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 262

Kokoa stood on the sidewalk and surveyed her new domain. She looked forward to all she hoped to accomplish in the coming years and smiled confidently. She wasn't the same child she had once been. She had graduated from high school, with her last year there, without anybody in her family protecting her or watching to make sure she didn't mess up, better than she could ever imagine it to have been.

She had a new sense of confidence now. Even if it had been for just one year, even if it had only been for a high school club, Kokoa had been a leader. People had respected her for her own strengths and abilities, and she had liked it. Today was going to be the first of her university life. She was going to become a success in the business world, and she was going to do it by working her way to the top, starting with a nice fat degree.

As she skipped forward on to her new campus, Kokoa had a smile on her face. There was paperwork to do to get ready for the fall, but she didn't mind. She was going to be working to make the life she wanted for herself and was determined to do it on her own terms. And the best part of it was, she was going to the same school as her older sister.

xxxxxxxx

Moka had a confident smile on her face as she entered the classroom. The summer classes had been a lot of work, but it had been worth it. She calculated that if she pressed on as she had been she would get her four-year baccalaureate degree in less than three, and then she would attack law school the same way. With her first year over, she could be an attorney in as little as five more years. She and Tsukune would get married then, she figured. If she took a couple of years to build her own practice first, she would have her first child when she reached thirty.

Moka looked at her engagement ring as she took a seat in the classroom. Ten years to a vampire was very little time at all. Moka could wait for the right time to build her family with Tsukune. In ten years she knew, if Mizore had her way, the snow woman would have ten children. I wouldn't mater how cute she was now, after a few babies her small body would be starting to wear out, and her figure would suffer. She would be so busy looking after all of her children she would not have time for anything else.

Moka doubted Kurumu would be able to wait ten years before she started having children as well. The succubus wanted a career also, but probably didn't know how much it would cost her to have a child. And she would probably not stop with just one ether. Eventually being a mother would be her career.

No, Moka thought. Her way was best. By the time she and Tsukune had a child the others would be left on the sidelines. She would be the one worthy to be with Tsukune. She would be the one that would always be worthy to stand beside him, and they would have a long and happy life together.

XxxxX

Tsukune had been looking forward to the steady routine of work and classes. Between the two his life would be kept productively busy, but he also had time to spend with the people he cared about. He wanted to build his career and his life together, so that one would not suffer for the other.

Unfortunately, life had a way of going against Tsukune's wishes. Whenever Lieutenant Tanaka called him up for a special mission or project it messed up Tsukune's schedule. He almost didn't make it to the annual Halloween festival at the Youkai Academy. He and Inari spent more than half of their winter break doing undercover security for both Japanese and visiting officials.

Sometimes Tsukune wondered if he would ever get a chance to control his own life. Even when he thought his work, school, and personal responsibilities were under control, something always seemed to come along to challenge the notion. Tsukune was sure the old man did it just for fun, because if nothing else was complicating his life at the moment, the Board Chairman would call him up to ask something from him.

When spring break rolled around, Tsukune dug in his heels and made sure he had time for what he wanted. The time had come for a little break, and to spend time with family. It took a few phone calls, and it had been necessary to start planning more than a month in advance, but the arrangements were made successfully. Tsukune was going to enjoy a family vacation. The old hunting lodge turned inn was once again the gathering place.

Not everybody was going to be able to visit for the whole week of spring break. Kurumu could only get away for three days. Tsukune's parents were going to visit for two days, but that was going to just be a part of their own little vacation. Of course Mizore was going to be there with Fumusume, and Kasumi was not going to miss seeing her grandchild. Tsukune's mother was almost ready to faint however when she discovered that Mizore was already pregnant with a second child; expecting to deliver in the summer.

XxxxxX

The summer was when Kurumu's schedule became the most hectic. While she was on break from school she had to get as much time in the media as she could. Her career depended on her ability to market herself. Commercials were a good tool, but she had to be careful of which ones she did. She could not be a spokes model for two rival companies after all. Likewise she did not want to get too locked into a contract that was going to restrain her.

