying the pool, and then realized that if they had such an interest, then there was a chance that the princess and her husband would as well. They had gone out to the pool during the day to examine the area, and then gone out later to turn out the lights and make sure the area was safe. By acting the part of newlyweds themselves, not only did Tsukune and Inari appear unsuspicious, they created a setup that the princess and her husband could make use of without standing out much. Tsukune gave most of the credit for the plan to Inari, who was too surprised to do anything but modestly accept his praise.

A second, smaller meeting took place after the first. Inari and Tsukune sat down with Lieutenant Tanaka in a Imperial Guard headquarters break room. People were visiting to get cups of coffee or tea, but nobody lingered enough to intrude on the trio's private conversation.

"I am glad the mission was a success," Tanaka said after a sip of his coffee. "You both did well, and the people in charge are aware of it."

"Thank you," Tsukune said with a small nod.

"Glad we could be part of it," Inari added.

"I am sure you know why you were included in the mission," Tanaka went on.

"Yes," Tsukune replied.

"So were there any...?" Tanaka asked.

"Quite a few," Tsukune said. "But none of them tried anything."

"That is a relief," Ito gave a small sigh.

"We keep telling you," Inari said, "That youkai want a normal life just as much as anybody else."

"I understand that," Ito replied with a small frown. "But I also know that there are a few out there that don't, and some of them can do a lot of damage if we are not prepared for it."

"Better to be over prepared than to be caught off guard," Tsukune nodded.

"I am glad you understand," Tanaka said with a nod.

"Well you know us," Inari said with a smile. "We'll do what we can to keep everybody as safe as possible. After all, we all want to protect Japan, because it is our home."

"And speaking of home," Ito said with a small smile. "I am sure you are ready to see you own. Again, thank you for your hard work. Dismissed."

XxxxX

"You know you're being cruel to her don't you?" Moka asked as she cuddled up beside Tsukune in her bed.

"What do you mean?" Tsukune asked.

He had, among other things, just finished telling Moka about his trip. When they had not been distracting each other, he had told her about his assignment. Moka kept asking him questions, drawing out more details. He had not tried to keep anything a secret, but some of the things he had thought of as unimportant seemed to be what Moka wanted to know the most about. It was after hearing how he had been so physically close to Inari, without giving in to the other woman's desires, that Moka had finally spoken up.

"Inari is your sworn follower," Moka reminded Tsukune. "But she also loves you in her own way. Being so close to her while keeping yourself so out of reach must be tormenting."

"I understand what you are saying," Tsukune said, snuggling with the beautiful woman beside him. "But..." He shrugged. "We work together."

"I know," Moka said in a soft voice as she drifted towards contented sleep. "It just seems cold..." a yawn escaped her. "... 'specially after what she's lost..."

"Huh?" Tsukune blinked. That last part didn't make sense to him at all. He looked at Moka for an answer, but saw that she was already asleep with a small smile on her lips. He watched, feeling a sense of happiness from being beside her as sleep crept up on him. He tried to file the comment away for the morning, but it was misplaced as he slipped into the world of dreams.

XxxxxX

Tsukune and Inari returned to school in time to prepare for finals. They had to ask classmates and teachers for information covered while they had been away. The teachers gave short answers, understanding that the students were also working professionals that had only missed classes because of orders from above. The classmates were happy to help out, especially the ones that wanted to hear all about the mission to protect the princess.

For obvious reasons there were things that Tsukune and Inari were not willing to talk about. While some secrecy was required, it wasn't a problem. Their classmates were more interested in the things they could talk freely about. They asked about the places that they had visited, the sights and sites. Tsukune was asked about how it felt to travel under cover, and about challenges to keeping his cover while doing his job. Inari was asked about the sights and sites as well. While she had not been free to do any shopping for souvenirs she had filled her cellphone with pictures, which she shared freely.

Of course Inari was questioned by several female classmates about her experiences undercover as well. Specifically, they asked about her time working close undercover with Tsukune, whom they all saw as her boyfriend. The story of the night in the pool was a big hit among them.

Tsukune and Inari traded stories for class notes. They spent time with their classmates studying for finals. While he was with Inari, Tsukune was able to relax and enjoy her company. With their classmates around, he and Inari were two normal people among their peers, and that was something that a part of Tsukune still craved.

Later, after the studying was done for the night, they returned home together. Before parting ways for the night, Inari embraced Tsukune tightly, wanting to keep him to herself a moment longer. Tsukune accepted her attention and hugged her back. At her door, he gave her a gentle good-night kiss.

