Disclaimer: Sadly, neither my friend nor I own Vampire Knight. Anything affiliated with it belongs to Matsuri Hino. Reiko Souma, Shourim Manti, and any of their relatives and property belong to me.

Rated T for mild violence and some swearing; this will change to M with a strong content advisory for mature audiences in the future.

"I want to know who…or what…I really am. Is that so much of me to ask without wanting to depend on anybody for help?"

Was it?

Yagarī looked around uncomfortably as his student started crying. He wasn't good at this sort of thing, having a "tough love" approach towards everything. "Crying won't solve anything," he muttered in the gentlest tone he could muster, only to be scolded by Kaien stating that, that's not how one treats a lady in distress. He watched as the Headmaster gave her a tissue and tried to comfort her. So, she wants to find out about her past. She sounds like another annoying student Iknow of…Yūki. Thank god for Zero helping her. However, there was a time when Yagarī went along with Kaien to the Hunter's Association when they were digging for information. His eyes narrowed at the girl in front of him, though. "What do you mean, what?" Was she not human?

Shit. Shit. SHIT! It wasn't like her to swear at all, not even in her thoughts. However, she had slipped-up big time with the use of the word "what." How else was she supposed to respond? Behind her hand, which was still covering her eyes until she was positive that her tears had vanished, her eyes were as wide as plates. She did admit to herself that her teacher was right, though. Crying never did solve anything, no matter how many times someone shed those tears. It was still a bit insensitive, but also true. There was no disagreeing with truth and facts; she did reach out and take the tissue from the headmaster anyways to wipe any remaining moisture from her eyes.

Kaien's initial response to the "what" had his own variety, coming in the form of his eyebrows raising way up as he exchanged looks with the other male. "Exactly what do you mean, Reiko-san?" inquired the headmaster. His concerns were masked by his efforts to keep the "lady in distress" calm and his behind his glasses. It was possible that she had just misspoken during her moment of emotional weakness, but one couldn't take any chances of making incorrect assumptions. So, they would hold off on reporting to the Association depending on the response that he and Yagarī received. There was no way this girl could possibly find out about her past on her own anyways. Yūki had wanted to do the same, only to end up relying on Zero, Kaien, and Yagarī himself (to a point). One's options were limited unless they were a properly registered Hunter.

Leaning against the wall, Yagarī crossed his arms and sighed, looking down. Problems just kept arising, driving this situation out of control. Being a Hunter, it should be expected. His job was not an easy one. It was full of surprises. "Do you think the Association will need to hear about this? Even if our information is limited?" he asked mainly Kaien, although he spoke to both. By this, he meant the situation of Reiko not knowing who or what she was.

Many things Reiko could let go. Her greatest and most confusing secret, she could not. To this point has she been extremely careful with not divulging anything of her weird tattoo. Now that she knew that Shourim has been keeping quiet about it as well, she felt better. Reiko didn't have to worry about having to explain it to anybody...still. She hoped to keep it that way until the time was right for her to mention it and finally looked up from the area on the floor that she had been staring holes into.

"It was a poor choice of words on my behalf," Reiko said very quietly. Then she put her hand to her throat and cleared it softly. "But, why would I have no birth certificate? I should have one, or my guardian should have been able to locate it long before I even came here...all I know is that I was born on February fourteen, and that my parents are out there somewhere, but I can't search for a family who might not even be alive if I don't know who they are or what they look like...and we all know that not every registered hunter has access to certain Association archives. My guardian tried. He only got as far as learning that my ancestors died thirty years ago."

Reiko stared past Headmaster Cross to look out the window behind his desk. She saw the sun shining brightly and looked at it straight-on. If the tattoo on her left arm had any merit to it, and she was indeed a Pureblood, then seeing the sun should be affecting her right now. Seeing as it wasn't, she looked from the headmaster to Yagarī. "Look. As confused as I am about my identity, I'm pretty sure that I'm human. The doctors told me that my anemia isn't hereditary, that I just need to strictly monitor my diet. I don't have any weird cravings, except for maybe some ice cream and a brownie right now. Go ahead, and tell the Association about me if you want to. I've got nothing to hide, and you wouldn't be telling them anything new. Just...please don't help me. I need to find my parents on my own."

As unusual as her request was, Reiko had a good reason to remain independent. By asking for help, she would have to let go of every secret that she had. Reiko wasn't ready for that quite yet; she was afraid of what might happen to her if she was to reveal everything. If she did follow through on showing her Katana to any of the Association's cabinet members or the President, then how would she actually benefit? She might not get any further than Shourim had, but she had to at least try. Knots formed in her stomach again at his warning to her. Every time I entertain the thought, these knots come back. Why does this warning come back every time I think about doing this? And, Reiko went quiet again.

Needless to say, Yagarī was glad when Reiko finally stopped crying. Seeing a woman cry almost always made him rather uncomfortable. Since any other woman he had been around had never cried in front of him, he didn't know a thing about how to handle the situation. It's like if someone handed him a baby. What on earth would he do with a crying infant!? Sure he'd take care of it, what human wouldn't? But it'd certainly prove to be an awkward task, and something he was not natural at.

Alas, he also didn't care much about her own personal search for her parents. That didn't quite stop him from telling her, "You can't do it alone. Not with the limited information you have. But it's your choice." He certainly wasn't volunteering to help her. It was just the cold hard truth. Having more information on hand made more information easy to find. "If you'll excuse me, I need to head to the Hunter's Association." He needed to report this latest incident at the school, so he found his presence here no longer necessary.

Neither did Reiko feel that her presence was required anymore. As the person who had brought her here to the headmaster's office considered taking his leave, the student couldn't help but look up at him and note some of the observations that she had made about him. This must be how he rose to the rank that he's at now…how he became the top Hunter. She knew even less of Kaien besides his eccentric personality and the reputation that he held as some sort of legend. Some of her silly peers' gossip also revealed that Yūki was his adopted daughter. What had her life been like before Cross Academy? Reiko would ask the brunette herself if she didn't still feel the knots inside of her gut. I can't…that would be an unnecessary risk. Alas, her idea was trashed as a bad one.

Realising that she was outright staring at her teacher was enough for Reiko to decide that she needed to get out of here, and fast. Another minute of idling around, and she would end up thinking about the very emotions which she denied daily. She still needed to head into town for dinner before curfew. "Headmaster-senpai, may I have permission to take Yūki-chan with me into town for dinner? Ah, after her Prefect duties are complete." Suddenly changing the subject to distract her thoughts was enough for Kaien to pick up on something bothering the student. Not wanting to press the matter any, he was instead happy to see that Reiko was finally starting to come out of her shell some. He granted permission to the legitimate request.

Finally, Reiko turned to her teacher once more. "I apologise for all of the trouble and the extra work that I've brought upon you, Yagarī-sensei." She bowed for him as well, making sure to not "grovel" at him a second time. "Thank you both for listening…excuse me, please. I won't keep either of you." Raising herself, she walked to the door and took leave to find Yūki. Naturally, nobody would be hearing of this meeting from her, not even the Prefects. All of this needed to stay to herself.

"Reiko-san! Wait!" Kaien wasn't finished yet, but it was too late to call her back now. She was already gone. "It's not often that I'll find a Day Class student with something to hide…and she's hiding a few things. Did you see that look in her eyes? That's the look of someone who doesn't want to hide." Yet she was, and he wanted Yagarī to keep a close eye on her.

My apologies for the sudden drag-like pace this chapter's taken on. This wasn't my favourite chapter to format, hence it being shorter than the others. The following chapters should be much more enjoyable. Until then, please share your thoughts!