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 317

Tsurara had been surprised by Tsukune's invitation. When he visited the village he only came to see her once out of every three or four times. It wasn't that the young man was antisocial, just that he was more interested in spending time with Mizore and their daughters, instead of his mother-in-law. That was how it should be, in Tsurara's opinion.

She was not surprised to see him during his latest visit because Tsurara had asked her daughter to bring him over. Mizore was in an excitedly happy state because she was going to get to have a wedding ceremony with Tsukune, and could not help but share the news with her mother. Tsurara wanted to talk with Tsukune about this strange contract that had her daughter so happy.

Tsurara had expected Tsukune to be his usual, somewhat blunt self. He had a way of being direct with his intentions that Tsurara could appreciate, even when it was frustrating. His straight forward way of doing things made it hard to talk him around to doing things in another way. She had not been disappointed in how her visit with him had gone. But then he caught her by surprise.

"Mother Shirayuki, would you be free to go out dinner in the city next Saturday?" Tsukune had asked unexpected.

"Tsukune?" Mizore's face was filled with confusion.

"Excuse me?" Tsurara's own eyes were wide at the sudden invitation.

"I know that I have not spent enough time with my family over the past few years," Tsukune said. "That is a part of the reason for agreeing to the contract. I want to correct the problem I made for myself and start spending real and reliable time with those that are important to me. But I also want to make sure I am not just..." Tsukune fumbled for the right words to express his thoughts and feelings.

"I love Mizore and our daughters," Tsukune explained. "But the time I spend with them should not be an isolated part of my life. I want... I may have failed to do the right thing, but my life should not be in pieces that never connect. For a change, I would like to share a little more of my life beyond the village with you, because through Mizore, you are a part of my family now as well."

"I see..." Tsurara said as her mind tried to make sense of what Tsukune had said. "What did you have in mind?"

"It will just be a small get together," Tsukune answered. "If you attend, it will be you, Ageha, my mother and father, and myself. As I understand it, Moka and Kurumu are planing to come visit with Mizore that night."

"I would be happy to accept your invitation," Tsurara said with a smile. "But I am a little surprised."

"As I am sure you have heard from Mizore," Tsukune explained. "She and Kurumu are each interested on having a sort of wedding ceremony. I know that they are both going to be taking things very seriously, and if I love them, I should as well. If I am going to be standing in any kind of wedding ceremony, if I want to show that I am taking it seriously, I should have my parents there."

"That sound reasonable," Tsurara nodded.

"Also, I am working on warming my mother up to the idea that there is a such a thing as youkai, and that they are just as real and normal as anybody else," Tsukune went on. "I would help if she has more time with you, so when she finally learns the truth, she will be able to see you for the person that you are, not just a creature from legends used to scare children from wondering off."

Tsurara had to resist the urge to scowl at Tsukune. What he had said was well reasoned, but the way he had said it... Tsurara knew her kind were feared by the mortal humans of Japan, if they believed in Yuki Onna at all. The idea that stories of her people were used to scare children into behaving was a little insulting.

"Mother Shirayuki, I know that there is so very much more to your people than just old legends," Tsukune said with clear, honest feelings in his eyes. "I feel very fortunate that I have been able to learn about the history and traditions of your people. I hope, that over time, my parents, and the rest of my family will get to learn more about you as well."

"But before that can happen," Tsukune went on. "My mother has to know you as a real person and a friend, so she will be able to see though the shock when she learns the truth."

"I approve of your reasoning," Tsurara said with a smile and a nod. "But I do have a request to make. When I go to this dinner gathering, before we meet with the others, will you share your Warmth with me?"

"Mother?" Mizore's voice and face were expressions of shock.

"Yes," Tsukune said simply.

"Tsukune!" Mizore's voice almost cracked.

"Don't worry, Mizore," Tsukune gave her a calm smile. "I know that Warmth has meaning to your people, and trust that your mother has her reasons."

"It makes me very happy to know that you trust me so freely," Tsurara said with a smile.

"You are Mizore's mother, and the grandmother to our daughters," Tsukune pointed out. "You are a part of my family."

"Thank you for saying so," Tsurara said as she felt happy feelings welling up inside of her. "I do have my reason for asking for his Warmth," Tsurara explained to her daughter as she willed herself not to show her feelings. "I will use some of his power to help cool myself, so I do not need to sit through a family gathering with a sucker in my mouth."

XxXxxxXxX

xxx

The gathering was being held at Mizore's house. Moka had been dropped off when Tsukune had arrived to pick up Tsurara. Kurumu had arrived earlier using Norra. All three women were quick to share pleasantries and hugs. In spite of their fierce rivalry over Tsukune they were still very close friends.

The house was filled with excited girls. The twins, Takibi and Kasai, showed their excitement on their faces as they moved from lap to lap to collect hugs from their aunties and mother. Natsuko was more verbal than the twins, giggling and laughing as she competed for attention from the adults. Fumusume was torn between acting like her mother and wanting to play with her visitors. Moka and Kurumu were happy to share hugs with the little girls, and while calmer in appearance, they were excited as well.

