Author's Notes: Greetings, all! I apologize that it has taken so long to get this written. To quote an old commercial, life does come at you fast. Thank you all for your patience, and for all the reviews, favorites, and follows!

Disclaimer: As per the usual, I do not own, or have any affiliation with the Rosario + Vampire characters portrayed in this fanfic. I only lay claim to my original characters that I have brought in from my own writings. Ya'll know which ones. ;)

Rosario + Vampire: Concerto of Shadows

Chapter 44-Every Choice, A Consequence.

Roof above Director's Office. Yokai Academy. 8 days since victory.

Diademonica gave Tsukune and Moka a small grin as she crossed her arms. "Well, if you are finally ready my lad and lass, we can go ahead and get things-"

The door that led down into the school burst forward. It rattled the door with enough force that it nearly knocked it off its squeaky hinges. Everyone upon the rooftop whirled around toward the sudden noise. They were befuddled that they saw it was Shizuka Nekonome, whom was doubled over and panted heavily in the doorway. Dia, Tsukune, and Moka all took a cautious step toward the cat woman. "Shizuka? What in the name of hell is going-"Dia started.

Ms. Nekonome waved her hands back and forth excitedly while she gathered air into her lungs as quickly as she possibly could. "Tsukune! You…must get down to the clinic! Kurumu…" she exhaled and inhaled again loudly. "Kurumu is quite ill! Please, Mr. Aono! Lady Shannara needs you and Moka as quickly…as possible!"

Shocked, Moka and Tsukune stood and stared at the cat woman for a long moment until they both were lightly shoved forward from behind. "Come on you two, move it! If Lady Shannara needs you immediately, you don't want to keep her waiting!" Lady Haruna stated loudly while she shoved the lovers gently forward from behind them again. She gave a quick glance toward Dia, whom nodded once at her fellow Enforcer in understanding.

The Cambion grabbed a hand each from both Moka and Tsukune and tugged them roughly toward her. "Alright, you two! Let's haul a little ass, here! Shannara doesn't make requests lightly, you know! Better find out what the old bat needs you both for, pronto!"

Numbly, Moka and Tsukune allowed themselves to be yanked forward by the Cambion, and picked up their feet as they followed her into the building. Without anything further said, the rest of the gathered group on the rooftop followed them back into the building with all haste. An ill-omen hung in the air as they rapidly made their way down the stairs.

XXX

Lady Shannara's Clinic.

Shannara sat quietly upon Kurumu's bed next to her. The young succubus was all too pale for the elder witch's comfort. Kurumu lightly moaned in her uneasy sleep, her eyes danced rapidly back and forth under her thin lids. Beads of sweat gathered upon her forehead, which Shannara gently wiped away with a damp washcloth she kept in her hands. Occasionally, the elder witch had to dab at her eyes with the back of her hand. She felt a heaviness within her chest at the thought that this young woman could indeed perish under her care. She hadn't lost any patients in centuries, and she would be damned if it started now.

Tsukiumi silently stood next to the bed, her tired eyes upon the sickly succubus. When Shannara gestured toward her, the blonde gingerly reached forward and took the washcloth from the elder witch. After Shannara handed it silently to her, she then dunked it mechanically into the pail of lukewarm water that she kept at her feet. Tsukiumi took great care and wrung out the excess water from the cloth, and carefully handed it back to the elder witch.

The blonde history teacher kept her vigil over Kurumu with Shannara out of a sense of comradery. After all, Kurumu had proved to the water goddess that she was quite a capable fighter. She smirked lightly. Of course, the fact that the young succubus was so smitten with young Aono was precious in itself to her. Even though Tsukune had chosen Moka as his mate, that didn't mean that it all ended for the young succubus. There was an easy way around it, but it hadn't been invoked in centuries, and it was quite possible that Tsukune and Moka wouldn't allow it…

Yukari sat upon one of the empty beds, and stared dazed at her ill friend. What was it that they could do to help her? The elder witch said that Tsukune and Moka would have to give up something to fix things, but she didn't tell her what it could be. She balled her hands into fists. There were times that she hated being so young, since they tended to treat her like a little kid! She wasn't some little kid off the street! Yukari was a powerful witch, and she could help them, she knew that she could!

