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 315

Ross was feeling a mixture of fear and excitement as he gathered himself to enter the private dining room. The elegant restaurant was as traditionally Japanese as modern technology could make it. The electric lights flickered like oil lamps. The climate control system did its job within, without any visible vents or heating elements. All traditional Japanese foods were available, and a menu would only be shown upon request. The management was confident that anything a guest would order, the kitchen would be able to prepare. And of course, if a person had to ask the price of a meal, he did not belong in the restaurant.

Ross was visiting the restaurant by invitation from an important man. In the yakuza clan that Ross worked for, the man who had extended the invitation was counted to be in the top five of the most powerful members. Following the final fall of Tate no Kai, Ross had been feasted by many important men in recognition for his efforts, but the invitation to the restaurant from this man had been a surprise. Almost nobody ever saw him outside of his home, except at important clan meetings.

Before entering the dinging room, Ross paused to take comfort from his companions. Jenna was at his side as his personal companion and assistant for the evening. Tsukune, who had only agreed to attend the dinner meeting after Ross had threatened to get on his knees and beg, had brought his lieutenant, Inari, with him. All four of them were in traditional garb. The women looked beautiful and enchanting in their kimonos. Ross felt that he looked silly in his own traditional outfit. Tsukune on the other hand looked like he had been born and raised to wear the clothes of a feudal lord.

"Thank you for coming along," Ross said. "It means a lot to me that you are willing to meet Old Man Yama."

"We've done a lot together," Tsukune shrugged. "A dinner is not a lot to ask for."

"Alright," Ross steadied himself. "Let's go."

Inside the dining room was the one Ross had called Old Man Yama. It was clear how he had earned the name. The man had a full, silver beard, and his broad shoulders said that he had been a powerful man in his prime. His broad waist suggested that the old man's prime was long ago, but he still had an air of confidence that some would find intimidating.

Sitting with Old Man Yama was a more modest man of middle years. The personal assistant and underling appeared unremarkable, and was dressed in muted colors. Sitting beside the impressive old man, the assistant was the next best thing to invisible. Tsukune knew right away that the man's appearance was by design. He also knew right away that the man was youkai.

"Thank you both for coming tonight," Old Man Yama said in a deep, commanding voice.

"I am honored that you invited me to meet with you," Ross said as he offered the old man a deep bow.

"I am glad I was free to accept your invitation," Tsukune said with a polite bow of his head.

"Please be seated," The old man said. "The meals served here are too good to be held off for something as bland as business. There will be time enough to discuss the future, as we eat."

XxxX

Moka and Kurumu met at a coffee shop to go over the revised contract. Both women were dressed for casual comfort, but both of them knew the same clothing was better for fighting in than any fancy outfits or professional get-ups. The weapons may be words, or ink on paper, but their battle for Tsukune was not over.

"Tsukune decided to take a hand in things," Moka said as she offered the contract to Kurumu. "After assisting him with the revisions, I have agreed to the arrangement he asked for."

"You don't say?" Kurumu responded as she accepted the contract. She gave it a careful look.

"You signed it already?" Kurumu was taken off guard by the signatures and seals at the end of the document.

"That is correct," Moka nodded. "He said that when he collects the contract from Mizore, if you and she have both signed it without making any changes, he will sign it as well."

"You make it sound as if Tsukune does not trust Mizore or me," Kurumu offered a small scowl.

"Oh no," Moka gave a small shake of her head. "Tsukune trusts you both explicitly. His faith in either of you is unshakable. I, on the other hand, know that I can trust you to die for Tsukune if he was ever in danger, but you can never be trusted not to try to take advantage of him. Waiting to be the last one to sign the contract is something Tsukune only agreed to because I insisted."

"If you are going to be that way about it," Kurumu frowned. "Maybe we should make sure that both of you sign this. We don't need the other Moka deciding that the contract doesn't apply to her."

"That won't be necessary," Moka said as her eyes changed from green to red. "While my sister and I will never be completely merged, we are both parts of a greater whole. What binds one of us, binds us both."

"Oh?" Kurumu blinked. "What brought that about?"

"It is simple," The red-eyed Moka explained with a cool smile. "There is only room on a marriage contract for one woman."