It was that summer when Kurumu landed a gem of a job. A modest magazine had decided to take a gamble on the popularity of the Sweetheart Chef and asked for to come work for them. Her job was going to be reviewing restaurants, snack shops, and any other place that served food that was popular with the teen crowd. Many places that catered to the teen customer base suffered when reviewed by 'established' food critics. Pop idols' reviews had some pull, but not enough to really catch anybody's attention.

Kurumu was a chance for the magazine to claim a niche in the market and stand out from its competitors. She had enough idol power to catch attention, but was serious enough about food that at least some others would take her opinions seriously. She was going to be a staff writer for the magazine, with her own section every month. She would have to do some traveling, to visit places around Japan in order to write her reviews.

The magazine had decided to make a serious gamble. They offered Kurumu a contract for one year guaranteed employment. At that time the magazine was just one of many with sales that did not stand out in any way. At the meeting between the magazine's publisher and chief editor, and Kurumu and her agent, they pitched their plans to lure her in. The next issue would feature an article about the Sweetheart Chef, including an interview with her and a photo spread.

The negotiations were as serious as any held between the world powers at the United Nations. Kurumu wanted to make sure that she was going to be treated as a serious writer, and not just some cute girl with big breasts. Her agent wanted to make sure Kurumu was going to be paid appropriately for the position she would be filling. The magazine wanted to make sure Kurumu wasn't going to suddenly end up in any scandals, because there were a few rumors about any idol, and Kurumu was no exception.

In the end, Kurumu accepted the job. One of the nice things about the contract that was negotiated was that it allowed her to continue doing other jobs as well, as long as they did not pose a conflict to the magazine or its interests. That meant that Kurumu would still be able to do other media appearances and live events. Both sides approved of the idea because the Sweetheart Chef's popularity and marketability was good for everybody involved.

XxxXxxX

The new restaurant was opening in the famous LaLaPort mall in Funibashi. The owners of the restaurant were determined to take some of the most popular business ideas of Japan to make a place that would be a success of grand proportions. The place was going to be a themed restaurant using costumed staff and specially planned menus. Even the tableware and the decorations were going to be designed to go with the themes used.

For the grand opening, and for at least three months, the theme for the whole restaurant would be the same. The plan was to divide the restaurant eventually into separate areas, and each one would have a different theme, and the themes would change from time to time, so the people could return for new dining experiences. For the grand opening the theme was going to be the world famous Space Battleship Yamato

For the grand opening guests of the restaurant were celebrities and select members of the media that had all been especially invited, and their guests. The owner of the restaurant named Mission Japan, greeted the invited guests at the door dressed as Captain Okita, while standing next to an iconic red robot. Kurumu had been invited, both as a popular figure and as a member of the media, thanks to her position with the magazine. Of course there was no way she was going to attend such an event without Tsukune as her escort.

It had taken almost no effort at all to get Tsukune agree to be her date to the grand opening. In contrast it had taken her several dedicated hours of effort to get him to agree to go in costume. She had spent about half of that time dressed in a yellow and black spandex costume in the privacy of Tsukune's bedroom. She suspected that Tsukune would have given in to her wishes without so much effort, but they both had enjoyed the negotiations.

Tsukune flatly refused to dress as Susumu Kodai, because he felt foolish dressing up as such a major character. For a costume he wore the high-collared red and black jacket and white trousers of a fleet officer with the rank of captain. If anybody asked him who he was supposed to be, he identified himself as the captain of the the patrol ship Mononoke. Kurumu accepted his decision with a smile. She had dressed in a formal gown of black, with a red and black shoulder wrap, and hung on his arm when they arrived at the grand opening, just like a fleet officer's wife should.

The grand opening was a media event. While most of the invited guests were celebrities, some had worked with the Space Battleship Yamato franchise from its earliest years. The press not invited to the opening celebration were still present outside the restaurant and throughout the mall. Yamato cosplayers had migrated to the LaLaPort mall, hoping to meet celebrities, or to just enjoy the excitement of the occasion.