Lady Shannara and Tsukiumi glanced up at the doorway, and they both smiled sadly at the gathered group of people. The elder witch beckoned them in with her empty hand. "Please, come forth. This is quite the serious predicament that we find ourselves in."

Tsukune and Moka were the first to enter the room, quickly followed behind them by both Diademonica and Haruna. Those that made up the Night Raven Council filed in one at a time, and stood against the wall. This was the best way they could be out of the way, and let them have their time. Both Lady Sakura and Lord Rylan shared a quick glance with Lord Canis. He nodded once, and turned toward the rest. "We should give them some privacy, my friends." He whispered quietly. "Let's head over to the cafeteria, Lady Shannara knows that she can send for us if anything changes."

Lady Sidhe looked ready to argue with the elder vampire, but chewed her lip and sighed quietly. She relented and nodded as she headed back out into the hallway. As she passed Shizuka, her hand came up and lightly grasped Shizuka's. The banshee gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Come on, Shizuka. We best let them be for a while. They will have to make some major decisions, and soon." She said in that soft musical voice of hers. She gave the cat woman a small smile. "Let me take you to the Cafeteria, Shizuka, and we can get something to eat."

Shizuka Nekonome looked about ready to cry, but she silently nodded her head. She followed the banshee as she guided her away and toward the cafeteria. Lord Canis and Lady Sakura started to follow, and turned when they didn't hear Lord Rylan's footsteps behind them. "Go on." He said quietly. "I will catch up with you later." They nodded lightly and followed Ms. Nekonome's group toward the cafeteria, though Sakura eyebrows pinched with worry and a little anxiety.

Lord Stone whispered something to Lord Rylan, and he noticed that Yukari sat unheeded upon an unoccupied bed. He smiled lightly, and whispered something back to the gargoyle. He rumbled an agreement, and headed over to Yukari. "Come, Ms. Sendo, let me take you back to your dorm."

Yukari shook her head. "No! I want to see how they will get Kurumu well!"

Lord Stone rolled his eyes and rumbled and reached down and hauled Yukari up onto his shoulder. "Come, little one, it is time to go!"

"No, I don't want to go!" Yukari practically howled out the door. The Gargoyle Lord grumbled lightly as he headed out into the hallway with Yukari perched unhappily upon his broad shoulder.

Lord Rylan sighed quietly as he silently closed the door to the clinic. He closed his eyes for a moment, then walked over toward Tsukiumi. He gently took the crook of her arm, and she raised an eyebrow inquisitively toward him. The Raven Lord's eyes went down toward the bucket, and then back up to Tsukiumi. Obediently, she picked the pail up, and he gestured her toward Shannara's office. The blonde looked as if she wanted to protest, but chewed her lip and relented. She headed toward Lady Shannara's office, and lugged the bucket with her.

Tsukune gasped loudly when he looked down at Kurumu. This was the worst shape he had ever seen her in. She was so pale! The succubus looked to the young vampire like how a human drained completely of blood would have appeared! Even from here, he still heard her strong heart faintly beating within her chest. However, it was slow, labored beats he heard. It was if it lost the will to continue on. He couldn't believe it, but she appeared to be dying slowly right in front of him!

His eyebrows beetled together while he frowned in thought. Kurumu seemed just fine a few days ago! Especially when they were laughing and joking about Lady Sakura's age. What could have happened to her to have cause this? "What is wrong with her, Shannara? How did she get so sick without anyone knowing about it?"

The elder witch gave Tsukune and Moka a sad smile. They could see her eyes were red and a bit puffy, as she had apparently cried very recently. "What you see here before you, young Tsukune and Moka, is the result of an important decision made by the two of you."

Moka's eyes went from Kurumu's unconscious form to Shannara's face. She chewed her lip. "What do you mean, Shannara?"

Shannara shook her head gently, the melancholy smile not leaving her lips. "It was a mutual decision made by two lovers in a time of trials and crisis. Two hearts that yearned to become one, and did."

Sparks of understanding danced within Tsukune's eyes, while his mouth fell open in shock. "You mean when Moka and I became bonded? That is the decision that did this to her?"