Kurumu scowled at the gloating vampire.

XxxX

"Captain," Inari spoke in a measured tone as she and Tsukune left the restaurant. "Do you have some time to talk with me?"

Tsukune paused, it was an odd question coming from her. Not only were they close working partners, but lovers as well. He gave her a questioning look and saw that Inari's face was tight with emotions. He knew that something had been bothering her, but somehow they had never found the time to talk about it.

"Inari," Tsukune said gently. "You know I am here for you. Let's go somewhere and you can tell me what is on your mind."

"Thank you," Inari said with a small note of relief. "Can we go back to the office?"

"If that is what you want," Tsukune nodded.

"Yes... no..." Inari hesitated.

"I have a better idea," Tsukune said. He gently took her arm and lead her to his trusty minivan.

Inari let her captain lead her along. She wanted to talk with him while they were alone, and before she lost her nerve. She was concentrating on what she wanted to share with him, and trying to plan out her words, so she was not paying much attention to where they were going. Until after their second or third jump, Inari was suddenly aware of the large full moon above them, glowing red in the sky.

"Captain?" Inari questioned.

Tsukune had brought them to the area near the youkai academy. They were under the barrier rolling along the road towards the town. When he pulled off the road and parked, the lights of the town were still lost in the distance.

"This should be a good place," Tsukune said before getting out of the mini van.

Inari hesitated only for a moment before getting out as well. She caught up to Tsukune at the back of the minivan. From a box he had in the back he pulled out an old blanket at some bottles of water. The box was just basic supplies in case of an emergency. A lot of people had something like it. Inari was just wondering what Tsukune was up to.

"Hold these," Tsukune passed the water bottles to Inari. He then walked a few steps into the tall grass and spread out the blanket. "Care to join me?" He held out a hand to her with a smile.

Inari found herself smiling at the instant, of limited picnic. Neither of them were dressed for such a casual plop down on the ground, but that didn't stop them. Soon they had their shoes off as they sat down together on the blanket.

"We're far enough away from everything to be left alone here," Tsukune said. "There are no walls, no roof, and no expectations. We can just relax, and share whatever we want."

"Thank you," Inari replied with a smile. She understood what Tsukune was saying. They were in a neutral place, where they could be as close to equal as possible. There was no sense of expectation that would come from being at a love hotel, or pressure from being in either one's apartment. At the office, there was no disputing Tsukune's authority. But out under the stars, they were just a man and a woman.

"Tsukune, do you remember our last school dance," Inari began in a small voice.

"I do," Tsukune nodded.

"When I... When I was injured," Inari went on. "When I found out how bad it really was, I was worried that you would never see me as a woman." She paused for a moment, but Tsukune didn't say anything. "I was already in love with you then, and wanted to be with you, but I was worried that if you found out that I could never have children, that you would see me as something less than a woman. I was afraid that I would just become just a person in your life that you worked with."

"I can look back and see how I really had nothing to be afraid of," Inari explained. "But that fear only finally left me the night we became lovers,"

"Logic and feelings are to very different things," Tsukune said with a nod.

"But now I have a new fear," Inari said with her voice becoming a near whisper.

"Oh?" Tsukune questioned.

"The night we took down Tate no Kai," Inari said. "When we finally put it to an end, you and I took down their leader. You and I took his power from him."

"I remember," Tsukune nodded. "You looked like you were in pain. I was worried something might happen to you and tried to help you."

"I know," Inari gave him a small smile. "But I still received enough of his power. I was able to gain enough of his power that my own power reached its maturity." She looked up at the stars. "I have nine tails after that night. Training with you, I had grown so much stronger than anybody in my family has in a long, long time. Of all the Kitsune youkai in Japan, I don't think there is more than a score of us that have nine tails."

"Congratulations," Tsukune offered.

"Having nine tails, having that much power means I..." Inari paused and swallowed hard, fighting her fears. "With that much power means I have more that I can do. I never believed I would reach this point. I never even thought that this much power could act on its own."

"Inari," Tsukune asked as he toched her shoulder gently. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Inari nodded. "More than alright. When I... I am whole." She turned to look Tsukune in the face. Her eyes were shining with tears brought on by all the feelings she had going on within her. "Tsukune..." Inari's lip quivered. "Tsukune, I've healed. I can have children."

