"This brings back so many memories."

Kurumu smiled as she left her shoes in her cubby. Mommy stowed her tan flats in an empty slot near Kurumu's. Grabbing mommy's hand, Kurumu led the way to the grand staircase, feeling nervous about the pending encounter.

She had no idea how long they had been out last night. After hearing poor Ms. Yumeito's problems, Kurumu had finally succumbed to the pressures of excessive drinking. At first it had been this feeling of her being impolite by abstaining, but the liquor was much stronger than the sake Hinoko made from water. About six cups in, she had turned in for the night in mommy's lap.

Mommy's friend was an oomukade. Like jorougumo, her race had a primal urge to devour her mate during copulation. It was a primal instinct which required the oomukade to take proper precautions to avoid such a fatal outcome. Considering these precautions were as simple as being drugged or stuffed silly with food, it was clear Ms. Yumeito had not planned any of her assaults. Normally her kind preferred to mate with humans or male oomukade, but mommy's friend had been single for so long that she was willing to be with any man whom would put up with her disgusting true form.

"You know this school is so much bigger than it used to be."

Kurumu smiled as they started up the stairs.

"It seems to look like an old building to me."

"Oh, I'm sure this section is ancient. I think they said the Headmaster turned his home into the school."

Kurumu shrugged, having no idea. She had woken up half naked in Ms. Nekonome's apartment this morning to the scent of breakfast. Her silly mother had been dressed in only an apron, which sadly was not the first time Kurumu had seen mommy naked. Apparently mommy had puked all over herself and Kurumu, explaining why her blouse and bra had been removed. Mommy had stuffed all their soiled clothes in a plastic bag, planning to borrow some shirts from Ms. Nekonome after breakfast.

Their host had passed out in the small genkan, having been in worse condition than either of them. Being single, Ms. Atsumoto had spent the night with them, locking up and helping them undress. The woman had apologized for not waking up first, admitting she always overslept on the weekends. She had wished them luck when they had left the apartment, promising to take care of Ms. Nekonome whom had been half awake in the shower at that time.

Worried of any encounters with mommy dressed in only a long tee shirt, Kurumu had thanked the celestial beings for an uneventful walk to her suite. That had been around ten and there had been a note stuck to her door. Her mistress was angry that her servant was shirking her duties and hoped she would appear in the computer lab around one to receive her punishment.

Deciding honesty was best, Kurumu had admitted to making a deal with Kokoa to save Tsukune's life. Mommy had expressed concerns but dropped the issue when realizing it was a deal made with a child. They had changed clothes after the short discussion and showers, Kurumu favoring her green tank top with the strap of fabric down the center of her back and her snug denim shorts without the hole.

Mommy had squeezed into some black jeans which would have betrayed panty lines if she had worn any. The silly woman had forgotten to bring spare underwear or bras. Insisting on spending some time flying together in the nearby woods, mommy had worn a cream, short sleeved blouse with an open back. Her mother was clearly out of practice, having even less stamina than Kurumu. Somehow they managed to stretch the activity past eleven before returning to the suite.

Reluctant to make an appearance at the dining hall with mommy, Kurumu had encouraged having lunch in her suite with what food they could scrounge up in the commissary. While Kurumu had no objections to mommy meeting her friends from the newspaper club, she had no desire for the whole school knowing her mother had stopped by. She might have felt different if she had seen more parents visiting their kids, so knowing this was unusual, she did not want to deal with any rumors.

As there had been more than an hour to kill, Kurumu had randomly talked about several things such as what had happened to Yukari and how she fixed her by taking away her painful memories. She also mentioned Yoshii and his plans to destroy the world by awakening a relentless monster with Moka's blood. She brought up Mizore's absence these past couple days and how the girl was engaged to an apathetic boy and how her village was forcing her to be the next snow priestess.

Mommy was unsettled by all the serious discussion, trying to redirect the conversation to simple things like how to make Kurumu's suite more like a home and making a list of things they should purchase. She also promised to send her bed and all her stuffed animals next weekend, having confirmed with Mr. Nurari that she could have all those things delivered. Kurumu had laughed about not having a place to sleep over the summer, but mommy hoped Kurumu would not mind sharing her bed.