The elder witch nodded gravely. "Kurumu figured that you had chosen your mate, Tsukune. As you know, a Succubus normally selects a mate as their 'One and Only' chosen. If the Succubus is somehow rejected by her choice in a mate…"

Tsukune paled. His hand traveled up and covered his mouth in horror. Because of his love for Moka, he was killing one of his best friends? His legs turned wobbly, and if not for Moka suddenly grasping hold of him, he very well could have tumbled to the floor. He numbly saw that Moka spoke to him, but he didn't hear a word. He felt completely disconnected from himself.

"I think Tsukune is about to faint, Moka. Let's get him over onto the empty bed over here." Lord Rylan pointed as he gently nudged Moka forward. She nodded. Lord Rylan assisted Moka with Tsukune's nearly dead weight, and gently laid him down onto the next bed, to which he quickly passed completely out.

XXX

Moka gazed down first at her passed out Tsukune, and then the equally unconscious Kurumu. All her life, her mother and father had taught her that in life for every choice, there was a consequence. It didn't matter if it was good or bad choice, as it still led to a result. There were times she wanted to rip Kurumu's wings and tail off, but she had become a close friend of Tsukune's, and much to her own chagrin, her as well. Would this decision of Tsukune's and hers really damn their friend to her death? She had a hard time grasping that consequence.

Haruna stood next to Lord Rylan, as silent tears of frustration ran unheeded down her cheeks. She was rather fond of the brash and opinionated succubus. She had proved a valued ally at first, and then as an even more valued friend. Hell, they had asked her to replace Luna as an Enforcer for the Council for Vlad's sake! This was one battle that she just didn't know how to fight! Her friend was dying, and she couldn't do a damn thing about it!

Lord Rylan watched as Diademonica relieved Shannara on the succubus' bed. He noticed that she took the news of Kurumu's condition almost as poorly as Tsukune had. He never pried much into her history during her time on the Council with them, but he already knew that she was all-too familiar with loss of friends and loved ones. How could she not if she had lived over a millennium? Even now, as she gently and almost tenderly wiped Kurumu's face, he saw the etchings of great pain within her eyes, and the way her mouth was set as if chiseled from stone.

A war raged within the Cambion's heart. This was the exact reason she hated to get close to anyone! They always left her alone, in the end. Friends, even family never seemed to live to see old age. Kurumu reminded Dia so much of her younger sister, especially in her youth, that she couldn't help but bond with the saucy succubus. After everything that had happened over the last several months, after all the shit she had endured, she was going to die because someone decided that they wanted to bang someone else? That was fucking absurd! There had to be something that she could do to heal her friend, there had to-

Kurumu moaned gently, and her eyes slowly opened. She blinked a few times, and weakly turned her head toward Dia. "Hey." She whispered quietly.

Dia gave Kurumu a brittle smile. "Hey, yourself." She gently cooed while she gently wiped Kurumu's face again. She forced her smile bigger. "So, when are you going to stop acting the invalid and join us for flight training for Tsukune and Moka? I could always use a more experienced flier for an assistant!"

Kurumu gave the Cambion a ghost of a smile. "How does tomorrow sound? I don't quite feel too good to try it today."

Dia's lower lip quivered slightly, and she immediately bit down upon it so that she could stop it. A bead of silver welled up from where she bit her lip. "Yeah, that…would probably be best, kiddo. Can't have my assistant falling asleep on me, now can I?"

Kurumu was stunned to see the Cambion's grumpy, bitchy façade crack and fall apart before her. Those violet eyes were pooled with unshed tears, something that the young succubus ever thought she would see in her lifetime. Their stern, stone-faced guardian that laughed at the many faces bourn by hell itself barely looked at her without trying to cry now? What had happened to her? Why had she felt so sick?

"It is a relief to see you awake again, Kurumu." Lady Shannara stated quietly as she hovered over the pair of women. A small smile touched her lips. "How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

Diademonica went to get off the bed, but stopped short when she felt a cold, clammy hand grab hers. The Cambion gazed down at Kurumu's hand, and then back at Kurumu. She gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and a small smile before she got up and headed toward the door. She hesitated at the doorway for just a moment before she opened the door. She gave Kurumu another small smile, and gave Moka a hard look before she shut the door behind her.

