Here is a new chapter after that long hiatus. As always, I apologize for my ridiculous disappearances. But it takes awhile to get out of writer's block and juggle reality. I will get busy again in the coming months because I'm planning to study medicine, but I will still write.

Also, I made a whole big shpeal of whether I should continue writing but thankfully, there are people who have motivated me to continue. So thank you to those people for your support! I love you

And on we go…

Chapter 10: Soiree of Unexpected Happenings Part 2

"Kaito!"

I ran to him leaning against a door for support. Oh no, oh no! His wound looked pretty deep. The blood was oozing out below his left shoulder; if he was attacked, then the cut almost missed his heart. I had to do something! I had to…

"Touma-sempai! Please call for help!" I turned to him, dread trickling down my spine. "Please call the other hunters!"

"There's no need. I already hear them coming." He said that in the most eerily calm way as possible. But sure enough, I heard running footsteps and soon the headmaster, Zero, and few other faces had joined us in a frantic attempt to know what had happened.

"Joan-chan, are you alright?" The headmaster first came to me, his tone now incredibly serious and concerned. "What did you see?"

My face was hot. My vision was starting to get surprisingly blurry. Was I tearing up? What…what did I see? That woman. That mysterious woman. But nothing was processing in my brain. I couldn't form anything into words. Right now, I could only concentrate on Kaito who was gently picked up by Zero and Yagari.

"We'll need a separate place to fix his injuries immediately." Zero said before turning to Touma-sempai. "Do you have such a place that won't attract the attention of the vampires in the ballroom? They're already going nuts with the smell."

"There's one down the hall in the east wing. The room will be scent-proof." He instinctively put his hand on his nose. "I will go and take care of my guests. I suppose I shall leave you here to investigate." I didn't watch him leave, but he was gone when I looked back at where he stood.

Then someone grabbed my hand. What? I saw Kaito's cold hand take mine. "Kaito-san!" He was awake! But barely. His eyes flickered open a bit as he lied against Zero's chest. He was looking at me, and his lips were fighting to move. I felt so sad. I almost pitied him then and there.

"Kaito-san, what is it…?" I repeated, holding his fingers tightly. "Please speak to me."

"J…Jn…Joan…" I leaned forward to hear through his mumble. "Tht wmn…woman…sorry…" There was a groan. He closed his eyes and let go. What? What did he—?

"Come on, let's get him to a room." Yagari motioned the others to make way as he and Zero carried him off down the hall. But what was he saying? What was he going to say? The woman…that vampire…?

"Joan, it's okay. He'll be alright." The headmaster's voice. He put his arms around my shoulders comfortingly. "The good news is that it's not the worst of his injuries he's had. He'll recover in no time."

Good news? I had to scoff. It was only good news because I came by in time. If I had been any later, that vampire would have finished him. Once again I found myself at the right place at the right time. I was here first, I saw the vampire and saw what she had done to Kaito even before the hunters did.

And it was all because Touma-sempai had guided me here. That's right…he was the one who told me to go after my father so I would come across the courtyard in time. He told me where the real attack was going to happen tonight and led me here before anyone else. So I could see the face of the culprit. So I could see who was really behind this madness.

"Touma-sempai knows something…" I breathed out. I saw the headmaster's confusion and I felt a wave of frustration. "Please tell me Touma-sempai told you something. That you knew this was going to happen."

"Joan, all we knew was that a primary suspect would be here tonight. We figured it would be that man who had pretended to be one of the Tengai Makyou—"

"But it wasn't the man!" I said loudly this time, breaking him off. The face of that woman was still swimming in my eyes. "It was his partner, the woman he was dancing with! She did this to Kaito! I don't know why the man had a fake tattoo with him, maybe they were conspiring together, I don't know. But the woman is the criminal. I saw her jump out the window." I was speaking fast, letting all my frustration out. "Touma-sempai told me you were all following the wrong track. You were all misdirected. I thought you would know this by now. I thought he would tell you."

Tears had welled up in my eyes. I had so many things I wanted to think about—to sort out slowly and rationally—but my head was pounding with everything I just saw and knew. My brain was hurting with so much and so little information. I felt exhausted.

"Seems like that pureblood is not telling us everything we need to know." One of the hunters said. "Should we go sort him out?"

"No, you got more things to worry about." The headmaster brought his hand up. "Joan-san and I will talk to him."