Kurumu paused at the top of the stairs, aware how quiet the school was on the weekends. She smiled back at mommy, tugging her off toward the hall on their right.

"I don't know if everyone will be working already or not. Try not to cause too much trouble."

"I wouldn't dream to."

Kurumu nodded, though she doubted mommy would remain quiet. She figured mommy might behave for twenty minutes at best before demanding someone to converse with her. She imagined it would either end up Ginei or Tsukune, since she had never seen mommy talk with women. Other than last night's surprisingly civil interactions, mommy normally avoided the women of the village, since most accused her of immoral behavior.

"This wasn't here when I was in school."

Kurumu frowned at the start of the hallway for the elective courses. Mommy smiled, gesturing in the direction of their destination.

"There wasn't a wing full of classes here."

Letting go of Kurumu's hand she gestured about the main hall.

"This used to be a bunch of small storage rooms and the nurse office was downstairs with the detention room. It looks like they tore everything out for a wider hallway."

"Half the rooms here are still empty."

Mommy laughed, shaking her head.

"I'm saying this whole wing wasn't here. Just this small stretch to that stairway. They must have added this when they expanded the school again."

Kurumu shrugged, not seeing how this hall was any different than hers. It was the exact same design and certainly did not look any newer.

"Are you sure?"

Mommy grinned, walking by Kurumu on the left side of the openings to the floor below where the third year homerooms were. Mommy gestured off to her left.

"I understand the old school from the sixties was knocked down. It used to be separate from the house and the cafeteria. They built a two story building on that side of the tree in the late sixties to connect the house to the cafeteria. Something about not wanting to cut down the sacred tree."

Kurumu nodded, following after mommy.

"I suppose that makes sense. Does that mean all three years were in the same wing?"

"Mhm. Both the first and second years were upstairs with the seniors on the lower level."

Kurumu frowned as they continued down the hall, notably on the wrong side since the computer lab was by the nurse office.

"There's not enough classrooms to have both grades on the upper level."

Mommy shrugged.

"Maybe they've remodeled things. When I was in school, our classrooms sizes were pushing thirty five. You mentioned only having twenty five or so. It might be some time before they need to expand again."

Kurumu smirked, doubting they would ever need to with all these empty rooms on this side of the hall.

"You know that auditorium was new when I was here. They had just finished building it in 85 with rumors about joining the high school sports program."

Kurumu smiled, shaking her head. She remembered some of the chatter from last night. Coach Yaisoku had also petitioned for the tennis court complex to be built in 98, since the facilities at the time were unfit to host an event with other schools.

"The lab is across the hallway."

Mommy nodded as she walked over to the next path which would allow her to cross over to the other side. She gestured over the railing.

"Does your hallway have all these openings?"

"Yea. Why?"

Mommy laughed, shaking her head.

"Whose idea was it to take the floors out? They've definitely done some work since I was here."

Kurumu smiled, mildly curious what the old school had looked like. They walked by the nurse office and the adjacent bathrooms. Kurumu quickened her stride so she could reach the back door first, drawing it open for mommy and gesturing inside. She slipped in behind mommy, closing the door.

Their arrival was immediately noticed by the two vampires hovering about the station closest to the back door. Moka was wearing that lilac dress and matching jacket from the first day of their field trip, standing behind her sister's chair with an idle hand on Kokoa's bared shoulder. Her little sister was wearing a sleeveless and strapless, black corset dress which was tied up tightly in the front with black lace and silver buckles without any hints of her padding her bosom. The ruffled skirt fell past her knees as she hopped up from her seat to poke Kurumu's breast.

"You are a horrible servant!"

Kokoa stiffened when Kurumu's mother placed a hand on the vampire's head.

"Hello, little one. I'm surprised you enrolled here."

Kokoa huffed, crossing her arms below her bosom. She made no attempt to remove mommy's hand as Moka quietly slipped around her sister to give Kurumu a hug. Kurumu sighed, relaxing against Moka.

"Mother said nothing about you coming here."

"You're much livelier than I remember."

