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 320

Kasumi was feeling dizzy from what she had learned. Her image of her son as a sweet boy was shattered. Ruby, the nice, respectable young woman, did not see Tsukune as a brother, or as some romantic possible partner. She called him 'master,' and insisted that she was his slave. That much was already enough to leave Kasumi feeling shaken.

More details came out over, and following, dinner. Kasumi knew that Ruby had lost her family to a drunk driver, and at one time had attacked her son because of it. She had not known that Ruby had actually been intent on killing Tsukune. She understood why nobody wanted to go into details. She was told how Ruby had been blinded by the pain of losing her parents and in anger and confusion she had attacked and cut Tsukune badly. But before he had even finished recovering, he had forgiven the young woman and tried to befriend her.

The rest of the story was an emotional roller coaster for Tsukune's mother. The woman that had taken in Ruby after her parents had died had a grudge of her own, and had poisoned the then little girl's mind with it. When Tsukune, an average looking boy, had appeared, with a group of girls, including the then still small and young Yukari, Ruby's own pain was manipulated by her guardian, setting off the attack against Tsukune. Kasumi could clearly see that Ruby had been trapped in an abusive home.

Tsukune had freed Ruby from that prison. When she had tried to argue against her guardian and caregiver, that Tsukune, and therefor other men were not all evil, the older woman had turned on Ruby. Moka, Kurumu, Yukari, and Tsukune together were forced to protect themselves, and in doing so had saved Ruby's life. After that day, Ruby had finally been free to think for herself. She was finally free to get to know people, and not just see them as strangers and enemies. For the first time in her memory, Ruby had friends, and it was all thanks to Tsukune.

Tsukune had forgiven her for attacking him. He had convinced the other members of the Newspaper Club to give Ruby a chance. Together they had brought her out of a painful and lonely world into a whole new life.

But it had not all been perfect and wonderful. Tsukune and his friends still had classes to attend and assignments to complete. Ruby could see them on occasion, and watch them from a distance. Once in a while she would actually get to talk with them, and each time she got the chance, Tsukune was warm and kind to her, with no sign of any resentment for the pain and trouble she had caused him. Ruby was firmly and unwaveringly in love with someone that almost never had any time for her.

But then there came one night, when Ruby and Tsukune had been alone. They had the freedom to spend a little time relaxing and talking, and things had become emotional. Ruby just needed to feel connected, to feel close to someone, and most specifically wanted to feel close to Tsukune. Kasumi had strained her back a few times, and knew how badly it could hurt. The idea that her son, through a stupid accident, had pulled his back out so badly that all he could do was lay on the floor, twisting in pain, made his mother want to cry.

The fact that Ruby had not realized what had happened when she and Tsukune had fallen only made what she did next a greater sin. She had taken advantage of Tsukune being caught in her arms, under her body, to kiss him, even though she knew he was interested in someone else. Her kiss, her taking Tsukune's first kiss, by keeping him pinned to the floor with her body weight had made the injury to his back worse. When she finally realized what had happened, Ruby had panicked.

Kasumi could understand Ruby's panic. Calling for Moka would have made sense, in so far as needing a friend in a crisis, and wanting the help of someone that would want to help Tsukune. Of course since she had not been there in the middle of the moment where things had gone wrong, it was easy for Tsukune's mother to see the danger of telling the girlfriend of the injured boy about what had happened, and the how and why of it all. It made perfect sense that Moka would be upset.

While Kasumi would imagine any girl being upset, Moka had an impressive level to her expressing her displeasure. Tsukune had been telling Ruby's story with more detail than Kasumi had ever gathered before, and it had filled her with emotion, in spite of the fact that she was sure that her son was still watering down the facts. This was made all the more evident at this point in the story.

"Moka took charge once she got there," Tsukune went on with the story. "She knew Ruby was good with herbal teas and medicines, and had her make something for me. She knew I should not be made to move more than I had to, so after giving me the tea so I could relax and move a little, Moka put me in Ruby's bed to rest."

"She then went back out of the bedroom to talk with Ruby over what had happened," Tsukune continued.

"I went out to find out why Tsukune's shirt was covered with her makeup," Moka said in a near growl. "I wanted her to tell me why her lipstick was on Tsukune's lips, and just what had been going on when my Tsukune had gotten so badly hurt."

Kasumi could hear the passion in Moka's voice. There was still some real anger in there as she remembered that night. It made the woman feel good to know her son was so well loved by his fiance.

"When Ruby explained things..." Tsukune began.

"When I took Tsukune's clothes, with her makeup all over them and shoved them in her face so she couldn't lie to me," Moka cut Tsukune off. "Ruby told me what she had done. When I found out she had taken advantage of Tsukune when he had already been hurt, and made things worse by doing that, I was going to kill her."

"You sound like you really mean that," Kasumi said with a little giggle.

"I did," Moka replied.

"She did," Tsukune added. "I almost couldn't stop her."

"What?" Kasumi gasped.

"Ruby knew that Tsukune was mine," Moka said with conviction. "I was not going to let her get away with what she had done. I was going to kill her and use her as a warning for anybody that tried to hurt my Tsukune or take him away from me."

