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 319

The home of Aono Tsukune was filled with fear and excitement. Ruby was in a cold sweat as she scrubbed, polished, and cleaned everything she could think of. She had the Me sisters doing the same. She had even gone so far as to make sure every stitch of clothing in the home was washed and put away properly, even if it had not been worn in a year or more.

The panic had actually started two days before. Tsukune had been enjoying a quiet night at home for a change. He was casually studying one of his books about power and energy focusing, while Ruby knelt on the floor with her head in his lap. Between turning pages, Tsukune stroked her hair as if petting an animal.

"Ruby," Tsukune broke the quiet with a relaxed voice. "I am sure you have already thought about this, but I want you to plan a special dinner party for my parents."

"Yes Master," Ruby replied without lifting her head from his lap.

"I am going to invite them here," Tsukune went on. "And I will include Kyouko if she is free as well."

"I will make you proud, Master," Ruby said.

She did not get up, but her mind set to work on the instant. Tsukune had been correct. Ruby did have plans in her mind for when she would be able to someday host his parents. Without leaving her happy place at her master's side, Ruby started reviewing her plans.

It was the following evening, when Tsukune added to the task, and the pressure there of, that he had handed to Ruby. He had come home from work with a relaxed smile, as if happy that life was going his way for a change. In passing he gave Ruby a little additional information.

"Ruby," Tsukune had said. "Kyouko said she would make it to the dinner party. Moka will also be here."

"Yes Master," Ruby had answered, to show that she was paying attention. "And do you know when you will want to host your parents?"

"Day after tomorrow," Tsukune had said offhandedly.

Ruby froze in shock. She realized that she had under forty-eight hours to finish her plans for the dinner party and to have everything ready. She also realized that it would be the first time Tsukune's mother saw the real home of her son. It was only her pride in being the bet possible slave to her master that kept her from fainting on the spot.

xXx

Forty-three hours after Tsukune's casual declaration of a deadline, Ruby was in a near panic. The dinner was cooking, the apartment was spotless. Her and the Me sister's uniforms were perfect. Two sets of clothes were laid out for her master; a suit and a kimono. She knew that it was supposed to be a comfortable, family dinner, but Ruby was still afraid she was overlooking something.

Ruby was still chasing her tail, rechecking everything, when Tsukune came home. Eager to be of service to her master, and anxious about the evening ahead, Ruby hovered around him. A part of her was in awe of how calm and composed her master was. What she did not know was how nervous he was feeling at the time as well. If she had not been in such a worked up state, Ruby would have noticed the small signs that her master was not as calm as he was pretending.

Tsukune had gone in to the office just so he could keep himself distracted. Their was always something on his desk that needed attention. Inari kept most things under control for him, but sometimes that was not enough. There were schedules to adjust, clients to check in with, or just contacts that he wanted to stay on good terms with.

Tsukune finally returned to his home so he would have enough time to get ready to host his parents. Tonight he was going to start telling his mother more about the world he lived in, and if she took it well, he knew the whole truth would be coming out. He had invited his cousin so she could help comfort his mother in case she took the news in a bad way.

XxxxxX

XX

Kasumi was wondering what her husband was planing. They were going over to have dinner with Tsukune and Moka, but for some reason Koji was acting nervous. It was true that they did not visit their son's home very often. It had been a couple of years since the last time they had gotten together in the small apartment. If had been a nice little family dinner, even if was a bit cramped. But even if she and her husband didn't visit Tsukune's home regularly, he still managed to come see them. Kasumi could not imagine what was making her husband nervous.

Koji's nervousness was infecting her. The more she tried to figure out what could be bothering her husband, the more Kasumi started to imagine possible problems. Her first fear was that Tsukune and Moka had a falling out. She was able to dismiss that idea because she was sure Tsukune would not be hosting a family dinner if that had happened. She couldn't believe that Tsukune's company had failed and that he was broke and had to move back home and was inviting his parents over to soften the news. Koji knew something at the very least, so Kasumi tried to guess in her mind what Tsukune might tell his father but not her.

Neither Koji or Tsukune were very interested in sports. The two Aono men had no hobbies in common that Kasumi could think of, so if they talked about anything it would probably be something important. If it was about Moka, or any of the other girls, Kasumi was sure that Tsukune would come to her. Maybe unless it was something she would be disappointed about, she mused.

If they were not breaking up, Kasumi tried to think of some other reason why Tsukune wouldn't tell her something about Moka. She tried to think of everything she knew. She knew, for example that Mizore was with child, again.

A sudden thrill shot through Kasumi as her husband drove them to Tsukune's home. She thought she found the answer that fit the puzzle. Tsukune must have gotten Moka pregnant. There would be some embarrassment for her to get pregnant before their wedding, and if Tsukune had confided in his father, Koji might be worried how she would take the news when she was told over dinner.

Kasumi's mind settled on the idea of an unplanned pregnancy being the reason for the family dinner, and for her husband to be acting nervous. As she waited to arrive at Tsukune's home, she worked the idea around in her mind, coming up with variations to it. Maybe it wasn't Moka that was pregnant... Ruby could possibly be pregnant, Kasumi considered. Given the woman's devotion to her son, and his apparent inability to resist a woman's charms, it was easy to imagine Ruby carrying Tsukune's baby.

Kasumi was not sure how she would feel about some of the situations she was imagining. Ruby was almost like a daughter to her, which would make it a little difficult if she was pregnant with Tsukune's child when he was going to marry Moka. She realized that did not have to be the case though. The young woman Inari could be involved instead. She was a nice young woman, and close to Tsukune. If she and Tsukune had a romance it could strain things.

