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 297

Lieutenant Tanaka, Ross, and Tsukune were meeting at Ageah's club of current employment. She was cuddled up close to Tsukune, who sat in the middle of the large booth, acting like a hostess at the side of a big spender. Ross and Tanaka were at the ends of the curving booth, opposite to each other.

The place was actually out of date with its decorations, looking like a hold-over from the 1970's. Ageha had told Tsukune that she was thinking of buying the place. The owner, an old man who still wore leisure suits, was interested in selling out, for the right price, but did not want his place to just be turned over to strangers. He had known Ageha for a long time, and he was glad to see her back in his club again. She had always been good for business.

"Well we have done a good job of kicking the ant hill this time," Tanaka said. They were meeting off the clock so he was holding a drink in his hand and had his tie hanging loose. "All of the known phone numbers are showing a lot of traffic."

"The people we've been watching are keeping busy as well," Ross added. "There's little teams of men practically going door to door. From what I can tell, it looks like the middle managers are either making sure of their support before moving against each other, or making sure they are secure against anybody moving against them."

"I think it was saying we were tipped off that caused that," Tanaka said. "We're dealing with people that know they are not trustworthy, so they distrust others. The idea that one of their own sold them out is believable. If someone had, anybody close to him will be in trouble as well."

"I've seen some things like this before," Ross said. "When that other group, Fairy Tail, was able to take a piece out of somebody's operation some of the lower bosses were quick to offer up one of their own as being at fault in order to protect themselves."

"That's..." Tanaka began.

"Don't say it," Ross held up a hand and cut his friend off. "I know what you're thinking. You're right, but not everybody fits into your civilized world."

"I know," Ito said with a sour look. He took a drink from his glass. "I just can't stop wishing it wasn't that way."

"If wishes were horses..." Ross shrugged. "Am I right Tsukune?"

"Unfortunately," Tsukune nodded. "But then again, it is probably good that wishes don't come true very often."

"Why not?" Ross challenged.

"I used to wish almost every day for a quite, normal life," Tsukune answered with a crooked smile.

"I do not see any problem with that," Tanaka said.

"Well I do," Ageha said. "And both of you should as well. If he had gotten his wish, he would never had been there when my daughter needed him. And he would have never been there all those times Fairy Tail needed someone to put them in their place."

"Ma'am," Tanaka offered her a bow of the head. "I concede your point. I, for one, would probably not be here today if it wasn't for him."

"Oh?" Ageha perked up.

"You mean that time at your daughter's school?" Ross asked.

"Exactly," Tanaka nodded.

"Ooooh," Ageha leaned forward to encourage the lieutenant with an extra clear view of her cleavage. "A Tsukune story I haven't heard before? Please share."

"It is not that good of a story," Ito tried to beg off.

"I thought it was a good story," Ross offered.

"You're not helping," Tanaka shot the other man a dark look.

"It was the second time we met," Tsukune offered. "It was during the time the Youkai Academy Student Police was providing security for his daughter's school."

"Oh yes?" Ageha had all her attention back on Tsukune. "I remember Kurumu being disappointed that she could not go with you."

"When Fairy Tail's men had tried to attack..." Tsukune remembered that day with discomfort. "One of them tried to stab the lieutenant in the back. I was able to stop it from happening."

"You know," Ross said thoughtfully. "I've seen the aftermath once myself, and read some reports about other times. I hope that someday I will be able to actually see you fight."

"No," Tsukune gave a shake of his head. "You do not want to see one of my fights."

"Why not?" Ross asked. "It's not like I've spent my life hiding from violence."

"Ross," Tanaka spoke up. "If you are close enough to see Tsukune in a fight, that means you are in such a bad situation that your best hope of living is having him there to protect you."

"He's right," Ageha said with a proud smile. "Tsukune has been there for my daughter, and for me. Kurumu even told me about the bear."

"Mother..." Tsukune complained.

"Wait..." Ross gave Tsukune a searching look. "You've fought a bear?"

"Oh course not," Ageha scoffed.

"I didn't think that was possible," Ross started to relax.

"The bear never had a chance," Ageha continued with a grin. "My Tsukune killed it in three hits."

"What?" Ross and Tanaka both gaped in surprise.

"It was not like that," Tsukune shook his head. "I had to kill the bear because it was badly hurt. It was either going to die slowly, or it was going to wander into a local village and hurt someone. I really didn't have any choice."

"What Tsukune is not telling you is that he was the one that had hurt it," Ageha shared what she knew about the incident. "He was protecting his parents. They had gone for a walk in the woods and surprised the bear."

"Well I've heard of martial artists fighting bears and other animals before," Ross shrugged. "But it's still an impressive story."

"But it's not my favorite," Ageha said.

"Mother," Tsukune tried to get her mind back on the business of the day. "Have you heard anything about Tate no Kai?"

"You know Tsukune," Ageha gave him a mock frown. "There are better ways to change the topic of a conversation."

"But it still worked," Tsukune countered. "So about..."

"Oh, you're no fun," Ageha huffed. "No. I have not been told anything new. The last that was passed around was how someone had started to approach some of the newer girls in the business, but then he disappeared before he could ever deliver on any of his offers."

"I was hoping someone might have heard something about the arson attacks," Tanaka said with a note of frustration.

"Unfortunately," Ageha pouted a little. "If someone is talking about it over drinks, it's not at a bar or club where I have a connection."

"It would have been helpful to have some more information, but sometimes it can't be helped," Tanaka gave his shoulders a shrug.

"It would be nice to have a sure target," Ross agreed. "But we can still go forward."