Kokoa blushed, glancing away.

"You should take Mother's offer. You could live on our estate."

Mommy chuckled, tousling the girl's reddish locks.

"Let me have my last two years."

Taking in a deep breath, Kurumu pawed at mommy for attention while still holding Moka.

"This is her sister, Moka."

Mommy grinned, stepping closer to caress Moka's cheek. The vampire stiffened in Kurumu's embrace.

"So this is the friend trying to steal your man."

Kokoa huffed as Moka pouted.

"Mr. Aono is property of the Shuzen estate. Moka, Mother and I have all participated to make him one of our own."

"Yes, my daughter has explained the Rite of Ascension and that she agreed to become yours so you would give your blood to him."

Moka drew away from Kurumu's mother, tugging Kurumu close to her with surprising authority.

"No. Kurumu's service belongs to Kokoa. Her blood is mine."

Kurumu could see mommy's confusion. She struggled to free herself but Moka only squeezed her tighter, causing her to gasp. The look in mommy's eye turned to amusement.

"You know I felt very possessive of my rivals too. I hope you stay closer to yours than I did mine."

"My sister speaks of her blood claim. When a vampire drinks blood from someone, they are marked. She has also claimed Mr. Aono. Once Mother declares the Rite a success, she will either present him formally as a member of our household to the vampire community or she will postpone the announcement until after Mr. Aono bests my real sister in combat to declare him her fiancé."

Mommy chuckled, turning her attention to the other occupants of the room.

"I think we should hear what Mr. Aono feels about this."

"Mr. Aono has no say in the matter."

"Oh, I doubt that."

Mommy stalked off, prompting Kokoa to frown and follow after her. Moka loosened her hold on Kurumu, allowing them to slowly walk up the aisle between the stations.

"You can let go of me."

"She's not here to take you away, right?"

That realistic concern had not popped in her mind.

"No, I'm staying."

Kurumu nestled in closer, finally taking note of the others in the room. Tora was seated at the nearest computer at station three, dressed in a simple white polo and black slacks. Ginei leaned on the table behind the console. Their senior was wearing a scarlet dress shirt left untucked over a pair of long cargo shorts. He had a black bandana in his dark locks as he flashed them a tooth grin.

"Honey. You should introduce me to this young man whom is making my body tingle."

Kurumu gagged, able to pull free of Moka to spring quickly over to Kokoa's side. Tsukune looked pale as a sheet as he stared at the floor. He must have been on the same wavelength as Moka since he was wearing the green cargos and black shirt from the first day of the field trip. He even had the shirt unbuttoned over a white tee.

He was flanked by Kana and Kiki, all standing at the center desk in front of the teacher's podium. Kana smirked at the situation, her arms crossed over a black tee with an anime print for Full Metal Alchemist. Whatever that was. The blond had a simple pair of jeans that were slightly discolored at the knees.

Kiki was blushing while looking aside and fidgeting her hands in front of the hem of her pleated, tartan skirt which was predominantly pink. Her white blouse had a silky shine to it with puffy, short sleeves about her narrow shoulders. She had her hair pulled back in her usual five tail style.

"I certainly hope you aren't having any thoughts about my mother."

"I have not said a thing!"

Mommy giggled, crossing her arms below her ample bosom.

"Dating a succubus, you should realize a lot can be conveyed without a spoken word."

"I'm sorry, Kurumu. I was just thinking how much she looks like you."

Kana chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.

"You have to admit you two look alike. She could pass as your older sister."

"That's so sweet of you. I suppose I have not properly introduced myself yet. I am Kurono Ageha, Kurumu's mother. I feel like I know most of you, since she has been kind enough to provide copies of your papers with the letters she sends me."

Tsukune bowed stiffly.

"I am Aono Tsukune. Your daughter has been very kind to me."

Mommy smiled, bowing her head.

"Please take good care of my daughter."

"Excuse me, but she is my servant and my sister has marked her. What happens to her is up to us."

Mommy laughed, tousling Kokoa's hair again.

"Then you should take care of her heart if you want to keep her."

Kokoa sighed, enduring the affection.