"Congratulations," Tsukune said again, unsure of what else he should say.

"But now I have a new fear," Inari hurried on. "Tsukune, I love you, and now that I can have children, I want to do it with you. I don't want to lie to you, but, Tsukune, now that you know, will you still let me be with you? Will you still let me be your lover?"

"Inari," Tsukune spoke in a careful voice. "I am happy to hear that your body is healed. I know that you were only hurt because you chose to stay close to me. When you and I, when we... When I reached the point that I was able to accept you feelings, I was not thinking about... what you couldn't do. I was only thinking of you and I, and the feelings, and the moment we were sharing." He reached out and touched her cheek. "And that has not changed."

"Tsukune..." Inari breathed, feeling new hope in her heart.

"I cannot answer you about children," Tsukune said. "Not now. But nothing else is different than before. You are still my trusted lieutenant. You are still someone important to me." He leaned in and kissed her gently.

Inari couldn't hold her feelings in any longer. She through her arms around Tsukune and cried. He held her in turn, letting her emotions run their course. He knew that sometimes a person needed to just let it all out.

XxxX

Ross was feeling shaken by how his night was going. The kind of promotion he had just been offered was the stuff of impossible dreams. Old Man Yama wanted to make Ross his protege, to groom the younger man to be his heir. The offer was not without its complications. Ross and Old Man Yama were a part of the same over all organization, but in different branches. Ross would need permission to accept the offer, or he would be making enemies. He would have rivals in any case, but it would be best not to step on more toes than he had to.

Of course with that much power there would be more responsibility as well. Ross kind of liked his current position. He was high enough to have respect, money, and power, but still low enough not to be a seen as much of a threat to the power hunters within the organization. He was low enough that it was acceptable for him to go out and be personally involved in solving problems and making deals, but high enough to enjoy a measure of autonomy.

There was another layer to the offer that Ross had to consider as well. Old Man Yama had dropped a bomb into Ross's world. Not only did the old man know about youkai, he specialized in looking out for youkai where the organization's interests could potentially cause problems. The old man's second in command was a youkai that had been serving the organization behind different masks for three hundred years.

Old Man Yama was ready to retire. His second in command did not want to take the lead, because he had too much to keep hidden. The offer was for Ross to be groomed for leadership, and then take over for the old man. The second in command would assume a new identity and serve as Ross' advisor.

Ross had a lot to think about. Before making such a big decision, he knew he would have to examine it carefully. He had tried talking it out with Tsukune after the dinner meeting, but the younger man had been no help. If anything, Tsukune had been amused at Ross' situation.

Ross didn't let it get him down however. He knew that Tsukune would help him in a real emergency, but making a big decision was his own responsibility, and there was no way to escape it. After dropping off Jenna, Ross went to get help with the problem he faced from someone who he knew would give him good advice.

"Rei?," Ross called out to his wife as he entered their house. "We need to talk."

XxxxxxxX

Kasumi had a silly grin on her face, but she didn't care. Koji had taken her out on a date for the first time in way, way too long. To make it more unique, it had been a silly, innocent kind of date, like back when they had first met. Koji had slipped out of work early to spend the evening with her. The date had been a surprise, forcing Tsukune's mother to go out without a chance to do herself up first.

The casual clothing had turned out to be just right for their evening out. The first stop for the couple had been a cheep ramen bar for dinner. After eating, the pair went to see a movie. It had been some foreign production dubbed over into Japanese, that mixed live action with modern animation. The sappy movie was a romance between a human girl and a pair of brothers that were supposed to be some kind of demon vampire beasts. Kasumi thought the movie was awful, but entertaining in its own way. Between the fighting and the kissing, the plot was thin at best, but she did not mind, because Koji kept distracting her with holding her hand and stealing kisses in the darkened theater.

Kasumi liked the way her date went. The not-quite spooky romance movie had been simple enough to follow without having to think about any deeper meanings. Her husband being playful was always enjoyable. As she and Koji walked home, she was thinking of how she was going to end their date in a way her husband would have wished desperately for back when he was first dating her.