Kasumi was still going over ideas about pregnant young women as her husband parked the car. She was playing with the thought that maybe Inari and Ruby were both pregnant, and that Moka was feeling jealous, when her husband opened her door for her. Tsukune's mother had to give herself a little shake to bring herself back into the moment.

Kasumi accepted her husband's hand as she swung her legs out. With a smile for Koji she stood, then paused to make sure her skirt and blouse were straight. It was supposed to be an informal family dinner, but she couldn't resist dressing up a little.

"Thank you for coming," Tsukune voice carried to where his parents stood beside their car.

Kasumi gave a small jump of surprise before turning to face her son. Koji let his wife move out of the way then closed the door he had been holding open for her. Together they walked over to where Tsukune stood.

"Mother, Father," Tsukune offered a nervous smile. "You are looking well."

"Tsukune," Kasumi said as she drew close. "Is everything alright with you and Moka?" She couldn't help but ask. In spite of whatever else she thought, she worried about the precious young women she considered daughters of her heart.

"Everything is fine," Tsukune answered. "Kurumu is also doing well, and Mizore and the girls are happy and healthy."

"It's just you don't normally invite us over," Kasumi pointed out. "And your father has a nervous twitch tonight. Is there something you've not told me?"

"There are a lot of things I haven't told you," Tsukune said honestly, with a smirk of the irony of the moment. "But why don't you come up stairs so I can tell you some of them?" He made a small bow and waved towards the elevator.

Kasumi paused only for a moment before moving to follow Tsukune's direction. She was amused by what her son had said, but also a little shaken by it. She was his mother. He admitted to keeping secrets from her, and that just wasn't fair.

"Tsukune," Kasumi said as she entered the elevator. "I know that there is a certain value in being careful with your money, but I have heard how well your business is doing. Don't you think it may be time to move to a larger apart... What?" She was surprised when both her husband and her son interrupted her with choked down laughter.

"Don't worry about it dear," Koji began.

"I don't plan to be using that apartment anymore," Tsukune continued as he pushed the button for the top floor.

"Did you invite us over to show us your new apartment?" Kasumi asked.

"Not exactly," Tsukune replied.

"You should have told me you were moving," Kasumi protested. "I would have brought you a house warming present."

"There is no need for that," Koji waved away the notion.

"But a new place can be important," Kasumi scolded her husband. She turned back to her son. "Wait... Are you showing us the place where you plan to life after you get married?"

"I don't know for sure," Tsukune shrugged. "But I kind of doubt it."

Kasumi frowned with confusion. She was having a hard time understanding what her son was thinking, or saying. When the elevator opened, she followed Tsukune down the hall while trying to reason things out in her mind. She almost walked into him when he stopped in front of his door.

"Mother," Tsukune swallowed nervously. "Tonight is going to be... different from what you are used to. Please try to be reasona... Never mind that. Please just trust Father and I and not let anything put you into a panic." Tsukune gave a single knock on his door before pushing it open.

"Tsukune, what are..." Kasumi began.

"Welcome back Master," Ruby said from within the apartment.

Kasumi froze in surprise and confusion. Ruby was dressed as a maid, and acting like one. Tsukune's mother felt queezy, fearing that her son may have turned out to be not right in the head if he was making sweet Ruby act in some strange role-play.

"Come on in," Tsukune invited his mother. "There are some things I need to tell you."

Koji delicately guided his wife into the apartment. The night was just getting started, and there was a plan to follow. He just hoped he understood his wife as well as he thought he did.

XxX

Kyouko greeted her aunt. She had arrived early to be sure she would be on hand to help support the older woman. She had some idea of how upsetting the truth of Tsukune's life could be, so it made sense for her to be there.

Kyouko had been talking with Ruby until Tsukune's parents arrived. As soon as Tsukune had reached the door, Ruby had gone from being casual, to being as proper and formal as she could be. It was an interesting transformation to see.

Moka arrived a few minutes later. She shared a hug with Tsukune before greeting his parents warmly. Kasumi eyed the younger woman carefully for any signs she might be pregnant, or maybe had been fighting with Tsukune, but found none, which only added to her frustration.

With everybody there, it was time to serve dinner. Everybody gathered around the table, then Ruby moved to stand behind Tsukune. From there she directed the Me sisters with hand signals and nods.

"Tsukune," Kasumi asked when she saw the two serving girls for the first time. "Who are these nice girls?"

"They are just maids," Tsukune said in a calm tone of voice. "Don't worry about them."

"Why do you have maids?" Kasumi demanded. She turned about so she could watch the Me sisters work.

"Mother, you will embarrass them if you watch them like that," Tsukune told her. "It looks like you don't trust them."

"But why do you have them?" Kasumi asked as she turned back to her son. "I am sure they are very good at their jobs, but should you really have them working for you like this?"

"The Me sisters are my responsibility," Tsukune said in a careful voice. "They need something to do, or they would be worried that I might just cast them aside. When they first came to me, I didn't know what to do, so I told Ruby to take charge of them."

"Ruby?" Kasumi questioned.

"It is as Master says," Ruby answered.

"And why are you calling him master?" Kasumi demanded with a frown.

"Now there is an interesting story," Tsukune said with a slightly pained look on his face. "Why don't we go ahead and eat while I tell it."

"Tsukune," Moka argued. "Why do you want to tell that story?" She was already looking embarrassed.

"Because it gives me a place to start," Tsukune shrugged. "Unless you want me to start with how you and I first met."

Moka glanced at Kasumi briefly, then blushed deeply.

"Tsukune?" His mother questioned.

"It happened after Summer break in my second hear of high school," Tsukune began. "A lot had been going on then, but I was taking a small break to visit with Ruby..."