"Oh my..." Kasumi breathed.

"But Tsukune stopped me," Moka's expression softened as her eyes went to his face.

"How?" Kasumi asked. She was on the edge of her seat as she listened to the dramatic story. "What happened?"

"Tsukune had been given a strong medicine," Moka explained. "He should have been asleep all night. But somehow he had heard what was happening, and had gotten out of bed." Moka's smile grew proud. "He could barely move, but he had found the strength to stand up and get in my way. He kept me from doing something that would have caused me trouble, and would have hurt our relationship."

"Tsukune protected Ruby from my anger," Moka said. "And protected me from myself."

"Wait..." Kasumi frowned. "You had put Tsukune into bed, and then took his clothes..." She looked Moka. She tried to image her son in the roll of the weak but determined hero, wrapped in a bed sheet. "So what did he have on when he stopped you?"

Moka didn't say anything, but she did blush deeply. A quick look was enough to see that Ruby was blushing as well. Kasumi realized that Tsukune had not bothered with a bed sheet, and felt herself growing a little warm as well.

"Once things calmed down," Tsukune tried to resume the story.

"Once Tsukune calmed me down," Moka corrected. "And once he saw that Ruby wasn't going to be killed, he almost collapsed. It had only been his desire to protect others that had been holding him up." She had another proud smile for him, then returned to the story. "When I went to put Tsukune back in bed I decided that I still needed to do something about Ruby. I was not going to put up with her trying to take Tsukune away from me."

"I gave Ruby a choice," Moka continued. "She could leave, and I would let her go, as long as she simply stayed away from Tsukune forever..."

"But that would be so cruel," Kasumi protested.

"Or," Moka went on. "She could swear to be his slave. She could reduce herself to a thing." Moka gave a small, embarrassed smile. "I was so worried about appearances and status back then." She gave a small laugh. "I thought that if Ruby was only a servant, she would be too unimportant. She would never be worthy of Tsukune if she was just a slave. She could be around him, and he would have someone to help him when things were busy, but she would not be any kind of competition anymore."

"So that's why you did it?" Kyouko spoke up for the first time.

"In part," Ruby nodded with a small, suggestive smile.

"That still seems harsh to me," Kasumi said.

"I was still upset," Moka agreed. "But I was also younger and more foolish then." She gave Tsukune a loving smile. "Tsukune has worked hard to get to where he is, and time after time, he has told me that it was to prove that he wants to be worthy to be with me. But the truth is, that while I was raised to always be worried about appearances and status, and that people who are servants are things, not worth of caring about, Tsukune has a much bigger heart than I realized back then. Tsukune doesn't care about a person's social status."

"That is a good thing," Kasumi said. "Everybody should be accepted for who they are, and not just the amount of money they make or how big of a house they grew up in."

"I understand that now, Mother," Moka nodded. "But back then, when I was trying to punish Ruby, I was being foolish. I ended up giving her what she really wanted most."

"Ruby dear?" Kasumi turned to the maid in question.

"Yes, Mother," Ruby grinned. It was funny how she was calling Tsukune Master so formally, but was so close and informal with his mother at the same time. "I am far more happy with my life than I could have imagined. Because of Moka, I get to be with Tsukune. For the rest of my life, I will get to be a part of his."

"Oh..." Kasumi was on the edge of tears. The story had been a roller coaster ride for her emotions, but the open and happy expression on Ruby's face was one that touched her heart. She loved Ruby like a daughter, and seeing how happy she was filled Kasumi with a warm, joyful feeling.

"When I woke up the next day," Tsukune returned to the story. "Most of this was missing from my mind. Moka and Ruby had to explain everything to me, and then I had to decide if I could accept what had been decided."

"It took me some time," Tsukune went on. "But I realized that if I cared for Ruby at all, I needed to accept her oath of service and take it seriously." He gave a small sigh. "I think I finally started to grow up after that."

"What do you mean?" Kasumi asked.

"It was then that I finally realized that what I did effected others," Tsukune answered. "It was then that it started to become clear that I had to be more responsible than just looking after myself and doing the right thing. I had to start thinking about doing what was right, not just for me or the people I care about, but for everybody in my life."

"Why didn't you tell me all of this before?" Kasumi demanded.

"It just was not the right time," Tsukune shrugged.

"Tsukune," Kyouko sighed. "Your life is like one of your mother's dramas."

"I know," Tsukune gave a sigh of his own.

"Isn't it exciting?" Kasumi smile was practically glowing.

"Aunty," Kyouko protested.

"What?" Kasumi demanded.

"Wait for it..." Tsukune turned to his cousin with an evil grin.

"Wait for what?" Kasumi, Kyouko, and even Moka all asked at once.

"For you to realize the bad news," Tsukune said to his mother.

Koji, who already understood what was coming gave a dark chuckle.

"What bad news?" Kasumi questioned while shooting her husband a dark look.

"You can't tell your friends about any of this," Tsukune answered her.

"What do..." Kasumi began. "But..." Her mind tried to find an argument as understanding of reality settled over her. "Tsukune! This is horrible!"

Koji gave a laugh at his wife's tragic cry. Kyouko and Moka both had amused looks.