The opening of Mission Japan was a boon for the local businesses. Not only was the LaLaPort mall attracting more visitors, but the surrounding area as well. Because Space Battleship Yamato was so well known and loved, its popularity went well beyond the normal otaku circles. The carefully released pictures to the press leading up to the grand opening had helped raise the excitement of the overall event. Many stores in the area had added stock that was related, directly or indirectly to the Yamato franchise.

It is hard to say if it was the timing, the location, or the attitude of the event that acted as the focusing catalyst. Somehow the grand opening of Mission Japan had gained the attention of Tate no Kai, an extremist group that had been all but invisible for the past twenty years or more. The group, for reasons of their own, saw the event in Funibashi as an opportunity to make a statement.

XxxxxX

"Tsukune," Kurumu said in a sweet tone as he held the chair for her to sit down. "Thank you for being here."

"I know that me being with you means a lot," Tsukune smiled. "But you don't have to keep thanking me." They had just arrived at the restaurant, and so far Kurumu had thanked him for coming along five times since they had left the hotel room. If he had to say anything about it, Tsukune would have accepted Kurumu's passionate night with him at the local hotel more than thanks enough for being her date to the grand opening. "Besides... Do you know how much Kota would give to be here right now? It was talking about super weapons when we were children that got him interested in engineering in the first place."

"You have some interesting friends," Kurumu observed with a small smile.

Tsukune saw her wistful look and understood its reason. Kurumu had never been able to make close friends before meeting him. Growing up, she had faced jealousy, lust, anger, and every other dark emotion. The development of her own body had drawn attention to her, and some had taken exception to the popularity she had never asked for.

"Yes I do," Tsukune nodded. "And I am very happy that you are one of my interesting friends."

"Awww," Kurumu said with a small smile.

"And I am even happier that you are more than just a friend," Tsukune went on. He leaned towards her. "I love you, Kurumu."

"Tsu~ku~neee..." Kurumu's voice was a soft moan. She was blushing as she looked into Tsukune's eyes, and had to fight the urge to do something physical to him. While she was happy about what he had said to her, and Kurumu believed that he had meant every bit of it, she knew that he was teasing her at the same time. "I am going to get you for this."

"Of course," Tsukune smiled.

Kurumu was still trying to decide what she should say or do next when the Grand Opening party was rudely interrupted. The cause of the interruption was a group of party crashers dressed in black. The first sign of trouble was actually the raised voices outside the restaurant. Kurumu and Tsukune turned their heads towards the entrance in time to see a half dozen men rushing in through the doors.

The men were all dressed the same, in jackets, caps, and trousers of black, resembling old styled military uniforms. As they moved further into the restaurant, more of their group could be seen outside. All of them were holding telescoping batons in one hand and battery lanterns in the other.

Tsukune felt himself growl. He had just been enjoying his date with Kurumu, and somebody had to spoil it. It was a pattern in his life he was very tired of, and at the moment he has a very strong urge to take out his frustration on the men in black. Then their leader appeared and Tsukune really felt like snarling.

The leader of the party crashers was dressed in black like the others, but had added to his uniform so that he would stand out. He had on knee high boots, is jacket had gold trim, and as a final touch, there were captain's bars on his shoulders.

"Everybody here will cooperate, or you will be punished," The man said. "We are Tate no Kai, and we are acting in the interests of the Japanese Empire. If you are loyal Japanese, you will cooperate and support us by following the instructions we give you. If you resist, it will make it clear that you are a threat to our beloved nation, and we will treat you accordingly."

"What do you want here?" The manager of the restaurant demanded.

"We have chosen Mission Japan as the place to start our crusade to save our nation," The intruding captain declared. "Everything we do here is for that goal. Support us and you too can become heroes of the empire."

Suddenly the lights went out. There were startled cries and a few shouts. The restaurant was far enough into the mall that almost no natural light could reach it during the day. With the attack timed at sunset, the restaurant was left in near total darkness. A few emergency lights came to life as the power was cut off, but they offered little comfort. The extremists turned on their own lights to help them see.