"Inari," Tsukune spoke in a low voice. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask me anything, Tsukune," Inari said with a small smile and a light blush coloring her cheeks.

"I know it cannot be easy for you to always be so close to me," Tsukune began.

"I don't mind it," Inari pulled one of her arms from around him and reached up to touch his face.

"But I don't want to take advantage of you," Tsukune continued. "I want what we have to be fair to you."

"Tsukune..." Inari felt her heart flutter.

"Inari," Tsukune asked in a gentle voice. "What have you lost by being close to me?"

Inari froze. Her entire body went stiff and her breath caught in her through. Her heart clenched and her insides felt cold fear stab through her. It was only for an instant, but she knew instantly that the damage had been done. She felt Tsukune tense up and knew that he had noticed her reaction. She could not deny that she had lost something, but she didn't know if she had the courage to answer his question.

It all came back to her. For more than a year she had been keeping a secret from the man she loved; from the man she had sworn to follow. All of her reasoning flashed through her mind. Her fears were brought up in her mind where she couldn't ignore them.

"I think you should come inside," Inari said. "This might take some time."

"Alright," Tsukune agreed.

Tsukune followed Inari into her apartment. She realized that she should be happy about that, but she wasn't. Running on automatic, she offered him a place to sit at her table and started to prepare tea. Tsukune waited patiently as she stalled for the time she needed to get her thoughts in order. Finally she just couldn't take the silence any more.

"I can never have children," Inari blurted out as she stood over the kettle waiting for the water to boil.

"What?" Tsukune questioned.

"You asked me what I had lost," Inari said. "I can never be a mother. I can never give you children. I can never... Never..." Inari struggled to at least appear calm as her body started to tremble.

"How..." Tsukune started to ask.

"At our prom," Inari answered. "When we were attacked. When we were both stabbed." she felt the tears starting to roll down her face.

"I... I knew that you had been hurt, but I hadn't known..." Tsukune tried to find the right thing to say as he got to his feet.

"I didn't want you to know," Inari said. "When we found out... When the doctor told me what happened, I asked everybody to keep it a secret."

"Why?" Tsukune asked. "No. I'm sorry. It is none of my business..."

"No," Inari cut him off. "Now that it's come out I want to tell you." She turned off the stove and turned away from the steaming kettle. Facing Tsukune she continued. "When it first happened... When I first knew what had happened, I didn't want you to know, because I didn't want you to feel bad about it. Later, I was embarrassed about it. I was finally getting close to you, as more than just someone you worked with, but there was a piece of my body missing. Tsukune, I was afraid that if you knew... If you knew that I was no longer whole, as a woman, that you would never see me as a woman. I wanted, I still want you to love me. I want you to see me as a woman and desire me, but if I can never have children, I was afraid you would never accept me in the way I want."

"Inari..." Tsukune spoke her name as he moved towards her.

Hearing him say her name in such a caring way thrilled her, but it also sent a spike of cold through her. She found herself stepping into his embrace without thinking. Inari clutched at Tsukune and held him close.

"I'm sorry," Inari whimpered. "I'm so sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for," Tsukune said. He held her close and spoke in a gentle voice. "I should be the one apologizing to you. If I had not..."

"No," Inari cut him of in a voice on the edge of panic. "Please, Tsukune, don't blame yourself. Don't even try to take even a single piece of the blame for what happened."

"But..." Tsukune tried to argue.

"No buts," Inari said with determination. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. You had no way of knowing your... You had no way to know someone was going to attack you, or what kind of attack it was going to be."

"I am still unhappy that you got hurt," Tsukune said. "And I am sorry that... That there wasn't more that could be done."

"Thank you," Inari said.

"If there is something..." Tsukune began, hoping to comfort her.

"You better not finish that," Inari cut him off.

"Why is that?" Tsukune asked.

"Because of what might happen if you do," Inari answered. "One of the reasons I never told you before was because I was afraid of what would happen... I was afraid that if you felt bad, if you felt guilty, that I might use what happened to take advantage of you."

"Oh," Tsukune realized that she had put a lot of thought into it all.

"Tsukune," Inari explained. "I love you, and I want you to love me too. As much as I want to be your lover, I want you to chose to be with me because it would make us both happy, and not because you felt bad about something you had no control over. I don't want to do anything to make you love me if it can turn into something you may regret or resent me for later."

"I understand," Tsukune said, because he did. There had been times three years ago when he had though about giving in to Mizore or Kurumu just to know what it would be like, but he had held off because he didn't want to do something like that without having real feelings to support it.