"And we will," Tanaka said firmly. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a slim folder which he passed to Tsukune.

"Here is the information you asked for," The lieutenant said. "Just don't do anything too rash without letting me know. I have a small team on short notice stand by once you confirm a target."

"And if his methods are too limited," Ross offered with a dark smile. "I have some men eager for some action."

"Thank you for the offer," Tsukune said noncommittally.

"So how many men do you have?" Ageha asked with a happy smile. The smile the slipped into a predatory look. "And how eager are they?"

Ross paused and gave Ageha a careful look. He looked at the way she was presenting herself while cuddled in close with Tsukune. Ross considered all he knew about Tsukune and the world he was a part of.

"Ma'am," Ross said politely. "I think it would be best if I do not answer that question. Good men are hard to find after all."

"Oh don't I know it," Ageha bemoaned theatrically.

Tsukune just rolled his eyes at Ageha's playfulness.

"Well I should be on my way," Tanaka said just before finishing his drink. "We have covered everything, and I would like to spend time at home while I have the chance."

"I hear you," Ross said. He killed off his own drink and stood up. "I gotta spend some time keeping my wife happy too."

"Aaaww," Ageha pouted. "Now everybody is going to leave me here alone."

"I don't think you have any reason to fear," Ross said. "You've still got Tsukune here to keep you company."

"But he's no fun," Ageha argued. "He sees me as just an old lady."

"Mother, that is not true," Tsukune protested.

"Yes it is," Ageha insisted. "You always have."

"Mother," Tsukune countered as his companions made their exit. "I have always thought of you as a radiant and beautiful woman."

"You're just saying that to be nice to an old lady," Ageha was having a hard time keeping her pout in place. Tsukune was either falling for her manipulation, or he was just playing along with her. Either way it was fun to tease him. "Admit it. I'm losing my looks, aren't I?"

"Not even close," Tsukune said. He then flashed her a mischievous grin. "You are in better shape than most women." He took one hand and firmly groped her breast. "You're not even starting to sag yet."

"TSU~kun~eeeEe!" Ageha gave a surprised and happy squeal.

XxxxxX

"And then he grabbed my breast!" Ageha told Kurumu about her meeting with Tsukune.

"He did not!" Kurumu protested as she burst out laughing. The truth was that Tsukune had already told her about some of the things that had happened, but it was funny coming from her mother. The older succubus was happy about being fondled by Tsukune.

Both women understood that Tsukune could only do such a thing because he felt close and comfortable with Ageha. It had not been about sex or trying to prove his masculinity. Tsukune knew Ageha liked teasing him, and had learned to tease her right back. To play such games with the older succubus, Tsukune had to feel close to her. It was much like the times Kurumu had teased Tsukune's father. It was a family thing, and it made both women happy to think of sharing a family relationship with Tsukune.

"He's still fun to play with," Ageha said. "Especially when he is willing to play along."

"Yes," Kurumu agreed. "Tsukune has a way to make things special."

"Well after that, he had to be on his way," Ageha went on. "So I spoke with my friend."

"And..." Kurumu prompted.

"Between his ags, and what's been happening lately," Ageha made a sour face as she thought of what has been happening. "He decided that he is ready to retire. I am going to buy him out."

"Congratulations," Kurumu cheered her mother.

"I hope I'm not making a mistake," Ageha gave a nervous smile. "This is going to be a big change for me. It's going to be even bigger than I had though."

"Why is that?" Kurumu asked.

"My friend had been in business for a long time," Ageha said. "He even owns part of the building. It's why he was able to stay there so long. The other owners couldn't force him out. In order to buy him out and take over his business, I need to buy his share of the building as well."

"Well that's not such a bad thing," Kurumu said. "You can maybe get a little extra income this way. How big is the building?"

"Two stories and close to three thousand square meters, plus parking," Ageha said. Here eyes were a little wide as she admitted the size of the building.

"Hmmmm," Kurumu's expression became thoughtful. "You know..." She gave her mother a wide smile. "I bet you're going to do great as a club manager."

"I hope so," Ageha replied. It felt good to have her daughter's support, but it was still big enough of a change to make her nervous.

XxxxX

Tsukune was almost to his front door when he was surprised. He had only a brief warning, a flare of youki, before Moka burst out of her own apartment. She pounced on Tsukune with enough force to knock him into the wall. Before Tsukune could ask her anything, Moka was kissing him fiercely. It was several long moments later before the kissing stopped.

"I did it!" Moka declared. "I got the final letter today. I passed the bar!"

"Congratulations," Tsukune offered with a proud smile. "We should do something to celebrate."

"Yes we will," Moka said with conviction. "This weekend we are going to have a party with everybody, but tonight, I have plans for just you and I."

"As you wish, Dame Moka," Tsukune Grinned. "I am at your disposal."

"And don't you forget it," Moka said before kissing him again.

X

The private celebration was not a quiet one. Moka had Tsukune take her out on Hiru for a late night of fun. They had dinner and drinks to Tokyo. From there it was to a karaoke bar in Nagasake. They stopped for a late snack in Sapporo. After watching the sun rise over the ocean at Fukui, Moka and Tsukune returned home.

Tsukune called Ruby and Inari and told them to do without him for the day. It was the first time he had taken a day off of work since he had opened his company. He figured that if he was working so hard to be worthy of Moka, he should be able to share some time with her when she was in the mood to celebrate.

The truth was that Tsukune and Moka were celebrating more than her just passing the bar exam and becoming an attorney. What they were really happy about was that they were one step closer to the life together they were both working for. With one more foundation stone in place, it would not be long before Moka and Tsukue would start building their family together.