"Everybody remain calm and listen to your instructions," The Tate no Kai captain said. "I do not want anybody trying to stop our plans simply because they do not understand the importance of our goals. With the lights off it will be easy to tell if anyone tries to use a cellular phone. We will punish anybody make such attempts."

As if to emphasize the point, the men outside the restaurant started attacking people that were holding cell phones or other electronics that shined in the dark. There was a lot of yelling, because it was more than just property that was being broken. It did not make a difference what the leader of the group was saying, the men in black were just another gang of thugs acting out of their own desires. Tsukune was tempted to pull out his own cell phone, provoking an attack against him, so he could defend himself with thorough vigor.

"Tsukune," Kurumu whispered. "We should do something."

"I want to," Tsukune replied in a low voice. "But I don't want to escalate things. The police will respond soon, and then things should get taken care of."

Tsukune and Kurumu were not the only ones talking in hushed voices. Soon a growing murmur was building in the restaurant. Unfortunately the leader of the party crashers wanted to control everybody's attention.

"Silence!" The man demanded.

The murmur of voices died down. Tsukune and Kurumu had no trouble seeing in the low light. While normal people might have trouble seeing fine details clearly, youkai had no such handicap. Tsukune watched the party crashers, taking every detail he could memorize. He knew that when the crisis was over there would be statements collected and reports to fill out. He could help just by being calm and observant. He would have taken notes if he thought he could get away with it.

"Everybody will now empty their purses and pockets onto their tables," The man continued to give instructions. "The general warned me that someone might try to be sneaky and use their cell phones through their pockets."

Tsukune did as he was told with a tiny smile at the corner of his mouth. The man leading the party crashers had just dropped a gem of information. Tsukune didn't know if it was done on purpose, but it seemed that there was a leader behind the scenes. Of course that could just be a scam to imply that the thugs were a part of a larger organization, but it was a detail worth being aware of.

As Tsukune emptied out his pockets he felt a trickle of power coming from Kurumu. He gave her a questioning look, wondering what she was doing. Kurumu gave him a slightly embarrassed smile, as if she had been caught with a sweet.

"I would be happier if they don't notice me," Kurumu whispered.

Tsukune nodded in understanding. Not only were celebrities at risk in a hostage crisis, but Kurumu was the most beautiful woman in the room. If any of the thugs were inclined to try something while they thought they could get away with it, Kurumu would make an attractive target. Tsukune was glad that Kurumu was staying so calm. He knew that if she was threatened in any way he would protect her, but with what happened to her in the past there was always a chance that she would panic when a man approached her under threat of violence.

The situation in the restaurant remained tense for many minutes. The sound of a cell phone ringing made everybody jump, but it was the leader of the party crashers that was receiving a call. He had a grin on his face as he answered his phone.

"Hai!" He answered the phone. "...Yes sir... ...Yes sir... Thank you sir." He returned the phone to his pocket and addressed his thugs and the captives. "You will be happy to know that the plan is proceeding as it should. The general has called the police and the press to issue our statement of demands."

"Ladies and gentlemen," The thug leader spoke with a twisted sense of pride. "You should be glad to hear that the ransoms we will be collecting for your release will help support our crusade to restore proper order to the Empire of Japan."

"You are insane..." Someone blurted out.

The leader of the party crashers reacted swiftly. He pulled back a hand and struck the nearest hostage across the face. The man grunted and swayed, but kept from being knocked from his chair.

"We are all hoping for a stronger Japan," The man raised his voice. "Everybody must do their part and support us, If any one of you resists, you hurt not just yourself, but all of your fellow Japanese as well. If you do not do your part, if you do not report the people that would undermine our efforts, you are just as much of a traitor as they are."

A silent tension filled the room. The restaurant guest that had been struck to make a point. The ruthlessness of the party crashers was sinking in, and while people were angry, they were also afraid. Those ruthless party crashers were holding them hostage in the dark.