"I can't believe you," Kasumi pouted even as she slapped her husband's arm. "You tell me this wonderful story, and I cannot share it with anybody."

"Well, I do have some good news for you," Tsukune smiled.

"What is it?" His mother frowned suspiciously.

"I still have a lot more to tell you," Tsukune told her. "And there are a few people you can talk with about it all."

"Really?" Kasumi perked up. "What? Who?"

"Well, you just heard Ruby's story," Tsukune answered. "But I still have to tell you about Moka, Kurumu, Mizore, and even Inari."

Kasumi squirmed in her seat as the idea of more romantic and dramatic stories rushed through her head.

"And of course you can talk with any of them," Tsukune went on. "And their mothers. I know you spend time with Ageha. I am sure she would love the chance to talk more about Kurumu and I."

"Yes," Kasumi agreed.

"But first," Tsukune said, fighting down nervousness to press on while he had the chance. "Let me tell you about how Moka and I got to know each other."

Moka's expression became one of pained embarrassment and nervousness. Kasumi was smiling from ear to ear. Kyouko knew some of what was coming, and was unsure of how she felt about what she suspected was about to come out.

"It happened on the very first day of high school," Tsukune began the next story. "I was excited and frightened at the same time. There I was, on my way to a school I knew nothing about, walking from the bus stop through strange woods, where everything looked like it was still dead from winter."

As Tsukune talked, Ruby poured drinks. He had tea to keep his throat wet so he could keep talking. His father was also sipping tea. Tsukune's mother on the other hand was being given a nice flavored wine to help her be relaxed.

"When out of nowhere," Tsukune continued. "The cutest, most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life appeared."

"Awwww," Kasumi sighed with a smile.

"And crashed in to me with her bicycle..." Tsukuen added.

"Tsukune," Moka protested.

"When I realized what had hit me," Tsukune went on. "We were tangled up on the ground. She was upset for running into me, but she was so cute all I could do was forgive her, and be happy that she even noticed me."

"Awwww..." Kasumi and Moka said at the same time.

"And then she bit me," Tsukune said with a grin.

"Tsukune!" Moka protested.

"What?" Kasumi's eyes went wide.

"That was a very long and exhausting and strange day," Tsukune said.

"What do you mean she bit you?" Kasumi questioned.

"That was the day Moka and I became friends," Tsukune pressed on. "And I found out how much of a mistake it was for me to be going to that school."

"Tsukune!" His mother scolded him for not sticking to the point she wanted to know more about.

"I was happy to know Moka, but I was so afraid of that school and everybody there," Tsukune went on. "At the end of the day I lied to Moka and told her I hated her and tried to run away, from her, and the school. It was right after that when she was attacked."

Kasumi had heard about the attack before. Her breath still caught in her throat, thinking of someone trying to force themselves on the cute girl Moka was back then. Even though she knew things had worked out, she was still caught up in the story and on the edge of her seat.

"The one attacking her was an ogre," Tsukune said. "He saw how beautiful Moka was, and had attacked her because he thought he could get away with it. I was frightened, but when I heard Moka scream, I knew I had to go to her."

"Moka had trusted me with her biggest secret and asked me to be her friend," Tsukune said as he looked the woman he loved most in the eyes. "A nobody like me, and she was willing to be my friend and asked me to be hers, and I had said I hated her just because I was afraid of her and what she represented. When she screamed, I knew that I needed to do what was right. I needed to help my friend."

"There really was nothing I could do against an ogre that day," Tsukune continued. "But I was determined to try. I threw myself at him. It was worth nothing as an attack, but it made for a good distraction."

"Oh..." Kasumi's lip was starting to tremble.

"I got beat up," Tsukune went on unashamed. "But I protected Moka, and gave her the opportunity that she needed. She was freed to use her true strength. She beat the orge, and probably saved my life." He smiled at Moka with love in his eyes. "Before, when I had gone to help her, I told her I had lied. I didn't hate her, and I didn't care what she was."

"If I head kept running that day," Tsukune said to his mother. "My life would not have been worth living. But by turning around... By going back to face my fear and to try to do the right thing, I started down a path that changed everything for me. By going back, and by risking my life, I was stepping into Moka's world. I did not know what I was getting into, but it was worth it."

"Mother," Tsukune said in a caring voice. "I love Moka, and since that day, I have been able to accept what she is without fear, because it meant that I could be her friend and be close to her. I hope that you can accept Moka as a part of the family when you know the truth."

"What truth?" Kasumi questioned. "What are you saying?"

"Moka?" Tsukune offered his fiance the chance to share her secret herself.

"Moka?" Kasumi turned to the sweet pink-haired, green-eyed young woman she loved like a daughter.

"Mother," Moka said nervously. "I have something I need to tell you."

Kasumi gave a gasp of surprise as Moka's hair turned to pure silver, her eyes turned red, and her body transformed in subtle ways. It was like she had become a whole different person; as if she had turned into her own big sister. Tsukune's mother tried to make sense of what she had just witnessed, but didn't get the chance.

"Before I marry Tsukune, we thought you should be told the truth," Moka said. "I am a Vampire."