Eventually the little ones ran out of energy and were put to bed, in spite of sleepy protests. Soon, Mizore, Kurumu, and Moka were alone and the house was quiet for a short while. Finally Kurumu decided it was time to get down to business. She retrieved her oversized purse and pulled out a stack of magazines and folders. Moka followed her friend's example and produced a smaller stack of her own.

The woman had gathered to talk about wedding plans. Moka and Kurumu had brought a collection of wedding magazines as well as brochures from bakeries, caterers, and wedding planners. The magazines were pushed to the middle of the table. Both of the women who had brought them had already gone through them and wanted to let the other two have a turn.

Moka had two folders with her. One was filled with lose advertisements, cards, and brochures, which she was also willing to share. The other folder was filled in notes and select advertisements. The second folder contained what she wanted to use, in part or whole, for her own wedding.

Kurumu had brought more of everything. She had more magazines and four folders. The folders were thicker and very deliberately organized as well, with dividers and sticky notes to help keep it sane. She knew that she and her friends were going to be comparing notes so each of them could have unique wedding ceremonies, and had brought enough material along to make sure she was ready for any attempts to counter or copy her own ideas about her special day.

Mizore felt a little overwhelmed when she saw the arsenal that her friends pulled out. She also felt a little depressed. She knew that her ceremony was going to be a very traditional one. She also knew that her mother, and several other relatives were going to do all the real planning. All she was going to get to do was follow directions.

In spite of the obstacles she would be facing, Mizore was not going to give in without a fight. She picked up one of the magazines and started going through it. It was going to be her wedding, damn it, so she was going to make sure she was going to have some control over what was going on.

"What style of wedding are you thinking about, Moka?" Kurumu asked as she finished laying out her offerings on the table.

"I am thinking about a more western marriage ceremony," Moka said as she watched the other woman carefully.

"But Tsukune is more of a traditional kind of man," Kurumu pointed out in level voice.

"I know," Moka nodded. "But Mizore is far more suited to the traditional Japanese wedding than you or I." Moka offered a friendly smile. "Vampires and Succubi are not native to Japan after all."

"That is true," Kurumu agreed.

"What are you planning for your wedding?" Mizore asked her friend.

"Oh," Kurumu tried to keep her tone light and casual. "I was thinking about a modern western style wedding."

"That is perfect then," Moka said with a sparkle in her eye.

"It is?" Mizore and Kurumu asked together.

"Yes," Moka gave a happy nod. "Because I was thinking of an older style ceremony. The modern weddings can be very glamorous, but the older traditional style has an elegance all its own."

"Wait," Kurumu blinked. "Mizore, are you going to have a traditional Japanese wedding?"

Mizore nodded her head.

"Do you realize what this means?" Kurumu asked her two friend. When she only received questioning looks she continued. "This means that, for the first time, we are not in competition with each other."

"I would not say that," Moka smirked with her red eyes sparkling.

"What do you mean?" Mizore asked.

"We still have to set dates we can all agree to," Moka expained.

"I call next Valentine's Day," Kurumu declared quickly.

"September Twenty-first," Mizore stated firmly.

"Are you just trying to go first?" Kurumu questioned.

"No," Mizore gave a shake of her head. "The middle of Autumn is the time Snow Maidens traditionally started to prepare to go out and hunt for men... It is also the time when the successful ones would begin getting ready to return to their lovers. When I first met Tsukune it was after Summer break in our first year. It was a little early, but it was still as winter was coming closer. I want to marry Tsukune at the beginning of Autumn as a symbol of coming together."

"That is so sweet," Kurumu sighed. She turned to Moka. "What date do you want?"

"December Twenty-first," Moka said with a seductive smile. "The longest night of the year."

"Ooohhhh," Kurumu gave her friend a saucy look. "Wait." Kurumu blinked. "We really are not fighting over this. So what are we going to talk about then?"

"There are still a lot of details to take care of," Moka pointed out. From her planning folder she pulled out a small stack of cards, each with different designs on them. "Like what kind of wedding invitations to send out, and who to include on the guest lists. If we are not going to be fighting each other, we can support each other instead."

"Good point," Kurumu agreed.

Mizore gave a firm nod.

"So let's get to work," Moka said seriously.

The trio got down to business.

XxxxxxxxxX

As Tsurara entered the restaurant she was careful to remain calm. She never mentioned it to Tsukune, but she had never spent much time away from her people. Mizore going off to school had been an oddity. Her own trips to visit the school had been exceptional occasions in her life. Walking into a modern restaurant to dine with Tsukune's parents was a totally new experience, and one she would be talking about for a long time to come.

The snow woman was dressed in a kimono of dark blues with a dark red sash. Since she didn't leave her people often all she had were traditional clothes, and a dinner with Tsukune's parents was not the place for a yukata. Her natural grace and fine kimono, combined with her own beauty, made Tsurara a sight to behold. There were more than a few men that envied Tsukune as he entered the restaurant with his lover's mother.

"Oh," Kasumi gasped as she saw the pair approaching. "It is so good to see you again. When Tsukune said you would make it tonight I had my doubts about traffic, but you are right on time."