"The suspected man is still being interrogated in the other room." Hm? I looked up at the hunter who had said that. He was staring at me now. "He admits to have been in a trance all this time. Doesn't know how he came to the dance or how he got the tattoo smeared on him. Can't even say who had put him in a trance in the first place."

"May I go speak to him?" I made myself sound more confident, more unmoving. I looked at the headmaster. "I want to do that first before speaking with Touma-sempai."

"Yes, you may." I was glad to hear that he finally agreed. He knew that I could no longer be kept away from the danger. I was already a part of it now.

I followed them to another secluded room where the vampire was lying on a sofa chair, his hands rubbing against his forehead as if he was trying to remember something important. Three other hunters stood before him, their faces clearly irritated from his lack of participation.

"This young lady has some questions for you." The hunter that accompanied me snarled at him. "But don't think you're out of our scrutiny yet, vampire."

Sheesh! Their inconsiderate tone was starting to annoy me. Suspect or not, he did not deserve to be treated this way if he didn't know what he was doing. "Thank you for that, I'll take it from here." I merely said.

The vampire widened his eyes at me, surprised probably for seeing that I was a mere human girl. I met his gaze and caught a small glimpse of his fangs. But unlike the first time I had faced a pair of fangs, I was not scared this time. I did not care if he had the power to suck my blood dry if he wanted to. I saw him just like any animal I saw in the wild. I observed everything about him and noted every feature and quirk. This was what real detective work was about—the power of observation and deduction.

"You were dancing with a pretty lady tonight," I started, "Who was she?"

"I was dancing with many pretty women tonight, little human." He smirked. "Which one specifically?"

"Oh, so you do admit being aware that you were dancing in a ballroom?" I licked my lips. "I thought you said you were in a trance the whole time?"

"W-well…" I saw him stutter. Not surprising. "I knew that I was here. I just don't remember leaving the dance to come to this room. When the hunters grabbed me, then I realized I had come all the way out here."

"But you are not one of the guests tonight. You don't belong to the Tengai Makyou organization since you proclaim that tattoo was smeared on you." I continued. "Did Touma-sempai personally invite you?"

"Yes! Here look!" He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "He said I was cordially invited to this soiree, but mainly to help him find a suspect. He didn't mention anything about inviting specific people."

The headmaster took the paper from him. "Hm, it's certainly in his handwriting. But it smells different." He sniffed at it. "Smells like a woman has lingered her scent on this."

"Well I don't know, I wasn't looking out for that." The man shrugged.

"When did you receive this letter?" I continued to ask.

"E-em, last week."

"The letters went out three days ago and were received day before yesterday." I looked at him suspiciously. "And even if you had received yours a week ago, the ink and the scent would not have been so fresh." I took out my own letter and compared it to his. "Yes, the handwriting is the same but the ink in mine has become lighter."

"Which means the letter has been forged. Very recently." The headmaster answered for me. "Someone else made you come here tonight. To do a forbidden deed, am I right?"

"I-I…" He was growing white in the face. I saw him shift in his seat. "I really don't...I mean, I wasn't awake when she did this to me."

"Who's she? And what did she do to you?" I asked loudly so he knew how serious I was for the truth. "Answer me now!"

"A woman! I don't know, a pureblood vampire woman! I've never seen her before and I don't know her name! But she came to me saying I should do a deed for her in return for power and protection! And how was I to refuse a pureblood?" He was quaking with fear and frustration. "She must have scratched the tattoo on my neck when I was sleeping and hypnotized me when I was dancing. But I was only told to keep a watchful eye on Touma-sama, not to kill anybody!"

His words were sending a strange surge of excitement through my body. It was not just the fact that I had been completely right-that a female newcomer was behind this after all-but I tried to imagine how close I was to possibly identifying her.

"What did this woman look like?" I asked quickly, excitedly, as if the answer could eliminate so many probabilities and lead us clearly down one single path. I saw her myself. As quickly and horrifying as that was, I knew what she looked like. It was just a matter of matching it up with the man's answer.

"She...em...I don't know. Her head was shaved." He continued. "She came to me in a velvet cloak, but her head was wrapped in a black-laced turban. And her eyes were blue...no, like a seafoam green."

"And you don't remember dancing with her?" The headmaster said disappointedly.

"I don't know I may have...there were so many women with green eyes tonight. And none of them were bald." He forced back a snicker.