"I am thinking of her heart."

Mommy grinned, turning her attention back to Tsukune.

"I do hope these ladies with you aren't also vying for your affection."

Kana snickered, shaking her head.

"Aono isn't worth the trouble."

"This is Zukkutani Kana, the girl that draws the comic."

"I do recognize her from the paper. And her?"

Kiki curtsied.

"Honda Kiki. I'm new to the club."

"Ah, so this is another girl that wants your boyfriend."

Kurumu cringed as Kiki's golden eyes widened. Kurumu stepped over to place a hand on Kiki's shoulder, shaking her head as she wagged a hand at her mother.

"That's old news. I'm so sorry, Kiki. I only mentioned you like once to my mother and that was back before I knew much at all about you. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. People often fussed over that when I was around Shuiro."

Kurumu gave Kiki a brief hug as mommy giggled behind her.

"I'm sorry, my dear. Kurumu implied you might have interest in Aono and hearing that you joined the club had me draw such a conclusion."

Tsukune chuckled nervously.

"Ms. Honda was in her brother's club which was mostly boys. She felt uncomfortable there."

Mommy gestured at Tsukune.

"Come closer, young man. I want to have a better feel for the young man my daughter surrendered her body to."

Tsukune gagged at the declaration while both Moka and Kiki blushed. Kurumu sighed, supposing it was not so bad since everyone here knew about her intimate relationship.

"What are you up to?"

Mommy giggled, stepping forward to grab the stricken young man by his shoulders. Mommy draped her arms about his head, tugging him against her bosom. Mommy made a slight mewl, closing her eyes as she let her hand drift up to the back of Tsukune's head, pushing him tighter against her.

"Mother!"

Kurumu could not move as her mind spiraled in all directions. She watched her mother squirm and wiggle against him. Aware how similar she resembled mommy, she worried she had always looked this wanton when holding Tsukune close.

"Oh my."

Mommy released Tsukune, whom gasped and pushed away with haste. Mommy shivered, her eyes slowly opening as she retreated back a step from the flush Tsukune.

"You definitely can bear children for him."

Kurumu snapped out of her hesitation, moving over to grab Tsukune's head and tug his ear against her breast. He staggered a bit, being so much taller than her. She frowned at mommy.

"I already knew that."

Mommy hugged herself, her body still trembling.

"You should have mentioned having that strong of a reaction to him. I haven't felt that much pull to someone since your father."

Kurumu smiled, relaxing her grip. Tsukune straightened up, pulling her to his side for a more comfortable embrace. She sighed, rubbing her cheek against his chest.

"You said it was impossible tell."

"I meant it was difficult to tell if your body would fail to react to someone. Some potential partners don't give off this obvious of a sign."

Kurumu smiled softly, feeling the loss of that sensation. Mommy reacted to him still despite the changes to his body. It was not his changes but the loss of something precious within her.

"I love him."

Mommy giggled, taking in a deep breath and grinning broadly.

"Of course you do. But you'll need to be extra nice to an Undine if you stay with this young man. It's a lot to ask of another young girl."

Tsukune stiffened.

"Well… I feel I should present her to my parents before going that far."

"Then the two of you need to have more distance. I know Kurumu thinks I was with her father for a long time, but we weren't… intimate till after our last cultural festival. It was only about two months before we ran off together."

Kurumu pulled her head off Tsukune, interested in that revelation and suddenly curious about Mizore. She glanced about the room, feeling much relief upon finding the snow girl all the way in the back at station nine. Mizore was so quiet.

"We will take things slow."

"Do any of you girls know some Undines?"

"My Nagisa is a wonderful undine. She's so pretty, smart and athletic."

Mommy smiled at Kokoa.

"Would she be willing to carry a child for my girl?"

"Mother!"

Kokoa stared in shock as Kana started giggling.

"But Nagisa is mine."

"And so is my Kurumu. She'll be very happy if you let her have a baby."

"But Tsukune belongs to me."

Tsukune was so flustered that he might not have heard Moka's meek protest.

"I think we should wait till we are married!"

Kiki nodded animatedly.

"Don't be silly. I was never married to Kentou."