Haruna worriedly glanced toward the closed door. She knew the Cambion well enough to know that she was moments away from completely losing control. She chewed her lip and glanced up at Lord Rylan. "Go." He whispered to her quietly. "She had that look of death upon her face. Please keep her from killing or injuring any innocent people, please?" He exhaled quietly. "The rest of the Council will be in cafeteria. If you need help, and you just might, please bring them with you." She nodded at her father, and she left the clinic quickly.

Lord Rylan chewed his lip in though. Kurumu glanced up at him quizzically, and both Moka and Lady Shannara gazed at him as well. He rubbed his face with his hand roughly and inhaled. He came over to the foot of Kurumu's bed, and placed his hands behind his back. His eyes briefly touched Kurumu's, Shannara's, and finally Moka's before he sighed again. "I think it is time to stop dancing around what is going on before us, and get right to the heart of the matter." He glanced over at the unconscious Tsukune. "My dear Shannara? I need to have you please wake Tsukune. It is time I finally lay all the cards down upon the table, and see how this final hand is played."

XXX

Cafeteria. Yokai Academy.

Shizuka picked lightly at the plate of chicken curry that lay on the tabletop before her. Her companions had insisted upon her getting some food, but she found that her appetite wasn't what it should have been. What had started out to her as a normal morning, and suddenly veered off course and into a tree. One of her students was gravely sick, apparently dying, and all she could do was sit her and pick at a plate of curry. Her tail worked its way out, and swayed back and forth gently behind her.

"Shizuka?" a soft, musical voice inquired gently beside her.

Ms. Nekonome turned toward the banshee that sat off to her right. A pale hand placed itself upon the cat woman's arm. "There isn't anything that you can do for the poor child right now. She is in the best, capable healing hands here at Yokai. You must have faith that everything will work out."

Shizuka sighed quietly and placed her chopsticks down on her plate. "I know. I have watched so much happen here at Yokai ever since Mr. Aono arrived. I never could have imagined that saving Tsukune's father all those years ago would have led to what we have here now."

Lord Canis coughed lightly. "It is like a pebble flung into a pond, Shizuka. Doesn't seem like very much, and seems rather insignificant. Once it hits though, you can just watch the length and number of ripples generated." He gave her a toothy grin. "So many choices appear small to those whom make them, but there are times that they shake the foundations of the very world around us."

Lady Sakura was about to interject, when she caught quick movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned slightly, and her eyes widened with both surprise and great concern.

Diademonica quickly stalked past the front of the cafeteria, and Lady Sakura noticed the aura of black flames that danced around the Cambion. Even from there distance from each other, she saw that Dia's eyes had shifted from the usual violet, to the dangerous silver. She snapped her finger a couple of times toward Lady Sidhe, and Lord Canis also followed her finger. All of them gulped loudly as Dia stalked quickly out of sight. Lord Canis gave Sakura a questioning glance, just as they caught sight of Haruna.

Haruna had almost caught up with her friend, but she still outpaced her quickest walk. She sensed just how dangerous this could be, and she didn't want to try to stop the Cambion on her own. There weren't enough assurances from any deities that still walked the earth that would have persuaded her to attempt to stop the Cambion in her current state of mind. Much to her immense relief, as she quickly passed the cafeteria, she saw her mother and most of the council was there. She smiled as she quickly changed course from following Dia, to quickly heading toward their table.

"Uh oh, we got trouble." Lord Canis quietly growled.

"Yeah, no shit, Canis." Lady Sakura said as she chewed her lip.

Ms. Nekonome's eyebrow rose as Haruna approached their table. "Ms. Asaka? What can we do for you?"

Haruna shook her head. "Dia's quite upset. She's become close to Kurumu, and she feels powerless to help." Her eyes flashed briefly when she looked at her mother. "You have a good idea what is about to happen next."

"Yup!" Both Lord Canis and Lady Sakura exhaled loudly as they stood up. "Someone is about to find out that they aren't paying enough for their property insurance." Lady Sidhe exclaimed as she shook her head. "Perhaps this time she will relegate it to maybe, oh, two square miles this time?"

XXX

Forrest outside of Yokai Academy.