Tsukune held Inari for a while, letting her cry against his chest. She needed his understanding and support, and it cost him nothing to give it. Helping and supporting each other was what people who care about each other did after all.

"Tsukune..." Inari spoke up after a while. "Does... Do.. Does this change anything? Does it change the way you see me..."

"No," Tsukune cut her of with a light kiss. "You are still you, Inari. You are still the same person I care about. Nothing has changed."

"Thank you," Inari sniffed.

XxXxX

After holding each other for a little longer, Tsukune and Inari shared one last kiss for the night. Seeing that she was going to be alright, he left her and headed for his own apartment. He had gained an insight that he wanted to think about.

Because of the delay at Inari's apartment, in addition to the study group with his classmates, Tsukune got home late that evening. Because he had a lot to think about, he only shared a little small talk with Ruby as she served him supper. He had not been completely honest with Inari, because what she had told him had changed things. Tsukune just wanted to take the time to consider how much difference those changes meant.

Because of the differences in their schedules, and the impending finals, it was two days later when Tsukune had the opportunity to talk with Moka. He knew he could have spoken to her sooner by simply knocking on her door at any time, but he wanted to respect her space and allow her the time for her own needs. Wanting to talk with Moka was not an emergency, and having the extra time to think helped him to be calm and clear headed.

When the time came, he and Moka sat down to supper together in her apartment. Outer Moka still enjoyed cooking for Tsukune, and Inner Moka was getting much better at cooking, even if she occasionally grumbled about how it was unnecessary for her to bother with it. After eating together and catching up on the casual details of their lives, Tsukune cleaned up while Moka watched him with a smile. Finally he dried off the last dish and put it away. Wiping off his hands he turned to Moka, ready to take charge of the moment.

"Moka, there is something I would like to talk to you about," Tsukune said in a firm voice.

"What is it Tsukune?" Moka replied, hoping her concern didn't show. Whenever Tsukune turned serious without warning a small fear within her heart jumped up. She was always worried that some small part of him still resented what had happened because of her and that some day she would lose him because of it.

Tsukune hung up the dish towel and moved over to Moka. He took her hand and kissed it gently. Tsukune had seen the ripple of pink and silver in her hair and the way her eyes had changed color, and knew that she was worried, so he wanted to sooth her a little before sharing his thoughts.

"I love you Moka," Tsukune said. "Never doubt that for a moment."

"I know you do," Moka said with a small smile, even though she still felt tense. "And I love you too, Tsukune."

"What I want to talk about with you," Tsukune explained. "Is that Inari finally told me what happened to her."

"Oh.." Moka felt a moment of relief, followed by uncertainty. She did not know where Tsukune was going with the conversation. "Maybe we could sit down..." Moka suggested.

It was a easy way to stall the conversation for a shot moment so she could gather her thoughts. When Tsukune sat down with her, still holding her hand, Moka felt a little better. Whatever was going through his mind, it was clear that he still cared about her, and wanted to be with her.

"You said she told you what happened," Moka resumed the conversation once they were seated together.

"Yes," Tsukune gave her a nod. "And I want to thank you for supporting her."

"Tsukune..." Moka blinked.

"She told me that she was worried about what I would think of her once I found out that she could not have children," Tsukune continued. "And let it slip that you and the others knew what had happened. I remember after finding out that Mizore was pregnant the first time, that you said you couldn't tell me why you had given her permission. You were protecting Inari's secret. You were being a good friend to her, and I am glad. Thank you for that, Moka."

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you everything," Moka said. "But it was her secret to tell."

"I understand," Tsukune nodded. "And with what Inari told me, and what you said before, even what Mizore and Kurumu were willing to tell me, it makes more sense now."

"It does?" Moka asked.

"Yes," Tsukune nodded. "I still wish you and Mizore had talked with me before making a decision that effected me, but I understand a little of what you must have been feeling. I remember all the times I was afraid I was going to lose you; that I was going to lose any of you. I am glad that you love me enough that you wanted... I am glad that you love me."

"I'm glad you understand," Moka said. "I did not like keeping such a secret from you."

"It's alright," Tsukune smiled. He leaned in and gave her a kiss.

Moka kissed him back. With a possible problem in their relationship worked out, she wanted the physical closeness that showed that he wanted to be with her. She didn't say it often, or even like to think of it to herself, but Moka was happy that Tsukune was not afraid of her vampire nature and was willing to share himself with her.

It didn't take long for her apprehensions from the beginning of the conversation to be pushed from her mind. The whole conversation was crowded out of her thoughts soon after that. By the time Moka had Tsukune out of his shirt, she was not thinking of anything but the moment that they were sharing together.