Kurumu whimpered against a flabbergasted Tsukune.

"Mother. Shouldn't we graduate first?"

Mommy sighed.

"I suppose, though I'm terribly bored at home. I would love to take care of my granddaughter while you finish school."

"Um… maybe Kurumu can't have babies with him."

Kurumu smiled at Moka's remark, though Tsukune chuckled giving Kurumu a squeeze.

"I think we've proven she can."

Moka glanced at Kurumu. Biting her lip, she looked away and nodded.

"I know I'm being silly. You should meet his parents before springing a grandchild on them."

Kurumu huffed.

"I fully intended to."

"Looks to me like most of my club is standing around goofing off."

Kurumu grinned at Ginei. He had sauntered over to stand beside Kokoa whom regarded him suspiciously. The werewolf paid the younger sister no attention as he held a hand out to Kurumu's mother.

"I am Morioka Ginei, president of this club."

Mommy nodded with a smile.

"She has mentioned you."

"Then inform your stubborn daughter to cease refusing my advances."

Mommy giggled, shaking her head.

"Unfortunately this young man here has a natural appeal to her. You may as well be requesting for her to not breathe."

"What's so special about him?"

"I honestly don't know. I never understood why Kentou felt so different to me than other young men. There's no rhyme or reason to it. It's destiny."

Ginei chuckled, withdrawing his hand.

"Kana. Have you heard anything about your laptop?"

Kana snickered.

"Like what? Riku confirmed that the manga seniors broke it."

"Do they plan to replace it?"

"I don't know. I guess I should check on that."

"Did you lose your comic for the paper?"

Kana grinned at Kurumu.

"No, I keep a copy of everything on my thumb drive. I'm still good for the paper."

"The two of you need to be working on your articles. I'm not paying you to stand around hugging."

Kurumu snorted as Tsukune stiffened, letting her go.

"You're not paying us at all."

"But the statement remains true."

Kurumu smirked at Ginei as Tsukune drew back a step.

"So what are you doing?"

Ginei thumbed over his shoulder.

"I'm having Tora help write my article. While she has a nice article about the whole incident, I was aiming to add a grander article about the death of antithesis. I already got heartfelt testimonies from that PSC friend of yours and Mr. Sawayaka's daughter. It will be a nice piece about the exploitation of monstrels."

"How do you figure that?"

"Well… this bastard used them. I know it's hard to believe but Mr. Saitou was as much a victim as the rest of the idiots that went along with Yoshii's plans. Little Ms. Sawayaka told me everything her father told her that night before the assembly. Neither of the teachers knew about a plan to kidnap Moka. That must have been something Yoshii manipulated with Midou and Fusamina."

Kurumu sighed, unsure if she cared at this point. She was more worried about the possibility of Yoshii returning than this decade old plot to overthrow the Headmaster. She stepped over to her mother, gesturing at the tanned girl working on the console.

"The girl with the braids is Nazohashi Tora. She keeps this wolf from causing too much trouble."

"Moka refuses to drink blood from her."

"Tora doesn't want me to take her blood."

"Can I have her?"

"Kokoa."

Ginei chuckled, shaking his head.

"Aren't you a cute little bloodsucker."

Kokoa huffed, turning her nose away from him.

"If I had to take a guess, the quiet one in the back must be Shirayuki."

Ginei smirked.

"She is. Showed up about ten minutes before you two arrived. She only called us over once to help her log on the computer and open the article software."

Kurumu frowned.

"I thought that was only installed on some of the computers."

"It's not licensed so Sangi had that Yamabato guy copy it to other computers for me. You still need to log in with a username registered to that console. She's at Tora's station."

Kurumu nodded, aware that they were using Sangi's old profile at the computer at station three. She had no idea whose profile they used at station four, but knew that Yukari's computer was the middle one at station five. Not that Yukari had ever allowed them to use it when not in her presence.

"Did Kamitsuku give you his login information?"

"Tora has it if you can bear with the chill of being next to our ice princess."

Kurumu smiled, turning to Kiki.

"Do they have the software on your computer?"

"I don't think so."

"I can do that."