Diademonica had already transformed into her most powerful form. Her liquid silver eyes took in the depths of the forest, and growled lightly at the pair of deer that approached to investigate the intruder. Their white tails flicked up, and they immediately hauled ass away from her. Satisfied that nothing else living bigger than a rodent was around, she cracked her knuckles and took flight. Her eyes flashed as she zeroed in on her target, and she prepared to unleash the fury that she no longer wished to contain.

XXX

Lady Sidhe, Lord Canis, and Lady Sakura stopped Shizuka and Haruna just outside the entrance to the forest. It was all too quiet, and not a single sound was heard. No chirping of crickets, no buzz of cicadas, not even the call of a stray crow. Lord Canis' bushy eyebrow arched as his eyes scanned the boundaries of the forest before them. "Perhaps we were incorrect after all? Maybe she didn't need to blow off steam?"

Instantly, the ground beneath their feet trembled and rocked from a tremendous force. Above their heads, a humongous fireball climbed upward and over the eastern end of the forest. They covered their faces as the small shockwave flattened part of the forest, and sent pieces of wood and other shrapnel whirling around them. After a moment, they ceased shielding their faces and Lady Sidhe sighed dramatically. "Well, we were curious which way she headed." She gestured nonchalantly toward the eastern edge of the forest as it blazed brightly, the crackle of flames loud in their ears. "I would say that is her most likely location, would you not agree?"

XXX

Shannara's Clinic. Yokai Academy.

Tsukune woke with a start. He groggily pushed away the hand that held something under his nose. He opened his eyes, which teared greatly from the fumes of whatever it was that Lady Shannara held under his more sensitive nostrils. Tsukune felt the healer's other hand now on his back, and gently pulled him forward. He blinked lightly to clear the tears, and gazed around the bed he found himself on.

He immediately knew he was still in the clinic, and swung his legs around and off the bed as Shannara moved back. Tsukune placed his feet on the floor, and noticed that everyone looked intently at him. He blinked as he realized that Kurumu now gazed at him as well. Her gaze was mostly curiosity, but he saw something else buried beneath the inquisitive look. It was something that he knew had been there all along, but it took him a while to realize the full intensity of its meaning.

Love still appeared within those eyes. It was a gentle love that she had for Tsukune almost since the very beginning. He blushed lightly as both embarrassment and shame intermingled themselves into his thoughts. It wasn't just a friendship love that she held there, but a romantic, deep love that made his heart ache now in pain. He loved Moka with all his heart, but perhaps deep down he had loved Kurumu as well. Why had he never really noticed that before? Had he been so intent upon the pursuit of Moka, that he had disregarded her without thought? She was suffering for him, and guilt began to gnaw at his conscious.
"Tsukune?" Lord Rylan called quietly, just as Lady Shannara came over and stood next to him. "We have something very important that we need to discuss, and it will alter both your future, and well as Moka and Kurumu."

Tsukune nodded his head as Moka came and sat upon the bed next to him. He fidgeted with the Rosario on his wrist. "I…I apologize for not keeping my head." He lightly scratched the back of his head. "I am a Raven Lord, and I acted like a child."

Lord Rylan and Lady Shannara both gave him a small smile. "Tsukune, it isn't every day that you find a simple decision made can cause tremendous repercussions." Lady Shannara took one of Lord Rylan's hands, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It is about that decision, that I felt it was time to tell you exactly what it means to be a Raven Lord, and what is expected to be a Master Vampire."

Moka and Tsukune gave Lord Rylan their undivided attention, and while she seemed a little less interested, Kurumu paid close attention as well. "You know I will listen to whatever you tell me, Lord Rylan."

The Raven Lord nodded. "When our Dark Father, Lord Cain sired you, Tsukune, he initiated you fully into another part of the world. The darker, more dangerous monster world." He paused for a moment, while he quickly organized his thoughts. "As you know, we vampires are some of the most powerful creatures that still tread upon the earth. Our dark power and virtual immortality is why we were worshipped so reverently in the human world in places like Egypt, Samaria, etc."

"Vampires are quite powerful just by themselves, as you proved before you were even bonded to Moka. A Vampire's power is not singular, Tsukune, nor is it limited only to the individual. There are ways to build and strengthen that power, beyond what can be achieved alone."

