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, then you should not read this.

Chapter 290

The media was happy to be invited to cover any event that would draw an audience. When the national police announced that it would hold a press conference the representatives of the media gathered from far and wide. The subject of the press conference, naturally enough, was what the police were doing about Tate no Kai.

The man at the microphones addressing the media was an official police spokesman. A man carefully selected for his appearance as well as his ability to communicate clearly. The caption at the bottom of the screen labeled him a member of 'Special Investigations,' which was a branch that only existed for public relations reasons.

Tsukune watched the media coverage with a frown. He knew that the spokesman was a concession made after considering the fire bombing of a koban. The spokesman was not attached to any real office or investigation. He was a paper shield to try to hide the real investigators from being exposed to the wrath of Tate no Kai. Tsukune knew why the press conference was being held, but he saw it as a mistake.

The spokesman stood at the podium and delivered the carefully prepared speech. Using a split screen, the media also broadcast the police selected and edited video footage. The speech was loaded with keywords intended to show the government's commitment to fighting crime in general, and Tate no Kai in specific. In the split screen played scenes of doors being kicked in and men being marched in handcuffs into jail cells. Mixed in with the more violent or darker shots were clips of police men and women interacting with civilians in normal ways.

The intended message was clear. The police were there to protect and aid the population of Japan, and at the same time it was a reminder of its war against Tate no Kai. The message was intended to intimidate those that would support the organization, and reassure everybody else that the police was looking out for them. Tsukune hoped the press conference would do more good than harm, but did not think that would be the case.

He remembered when he had been fighting gangs in high school. The old Public Safety Commission was a perfect example of what Tsukune was worried about happening. The PSC set out to do their own thing, regardless of who they hurt in the process. When they were opposed, it did not mater that they had been in the wrong, both morally and legally, they had stuck back to seek revenge. It had happened again and again, with the PCS, the Outcast Ayashi, Anti-Thesis, and finally with Fairy Tail. The more Tsukune thought about what he had gone through in the past, the more he was sure that the press conference had been a mistake.

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XxxxX

The General watched the media circus that was the police press conference and snarled. He could feel his stomach turn with anger and disgust. How could the police, the filthy and corrupt human police think they could so openly oppose him and not have to pay the price?

The General saw the press conference for what it was. He saw the sorry excuse for authority posturing for the sake of the rabble, desperate to fool everybody, including themselves, into believing that they had some chance of maintaining control of a Japan that was slowly rotting away. The general would have found their pitiful song and dance amusing except for one thing, they were declaring their defiance of Tate no Kai.

The General could not stand to let such an insult go unpunished. The police were filled and controlled by scum that needed to learn proper respect for true justice. The General had every intention of showing the police, and the rest of Japan, just how big of a mistake the press conference had been.

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The Aono household was filled with happy voices. Tsukune and Moka were visiting with his parents for the evening. The dinner invitation had come unexpectedly in the middle of the week, but with enough time for Moka and Tsukune to adjust their schedules enough to make it.

Tsukune's business was going well, and his own investigations were not in the middle of anything critical at the moment, so he had no trouble finding the time to visit with his parents. Moka on the other hand had a lot to juggle, between classes, internship hours, and studying. Though it took some effort, she was happy to go with Tsukune to visit with his parents.

It was a good evening with family. Tsukune, who was in no way under fed or forced to endure bland or unappetizing food, was no less happy to enjoy his mother's cooking than a any time in the past. Moka was happy to have a chance to work in the kitchen with her soon-to-be mother in-law. Eventually the meal was finished and the kitchen was put to rights. It was while the family was simply relaxing together after dinner that the reason for the sudden invitation came out.

"Tsukune," Kasumi began in a voice that was artificially casual. "You know your father and I are very proud of you. And Moka, we are looking forward to when you will become an official part of the family."

"Thank you, Mother," Moka said with a smile.

"But we still worry about you both," Kasumi went on.

"We are doing very well," Tsukune said with calmly in spite of how his mother was obviously up to something.