Ginei grinned at Kana.

"Why don't you guys do that so Tsukune can start on his article? You can also put it on short stuff's computer so Moka can get to work on the Music and Broadcasting Club articles I promised."

Kokoa scowled at him.

"Who are you calling short stuff?"

"Are you sure I can do those articles?"

"Of course. I don't think I could release a paper without any articles from everyone's favorite vampire. Let me know when the kid is done playing around on her computer so you can start being useful."

"I have weeks of assignments to catch up on, dummy."

Kokoa huffed, stalking off. Moka smiled apologetically, following after her sister.

"I see you're getting along well with Kokoa."

"I see a future diva for Kirameku's fan club."

Ginei chuckled as he gestured for them to follow as he walked over to Tora. He snatched up a disc beside her keyboard catching Tora's interest. The sphinx glanced up at him as he handed the disc over to Kana.

"Is everything okay?"

"I told you she wasn't leaving us."

Kurumu smiled, realizing how worried she must have made everyone by showing up with her mother unannounced like this. Kana wagged the CD and started off for the back. Kiki timidly grabbed Tsukune by the sleeve, tugging him along.

"Hey Tora. This is my mother."

Tora smiled warmly, relaxing her hands on the keyboard.

"That was obvious."

"I hear this is the young lady whom really runs this club."

"If Kurumu reported that, it's only because she is clueless to how much Ginei does."

"It's a fair assessment, since you do help things run smoothly. She's secretly in love with me."

Tora smiled at him.

"I did not leave you muffins, Ginei. This may come as a shock, but I don't know where you live."

"We can always fix that."

Tora smirked, turning her attention to them.

"Was there something you desperately need which will save me from this jerk?"

Kurumu chuckled, intrigued about these muffins.

"We only need Kamitsuku's login. I'm assuming he has the software on his computer."

Tora nodded, writing something down a piece of notebook paper. Tearing it off, she handed it over.

"Before you ask, I don't have a clue how to make muffins."

"It's not that hard."

Tora waved her off, returning her attention back to the console. Chuckling, Kurumu started for the back of the class with her mother in tow.

There was only a subtle difference in the temperature as she neared the back of the class. Having come up the aisle between the stations, Kurumu moved over to the seat in the middle without disturbing Mizore. Smiling she sat down next to the girl, reaching under the counter to turn on the machine. While the console flickered to life, Kurumu watched Mizore slowly pick each letter on the keyboard one character at a time with meticulous care.

"Hey Mizore."

Mizore made a slight sound, swinging the stick in her mouth to the other side. She was unsurprisingly dressed in the same garb as always. The girl regarded a notebook next to the keyboard, copying the contents onto the screen.

"Where have you been?"

"My room."

"What have you been doing?"

"Writing."

Kurumu chuckled, shaking her head.

"You were supposed to come to school yesterday."

Mizore shrugged, tapping slowly away at the keys.

"She really is Tsurara's girl."

Mizore paused, glancing over her shoulder at Kurumu's mother. Her sapphire eyes turned on Kurumu.

"Visiting?"

"Yea. This is my mother, Ageha."

Mommy smiled at the girl.

"I imagine Tsurara never mentioned me."

"Mizore's mother didn't tell her about Kentou."

"Oh, I see."

Mizore nodded, turning her attention back to the notebook. She resumed her slow progress.

"You know, I would like to apologize properly to her someday."

Kurumu chuckled, noting the screen was still not fully loaded up.

"Why didn't you apologize when you returned Kentou?"

Mommy smiled.

"Yukimura is not an easy place to go without an invitation. The guardians intercepted me and sent for his parents. They were willing to take him back and told me a little about Tsurara, but would not let me see her. I tried writing to her, but they returned my letters unopened."

"That's so wrong."

Mommy shrugged. She reached over to brush her fingers through Mizore's coarse hair, causing the girl to tense up and the temperature to dip.

"Easy, little one. You would know if I wanted to hurt you."

Mizore's shoulders relaxed.

"I need to write."

"Could you tell your mother I'm so sorry and miss her so much?"

Mizore ignored the gentle motions in her hair as she continued her remarkably slow typing.