Tsukune nervously scratched the back of his head, and gave Lord Asaka a small smile. "I, kind of noticed that after I bonded with Moka." He reached out and gave her hand a small squeeze. "I can hear her in my head, and she can hear me." He blushed slightly. "It felt like I was helping Moka during her battle with Lady Burnhart, like I gave her a push and strengthened her abilities."

Lord Rylan nodded and chuckled lightly. "That is because you did, Tsukune. Moka was not powerful enough on her just yet to have performed a lot of her moves that you told me about later." He gave them a half grin. "It seems that your education has definitely been more here than just the usual 'reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic that you thought you would have, eh?"

Tsukune blushed brighter. "Yes, definitely."

Lord Rylan chuckled again and shook his head. "Anyways, Tsukune, that is not where it ends. You build more power, with having a bigger family. There is a bond there that adds to the power of those in the family. The bigger the family, the bigger their overall power will be."

Tsukune chewed his lip. "I definitely understand what you are saying, Lord Rylan, but what does this have to do with Moka, myself, and Kurumu?"

Lord Rylan shocked Tsukune, Moka, and Kurumu by turning and lightly kissing Lady Shannara upon the lips. They saw a brief surge in their aura of power before it was gone. He turned back to the stunned students. "In Vampire society, Tsukune, it is often tradition for the Vampire Lords to have more than one bonded mate. It is not too often these days to see it, but the more traditional Vampire Lords still do. Tradition also dictated to not have the vampiric bloodlines be of a singular nature, but a combination of different powers and abilities from different bloodlines."

Tsukune's jaw hung open in stunned disbelief, and Moka starred at Lord Rylan and Lady Shannara without blinking. Tsukune tried and failed several times to get his mouth to work, but no sound would come out. Moka seemed to recover first. "So, it is actually recommended that Tsukune bond with another other than me?"

The Raven Lord lightly nodded. "I won't tell you that you have to do it, Tsukune, Moka. Tradition doesn't mean a damn if you don't desire to do it. It is very difficult to try to have more than one bonded mate, at times for obvious reasons."

Tsukune pointed at Lady Shannara. "So, that means that Lady Shannara…?"

"Yes, Tsukune. Lord Rylan and are indeed bonded. Actually, believe it or not, we were actually bonded first before he was bonded with Lady Sakura."

The floor beneath them rumbled and heaved, and a flash from the windows caught their eyes. They turned and gazed out toward the forest, just as a huge fireball blazed upward and lit up the surrounding sky with additional heat. Lord Rylan sighed loudly and dropped his head. Lady Shannara gave the Vampire Lord an understanding look while she lightly rubbed his back. The Raven Lord rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Would it ever be possible, in the beloved name of Lord Cain, for me to ever get through a complete conversation without that woman having a tantrum and flattening everything in sight?"

Lady Shannara chewed her lip in thought. "I don't have an answer for you, love. You know what she is like, though."

"That, is exactly what I didn't want to hear." Lord Asaka grumbled lightly.

XXX

Yokai Forest Edge.

Lady Haruna grumbled darkly as she leads the others into the wrecked and burning forest. She hated it when they made decisions by drawing straws, since tradition seemed to dictate she get the small one. Lo and behold, she drew the damn short one again, and here she was. Leading the pack, just because the others lacked the stones to take the lead. Honestly, it wasn't as if the whole world was about to blow up at the Cambion's fingertips or something…would it?

"How is it I ALWAYS get the short straw in the pile? That shouldn't be possible for me to draw it EVERY time, no is it? So, what's the answer?"

Lady Sidhe gave her friend a beatific, innocent smile. "We cheat, my dear." She said in an almost too-casual way.

"Of course you do." Haruna grumbled darkly as they went further into the forest. She saw that much of the local flora and fauna had been completely destroyed. It was a good thing that Dia had gone this way, as she didn't think her mother would have appreciated her greenhouse classroom being destroyed in the Cambion's fury. If Dia thought she was scary when pissed, she hadn't seen anything like when her mother was…

"Aye, there is the lass up ahead." Lord Canis growled lightly while he pointed into the sky above them. "Do you think she may have finally calmed down some?"