"It must have been a wig she was wearing." I answered with a frown. "She was the last woman you danced with tonight." I stood up and turned to the headmaster. "I'm ready to talk with Touma-sempai now."

"What…I'm done?" The man was looking around hopefully. "S-so I'm good to go?"

"No, please keep a watch on him." I said to the other hunters. "I might need him later."

"What? But I already told you what I had to say! " He bared his teeth at us. "I swear to the devil I was only going to help Touma-sama! It was his orders I was supposed to follow before that other faceless pureblood fucked me up!" I saw him throw the invitation on the ground. "You guys are so annoying! Is this what I get for doing a good deed for once? If this woman promised me protection, I would have rather insisted on doing her dirty work instead!"

"Oh believe me, she wouldn't have given you protection," I found myself speaking out loud. What was this? A sense of boldness? Was I…suddenly taking charge? "She would have mercilessly butchered you and put you on display instead."

I saw him go stiff before I turned around and left the room with the headmaster. I couldn't believe my words. And to a vampire! A part of me was suddenly operating with a mind of its own. But I felt exhausted. My brain felt charred from overuse, everything from seeing that beast and trying to put these little puzzles and knots together was pushing me to my limit. But how could I rest? How could I even stop when this was such a critical time to get to the bottom of a tangled mystery? No one seemed to be on the same page-it was as if every one had their own intentions and plans to overthrow the other. This was a huge debacle that was keeping us from leading us to the common enemy, and I was hopelessly stuck in the middle.

"Joan-chan, that was amazing." The headmaster spoke up. He smiled admiringly at me. "I've never seen anyone take charge like that. You were really meant to take this role after all."

"I asked the questions that I knew would break him. But more than that, I realized something else..." I stepped closer to him to relieve us of wandering ears. "If what he says is true about Touma-sempai initially using him as a spy, then this woman must have anticipated this to get to him before he set foot here tonight. Meaning..." I stared past his shoulder at the wall. "Both she and Touma-sempai were trying to use the same man to spy on each other."

"Unless...Touma planned it all. He could have intentionally let her take his spy from him." Kaien tapped his chin. He was right...there was also that possibility. But for what purpose I could not tell for sure. "Knowing him as much as I do, he doesn't just let these things slip past his fingers. He must have had something else in mind to let this happen."

"Well he certainly took me on a roundabout ride, that's for sure," I scoffed. "You know him so well and yet I can't understand why he doesn't tell you and your men what he plans on his own. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Cooperate to find our common enemy?"

His sigh was clear. I hated that, a sign of defeat. "I wish it was easy, Joan-chan. Believe me, you if I were to tell you tracking our enemy was going to be simple with all the hands and minds we have, I would have been lying." He paused with unease. "Joan-chan...you do remember what Kaito-san taught you about vampires right? Your first few days in his classroom?"

I nodded unenthusiastically. Of course. As much as I wanted to be the voice of common sense and reason, I was forgetting that this was the real world. And the real world most of the time did not apply common sense. "Everyone has their own agenda. Their own pride and politics." I knew this was not just something unique to this supernatural world between vampires and hunters. No...even the world outside-the regular human world-was not spared from this mentality...the twisted mentality of people who desire power.

"Right. So you see, Touma has his own methods, but it's not to say he doesn't trust us or has ill intentions. It's more that he fears if we know too much what he knows...it could become easier for the enemy to bring us down faster. Plus my men and women may decide to well...use his information recklessly." He rubbed the back of his head embarrassingly. "Does that make sense, Joan-chan? Touma is the only one we have on our side to at least be a face of authority and an equal match against this woman. He's, how I hate to say...an image to the public, to show we are trying to take action the best way possible. And before you say anything..." I stopped me before I could retort. Before I could voice my abhorrence once again. "We really are trying our best...under the circumstances and limits that exist, we really are working to stop this as soon as possible."

I pressed my lips tight to digest his information. A tightening of my core, a stiffness in my limbs. I was used to this...I was always used to this. Nothing in this world was free from this kind of fuckery, with self-absorbed, powerful, and corrupted hands nudging their way into everything to decide a route and outcome. Even in Camaroon, nothing prepared us for the coup that followed, nor did we receive protection from the government in the aftermath. We were only told to find our own mode of safety or leave. Leave everything we had made for ourselves to start again somewhere else. After all, we were never settlers, and we were never free from an invisible force just pulling us against our whim.

Knowing this, the only thing I could do now was find a balance.