"If I go home."

"You'll go home for summer break."

"I will stay with Tsukune."

"Oh my. Kurumu did not mention you were also interested in him."

"Yes. We already sleep together."

Kurumu laughed, her computer finally ready for the profile login. Shaking her head, she punched in Kamitsuku's password. Clicking the mouse on okay, the computer resumed loading up.

"Mizore was offering to carry our child."

"That's precious. But she can't. Her body temperature is too low."

"Why would you know that?"

"When Ms. Hajinai first explained things, I immediately thought of Tsurara."

Kurumu snorted, shaking her head.

"Maybe she realized putting a baby in a woman whose husband you stole was a bad idea."

Mommy giggled.

"I didn't tell her that. I just told her she was a close friend."

Kurumu sighed, thinking her mother was a complete idiot. She opened up the software and regarded the blank page with a deep breath. She frowned. She was also an idiot.

"I left my notes in the suite."

Kurumu waddled out of her closet with her bedding in her arms. She had convinced her mistress to give her another night, since mommy would be leaving at three tomorrow. She was expected to make a spectacular dinner tomorrow night for Kokoa's patience.

It had been a long day. It had been around five thirty when she had finished her article, with only Tora and Ginei keeping her company by that point. She had begged Ginei to print her out an extra sample paper for mommy, not caring about the approval of the student council. With that extra activity, it had been after six when they headed out to Mononoke for dinner and shopping.

As Kurumu smoothed out the bedding, sheets and pillows, she smiled at the thoughts of their first stop. Since the hospital was on the way in, she had stopped by to introduce mommy to Nerume. They had caught Satsuki and Kakeru whom had been about to leave and ended up talking over dinner at the hospital. It had almost been eight when they finally departed, hoping to squeeze in some shopping at the stores before they closed.

Mommy had spent nearly every yen she had brought on this trip. The rice cooker alone had been seven thousand yen, because mommy said the cheapest ones were more likely to break. The muffin and cake pans had been another three thousand and the toaster had been two thousand five hundred. The mixing bowls and cookie sheets had brought the shopping spree up to a grand total of sixteen thousand yen. When they had arrived back at the suite and started putting things away, mommy had bemoaned her forgetfulness, realizing they should have picked up a cooking mitt and pads. Kurumu figured she could manage with the rags Mrs. Meirowasa had left her, along with that cutting board and knife.

Kurumu grinned as mommy came out of the bathroom dressed in a lavender nightie with spaghetti straps. It was not like the silly woman had any money left. She had blown her remaining yen on a pink halter top, a pair of white jeans and two lacy panties in black and red for Kurumu. They had actually gone for a bra over the panties, but unsurprisingly none had been in Kurumu's size. The clerk had offered to put in an order, but Mommy was not the type to pay for things she did not walk out of the store with.

"You need prettier toiletries. You would not think a woman lives here."

Mommy padded over, the thin fabric shifting about her thighs. Having not stopped in Moka's suite to retrieve her new lingerie, Kurumu had decided to sleep in her green tank top. As she slipped beneath the sheets, she thought about how her mother had spent over twenty five thousand the past two days.

"I think you bought enough stuff."

Mommy giggled as she crawled in the sheets behind Kurumu. Kurumu sighed and relaxed, allowing mommy to pull her back against her. It felt so warm.

"You haven't let me spoil you in years."

"That's because you have to sleep with men to get money."

Mommy giggled, squeezing her tight. Kurumu could feel mommy's heartbeat.

"I have to give them something of value, honey."

Kurumu sighed, knowing for mommy to have this much money meant she had given it all away.

"I wish you thought sex was something special."

Mommy breathed softly across Kurumu's ear, placing a gentle kiss on the side of her head.

"It is when he wants it to be. You learn quickly whom it matters to and whom it doesn't."

Kurumu pouted, feeling mommy should not let a man dictate if something was important.

"I can tell your Tsukune values it. I haven't heard a man talk of his parents and marriage in years."

"Have you ever thought of marrying another man?"

Mommy giggled, pressing in close.