As if to answer the Wolf Lord's question, the Cambion hurled another massive fireball further beyond where they could see. The ground shook violently as another massive explosion shredded more of the forest into a cloud of soot and ash. The wind from the shockwave blew over them, and sent them to the forest floor. After a few moments of hacking and coughing, the group stood and brushed some of the ash and pieces of wood off themselves.

Lady Sidhe cocked her head as she gazed skyward. "I believe your answer, Lord Canis, would be No."

XXX

Lady Shannara's Clinic.

The floor shook again beneath them, and Lord Rylan sighed yet again. "I have this feeling that we are going to hear from the Director about this very soon." He rubbed his temples. "Could I get you to please grab one of those wonderful pain potions you create, my Dearest? I don't think Aspirin alone is going to do this one justice…"

The elder witch nodded, and left to join Tsukiumi in her office. Lord Rylan watched her go and gently shook his head. "This is already hard enough without her losing her mind out there. I mean, I understand she is upset, but she should have at least listened to everything before jumping to conclusions…"

Kurumu gave a weak laugh. "It wouldn't be the Dia we know now, would it?"

The Raven Lord rubbed his face as he grumbled darkly. "Anyways. As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted, Tsukune, the answer to Kurumu's condition is placed before you. Moka, Kurumu, and you will have to make a decision that will possibly shake the foundations of the world. I can't make or force you to do this, and I wouldn't have tried to even though it is in your best interests to do so."

He gestured toward them. "It is obvious that you implicitly trust each other, or you never would have made it this far. It is a gift when you find both true love and power in the same package. Even if you go through with this, from personal experience I wouldn't recommend more than two bonded mates. Any more than that…well, you can imagine…it often runs risks that make facing one of those Sentinels a joy by comparison."

Lord Rylan bowed lightly toward them, and then left them there as he joined Shannara and Tsukiumi in the clinic office. Quietly, he shut the door behind him, though Tsukune and them could hear that they were still conversing within the office. He shook his head as he gazed first at Moka, and then at Kurumu. He scratched the back of his head unsure as to what to say to both of the women before him. Everything Lord Rylan told them made sense, but he still wasn't sure if this was something he was really comfortable with.

"Tsukune?" Kurumu said weakly.

Tsukune gazed at Kurumu, her eyes still full of love, but they also contained resignation within them. "I know that I have loved you almost from the beginning. Perhaps some of it may have been because I wanted to compete with everyone to win your heart. Maybe some of it was because you were considered off limits. I will still love you even if you say no to this."

Tsukune's inner turmoil wasn't contained any longer, and his eyebrows beetled in thought. He chewed his lip as he stood and walked over to the foot of Kurumu's bed. He wanted to be able to gaze at both of them, so that he could gauge the reactions. Tsukune scratched the back of his head again, still not quite sure how he wanted to start this particular conversation…

"Tsukune?" Moka said as she crossed her arms under her ample breasts. "Spit it out, whatever it is that you are contemplating." It almost seemed she was mad, but Tsukune knew from their connection that she was just as internally conflicted as he was. He knew that she wouldn't be happy with the idea of sharing him, since it meant he wasn't her one and only. However, she knew growing up that her father had another bonded mate, even though it was kept very quiet. They probably did it so as to keep her from getting confused.

Tsukune looked at them both and just chewed his lip. "Honestly, I don't know what to say, Moka. I felt like I went to end of the earth to rescue you when Burnhart took you away." He looked down. "Losing you, however brief it was, was more painful than I ever experienced before." He gazed now at Kurumu. "The idea of losing Kurumu, would be just as painful to me. She has always been at our side, Moka. Yes, I know that you two fought over me a lot, but it never seemed to get out of control. She has always helped us, and I know that I trust her with my life." He gazed back at Moka. "I know that you do, too."

Moka lightly bore her fangs as she growled lightly. "There are some times, my dear Tsukune, that I wish I wasn't such an open book to you."

Tsukune blushed and turned away. "I know, Moka. I also know that you are like me, and you don't make friends easy. When you do though, you want to protect and cherish them more than ever and keep them close." He gave both Moka and Kurumu a small smile. "If we do this, then we will be closer than ever before."