"Well you have your own business to manage now," Kasumi said. "And I know that in this economy that cannot be an easy thing. And we are your parents, so we can't help but want to help you however we can."

"I don't see how you can," Tsukune replied. "Unless you know somebody that wants to hire a security company."

"Oh no," Kasumi giggled as she waved away the idea. "Nothing like that."

"What Kasumi is trying to..." Koji tried to say something but Tsukune's mother cut him off.

"Now honey," Kasumi chided her husband. She turned back to her son and his fiance. "Tsukune, your father and I just want to help you get started with a good foundation. We remember what it was like when we were young and starting out. It is never easy."

"I am sure there will be some challenges," Tsukune said as he reached for Moka's hand. He gave her a smile before continuing. "But after all we have already been through, I know that there is nothing that will keep us from building a life together."

Moka blushed as happy feelings made her heart flutter. Kasumi gave the young couple an indulgent smile. She remembered being idealistic in her younger days as well.

"Tsukune," Kasumi tried to be firm but supportive at the same time. "I understand how you feel right now, but... What was with that look?"

"Sorry," Tsukune muttered. His mother's little speech had provoked a roll of his eyes.

"Moka," Kasumi said with a small huff. "You are going to have your hands full with my son."

"I don't mind," Moka said with a smile.

"But you need to be his voice of reason sometimes," Kasumi was starting to lecture. "He may sound confident now, but there are going to be times when he is not going to be able to do everything all by himself."

"Do not worry, Mother," Moka replied. "Tsukune will always have my support. With what he has within him, I know that there is nothing he cannot do once he puts his heart in to it."

"Oh..." Kasumi frowned. "Sweetheart, you're as bad as Tsukune. You need to know when to be practical."

"Mother," Tsukune chided. "I think you are forgetting something. Moka and I have already been through a lot together. Neither of us are children. Either one of us is capable of making a living that can support us both. We thank you for your concern, but you do not need to worry about us."

"Honey..." Kasumi turned to her husband. "Help me out."

"Tsukune," Koji spoke up, relieved to have a chance to get the conversation back on track. "The point your mother was trying to make is that we want to give you a hand up, as a kind of wedding present. I have been offered a promotion, and I intend to take it."

"Congratulations," Tsukune offered.

"Thank you," The elder Aono said with a small nod. "However, the promotion comes with a transfer to another office. It will mean a longer commute, or a more expense one. Your mother and I have been talking about moving closer to my work. We won't be having any more children, so we can get a nice apartment, but that leaves the question of what to do with the house."

"That's right," Kasumi spoke up once more, taking back control of the conversation. "There is no need for your father and I to live in this big, empty, house by ourselves. You are both renting apartments right now, so we thought that we would let you rent the house from us instead."

"That's not necessary," Tsukune offered.

"Now here me out, Tsukune," Kasumi insisted. "We know you would never let us just give you the house, so we came up with a compromise plan. You can pay us an amount of rent that is less than what you are paying for your separate apartments combined, and we will apply it to the cost of the house. It will be like paying a mortgage, but it will be to us, and not to a bank. That way if anything goes wrong you don't have to worry about a foreclosure."

Tsukune looked at his parents for a moment. His mother was smiling as if she had just offered up the answer to some impossible question. His father was smiling at his wife encouragingly. Tsukune turned to Moka and shared a pained look with her.

"Mother, Father," Tsukune said with an uncomfortable look in his eyes. "I... Well... What you say sounds nice. If I needed help finding a place to live after we are married, I am sure Moka and I would be very thankful for the offer."

"Huh?" Kasumi blinked as she tried to process what her son had just said.

"Moka and I have not made a final decision on where we would like to live after we're married yet," Tsukune said.

"Well don't you see?" Kasumi said. "You don't have to now."

"Mother," Moka spoke up. "You are making a generous offer, and I thank you for thinking of us, but it is totally unnecessary."

"Oh Moka dear," Kasumi pushed. "I just want to make sure that you will be starting out with some security in your new life."