"The credit goes to your son," Tsurara replied with a small bow and a smile. "His dependability made this evening possible. And it is good to see you again."

"I must say, you look beautiful," Kasumi gushed a little. "Doesn't she Koji?"

Tsukune's father knew his wife well enough to know a dangerous setup when it came along. He also knew that Kasumi felt more than a little self conscious about being just an average housewife. Fortunately he had an easy way to side-step the pitfall.

"Almost as beautiful as yourself," Koji said with a smile for his wife.

"Oh you," Kasumi said with a mock frown and a happy blush. She took a lighthearted swing at her husband.

"Careful now," Ageha said as she arrived. "If you go on abusing him, I might just take him away from you."

"You wouldn't dare," Kasumi protested even as she offered the other woman a welcoming double handshake.

"Well if your son is good enough for my daughter," Ageha smiled. "His father should be good enough for me."

"Don't start that again," Kasumi countered. "I have had a hard enough time getting him to settle down in the first place."

The lack of any heat in the argument between the two woman told Tsurara that they were already friendly towards each other, and that they were sharing a familiar joke. In spite of the unfamiliar setting, the casual atmosphere helped to make Mizore's mother feel a little at ease. Even as she realized that the other two women were just joking, Tsurara had to admit that Tsukune's father would probably have been a good catch for her, back in her younger years.

"How has work been?" Tsukune asked his father as a way of tuning out the school-girl like banter from the women.

"Good, good," Koji answered. "And how is business for you?"

"Admirably well," Tsukune said with a small smile.

The small talk continued as the group was seated, and through the first round of drinks. Ageha and Kasumi continued to banter like good friends do, but also kept asking Tsurara polite questions to draw her into the conversation. But then Kasumi asked just the right question.

"So what has your daughter been up to?" Kasumi asked.

"She has been busy with her family," Tsurara answered. "Her daughters are growing up to be beautiful girls."

"Are they?" Kasumi questioned as she shot her son a look. "I keep telling Tsukune that I want pictures... Real ones," She added. "Not ones on his phone."

"I have a few with me," Tsurara said with a smile as she reached for her purse. "If you would like to have a look."

Out came a thick envelope of photographs. While the four little girls were not related to Ageha, she gushed over them as much as the two grandmothers. Some of the pictures of the twins were especially cute to the women. Of course with the image of grandchildren being shared, certain thoughts were inevitable.

"Tsukune..." Ageha said to him with a small pout. "I certainly hope you and Kurumu will give me a grandchild soon."

"I am sure we will be discussing that in the near future," Tsukune replied.

"I don't know," Kasumi said thoughtfully. "He already has four daughters. And he is still planing on raising a family with Moka."

"Mizore is already expecting her next child," Tsurara told the others.

"What?" Kasumi exclaimed.

"That's not fair, Tuskune," Ageha complained.

Tsurara beamed proudly. While the other women did not know how precious Mizore and Tsukune's children were to her people, it felt good to know that the other women envied her. While the girls were also Kasumi's grandchildren, Tsukune's mother did not get to see them and hold them almost every day they way Tsurara did.

"Tsukune," Kasumi chided him. "You should have some compassion for Mizore. She is a sweet girl, and you are going to wear her out."

"Mizore is very happy that Tsukune is giving her what she wants," Tsurara said.

"I am sure after their wedding, Kurumu is going to expect Tsukune to show her the same attentions," Ageha added.

"What do you mean?" Kasumi challenged. "You know Tsukune is going to marry Moka."

"Oh... You mean he has not told you yet?" Ageha acted surprised.

"I knew someone would do it for me," Tsukune shrugged.

"Tsukune?" Kasumi demanded.

"Before Moka and I are legally married," Tsukune explained. "I have agreed to have a wedding ceremony with Mizore and Kurumu."

"That doesn't make any sense," Kasumi protested.

"Actually it does," Tsukune shrugged again. "Mizore and Kurumu both want to be with me, even though I have told them over and over they could do much better and should find someone that can be devoted only to them..."

"Like hell," Ageha growled.

"Mizore has made a fine choice," Tsurara said firmly.

"So since I can't find the strength to push them away," Tsukune went on. "It is only fair that they should have some kind of special way to celebrate being together."

"How is that fair to anybody?" Kasumi argued.

"Think about it this way, Mother," Tsukune replied. "You like Kurumu and Mizore, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Kasumi said with feeling.

"And you would like them to be happy, wouldn't you?" Tsukune kept going.

"You know I do," Kasumi insisted. "I love those girls as if they were my own."

"Then I am sure you would want to have a chance to see them in wedding dresses," Tsukune went on. "I am sure they will look very beautiful."

"Oh..." Kasumi was almost in tears at the thought. In her mind she could imagine the three women in different wedding dresses.

Tsukune could tell by looking that all three women were sharing similar thoughts. He had to admit that he wondered how the women he loved would look in their wedding finest. He tried not to think about it too much, because he knew that he was going to be a part of the equation as well. Some small part of him was cringing away from the thought of being put on display three times. Somehow he knew he would not be able to get away with a simple suit and a quiet ceremony with any of them.