"Not really, though your Tsukune has me thinking of babies. It's a pity he isn't spending the night."

Kurumu grimaced, starting to pull away but mommy held her tighter.

"That isn't funny."

"I know, honey. But he was thinking so much about doing naughty things to me that this poor woman was worried she would wet through her jeans. I can understand why you would transfer homerooms as his attention would be impossible to endure on a daily basis."

Kurumu sighed, all mixed up over that. It was nice mommy understood how hard it had been, but it was annoying to believe Tsukune wanted sex with mommy.

"He's a young man. I'm sure Ginei was thinking about you too."

Mommy made a slight sound of affirmation, relaxing against Kurumu.

"He was also delicious, but your Tsukune could give me another little girl. You've been so wonderful for me that I would love to have another."

"That's just wrong."

"When you have your little girl, you'll understand."

Kurumu sighed, wondering why mommy was so weird. She fussed over stealing money from men, but had stolen a husband. She loved being a mother so much that she was toying with thoughts of having sex with her daughter's boyfriend. Kurumu nestled her cheek upon mommy's arm.

"You should have remarried. It would have been nice to have a little sister."

"I'm sorry. I was too scared."

"But why?"

Mommy sighed.

"It was hard to let your father go. As wonderful as babies are, they don't show much love back. I cried myself to sleep so many nights before I finally could let my love for him go."

Kurumu recalled what the Headmaster had told her about the heart of a succubus. It was not enough to love someone. You also had to strongly believe in being loved. That would have been hard on mommy.

"I'm so sorry. I've been so horrible to you."

"Nonsense. You are the most precious person in my world. If I wasn't such a coward, I would have tried harder to find someone to share this world with us."

"I understand. You had to protect your heart."

"That was what I kept telling myself. That I couldn't risk heartbreak. That you needed me to be strong."

Kurumu felt an immense sadness well up inside her.

"I ruined your life."

"No, my love. You kept me alive. A silly woman like me would have thrown her life away, chasing love. I had everything I needed in you."

"But what happens now? Once I get married, you won't have anyone."

Mommy giggled, squeezing her.

"You silly girl. I will always have you. I just will have to share you with that yummy Tsukune of yours."

Kurumu choked out a laugh, shaking her head.

"I don't know. They might not let me marry him."

"You can't give up on him, honey. I know he'll give you a daughter."

"I guess."

"I will take Mrs. Shuzen's offer if that's what it will take for her to let you have him."

Kurumu frowned, glancing over her shoulder.

"Mommy."

Mommy smiled at her.

"I'm serious, my love. Just think about it. He's becoming a vampire, and they can adapt to anything. He'll be the perfect husband for you. You can have everything I dreamed of having."

It was too much. Kurumu started to cry, wishing she could do what her mother hoped.

"Don't worry, my baby. I'm sure those girls love you and will convince their mother even if I can't. I know you'll have your happy ending."

Kurumu shook her head.

"I can't."

"Don't. It's okay if you don't have that college career we talked about. I'm sure there's some good about Mrs. Shuzen. Look at how much freedom she's given me, and I've given her nothing in return."

Kurumu sobbed at the optimism, doubting anyone would give Tsukune to her.

"I can't have a baby."

Mommy chuckled.

"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to push you to have one right away."

"No. I can't have a baby. It's gone."

"Gone? What do you mean?"

Kurumu allowed her fit of sobs to pass so she could get out her words clearly. Her body still trembled but her breathing calmed.

"When I was hospitalized for a day, I was hurt real bad. That part of me that makes babies is gone."

There was a long pause in which all she could hear was mommy's breathing. Mommy hugged her tight, pressing warmly against her.

"It will be okay, my love. Mommy will fix it."

Kurumu sobbed, shaking her head.

"You can't."

"I will. I'll call Mrs. Shuzen and we will work something out. I promise."

Mommy turned Kurumu over, bending down to kiss her forehead and cheeks. She smiled so softly that it calmed Kurumu's heart.

"You have to believe."

Kurumu swallowed, peering up at the woman whom had always cared for her.

"Is it okay if I stay your little girl?"

Mommy smiled.

"You never had that choice."