"Again, thank you for the offer," Tsukune said a little more firmly. "But it isn't needed. I am going to stand on my own, for the sake of my life with Moka. That means a home I have earned, and that I have responsibility for."

"Good for you, Son," Tsukune's father said with a strong note of pride in his voice.

"Honey," Kasumi snapped at her husband before pressing her point on Tsukune. "Now dear, there is no reason to be stubborn."

"I don't want to sound ungrateful, but what you are offering..." Tsukune tried to argue politely.

"Tsukune you... Moka, tell him. Tsukune," Kasumi tried to pressure the pair. "There is no reason to say no. Your father and I want you to accept our offer."

"Mother," Tsukune replied. "If you and Father need money, just say so. You don't have to sell me your house."

"Need money?" Kasumi gaped.

Tsukune's father gave and amused snort as he held in a burst of laughter.

"Tsukune!" Kasumi demanded. "What would make you say such a thing? Why can't you just accept what we are offering you?"

"Mother," Moka answered. "Tsukune has certain ambitions, and there are expectations he must live up to. He is not just being stubborn. Please believe me."

"But why can't you just say yes?" Kasumi demanded.

"Well for one thing, this house would be too small," Tsukune said.

"What?" Kasumi gaped in surprise as her husband let out a chortle. After she gave him an evil glare, Tsukune's father reached for a newspaper to hid behind. He saw that there was no need to argue the issue. At the same time, he knew his wife would. Tsukune's father was going to hide behind his paper and wait for the conclusion.

"Tsukune, this is a three bedroom house," Kasumi demanded. "How can it be too small?"

"It is only a three bedroom house," Tsukune returned. "One for Moka and I," He started to count. "We will need one bedroom for Ruby. Moka and I have talked about having children. I wouldn't want to force them to share a single room, and what if we have boys and girls?"

"Well Ruby is not going to stay with you forever," Kasumi said.

"She swore that she would," Moka said sternly.

"And I told her that she could," Tsukune added.

"What?" Kasumi blinked. She knew that Ruby thought of Tsukune as family, and was in love with him as well, but surely the woman would not expect to cling to him once he was married.

"Besides," Tsukune went on. "Moka plans for a career. Ruby is going to help raise our children."

"Oh..." Kasumi blinked. "But... Well... But you already have children."

"Mother," Moka replied. "Tsukune has given Mizore children, this is true. But I want children of my own, and I will have them with Tsukune."

"But..." Kasumi was feeling dizzy and having a hard time thinking up an argument.

"Mother," Moka went on in a more gentle voice. "Do you remember the bear?"

"The bear?" Kasumi blinked. She gave herself a shake as she remembered the incident Moka was talking about. "Yes," She nodded somberly. "I remember that night."

"Tsukune did not hesitate to put himself between you and that bear," Moka went on. "He has never hesitated to protect the people that are important to him. More than that, Tsukune is willing to stand up to danger for total strangers, just because it is the right thing to do. I remind you of this because Tsukune has earned the right to live his life however he chooses." She turned to Tsukune. "As long as he chooses to share that life with me as my husband, I will support him with all of my strength."

"Oh..." Kasumi's arguments were forgotten. Her eyes were shining with emotions as she took in the sight of the young couple in front of her.

"Mother, Father," Tsukune spoke up, using a carefully neutral voice. "I think it is time for Moka and I to head home. Thank you very much for dinner. Perhaps someday soon I will invite you over for dinner in return."

"Oh," Kasumi nodded, watching how her son was holding Moka's hand. She suspected that the lovebirds were eager for some time alone. "Alright. But be sure to be safe going home."

"Yes Mother," Tsukune and Moka said together, giving the woman warm smiles.

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(A/N) One of the problems with this story is trying to come up with names for the chapters. When I first posted it, I tried to just using genaric "1st link" "2nd link" etc. but that didn't feel right. Likewise I cannot stand to use chapter names like "When They Finally Kick Things In Gear."

Oh well. Thanks for reading and reviewing. On a totally unrelated note, I have been following a web comic called "Too Much Information" I highly recommend it if anybody need another way to kill their productivity.