"Fine. If you want me to act discreetly, then at least give me the chance to be the mediator between Touma-sempai and few of you who actually do care," I whispered back. "He trusts me apparently...so if there's anyway I can keep you, Zero-san, Yagari-sensei, and Kaito-san informed as much as possible...and I mean only you guys, then we at least can be on the same page."

"I agree," he smiled. "That's exactly what I hoped you would be for us. And I must say...I am not disappointed of our choice."

I chuckled shyly. This was an odd time for compliments, but I took them with hopefulness. "In any case, as of now we should keep that vampire around in case we need him later. I can ask Touma-sempai about tonight whenever he is ready to speak with me."

"We can try, but he may still be occupied with managing the soiree after what happened. But at least we know for sure that a pureblood woman was involved," he continued. "We learned what she possibly looks like too. This will considerably narrow us down on one path. And if we find her to be a member of Tengai Makyou, then that narrows our search down even further."

I wanted to be happy, but I couldn't stop seeing her monstrous face…it had looked at me and had somehow recognized me. But how? Did she interrogate Kaito into exposing my identity before attacking him? Was she mad because I was a new face? A new hindrance in her plan?

A foreign bait. Kaito had told me I was being used to confuse the serial killer. To use our own method of unpredictability. But still that face. That sad, sad face…

"Joan, would you like to wait until the soiree is over? Or should I send you off with Kaito and the others?" The headmaster spoke softly. "I know we both have to have a big talk with Touma, but he may not have his hands free until much later tonight. And by the looks of your eyes..." He brushed his fingers above my cheek. "...they're aching to get some sleep."

He was right. It just hit me how immensely tired I was. My brain said otherwise, but my body refused to cooperate. Plus, who knew how long I had to wait until Touma could see us privately? It was how it was, I guess.

But moreover, I couldn't forget that I had another person to question. I knew my own supplementary class teacher was not free from interrogation either. The thought made me anxious. Would he be alright to speak? Would his wounds heal fast enough? Kaito...

"Yes, I would…like to leave with the others." I responded. "If in case you manage to confront him tonight, please let me know."

"Of course, I can definitely owe you that much."

I bowed with gratitude before turning to head towards the east-wing.

"And Joan-chan." Hm? I looked at him again. "I'm sorry your first soiree turned into a mess. Your dress really didn't deserve that."

It took me a second to realize that he meant the dirt and wrinkles that covered my gown after seeing so much action in one day. Even the small camera I had attached to my purse did not come to any use.

"That's what I get for being part of your gang." I shrugged.

I turned again and walked past the place where I had first laid eyes on the mysterious woman. Some hunters had cleaned up the extra blood, probably to use it for analysis. I walked past the window where she had jumped out, and my eyes just barely caught a glimpse of something that a hunter had found outside—a small wooden doll.

XXXXXX

"What did we tell you about running ahead of the others?" Yagari was fighting back a pulsating vein on his forehead. He glared irritatingly at Kaito, who had regained consciousness after a couple hours since we returned back to Yagari's apartment from the soiree. His injury was cleaned up, and he was told to stay in bed with heavy bandages spun tightly around his chest and shoulders. But his attitude remained the same. Go figure.

"You were supposed to go with us to—"

"Ayeee go away, sensei," Kaito grumbled loudly. He put his hands over his eyes. I shook my head at his childishness.

"Well whatever. You've still got some explaining to do, kid," Yagari said before looking at me. "Think you'll be able to handle this runt on your own?"

"Oh I think I can use a chainsaw or something to make him talk." I got up from my seat in the corner. I felt better now that I was wearing a simple hoodie over casual clothes. The dress was nice to wear, but it was giving me minimum flexibility.

"Then he's all yours." Yagari smiled before crossing the room. I felt a pat on my head, and I beamed at it as a good sign. It was nice to see that they were starting to turn their heads now. I was starting to make them accept me.

The door closed behind us. "Joan." Kaito's voice made me turn to him. I kept my composure, trying to notion that this was his fault, but inside I was burning with pity and relief.

"That woman targeted you tonight," I got to the point quickly. "I know you already know this. I know you went to the soiree to go after her on your own." My words spilled out every so plainly, and yet each time I felt a quake in my voice. Why did you do it, Kaito? I wanted to say it out loud.

He sighed. I was hoping desperately that he did not say what was already on my mind.

"Did that Night Class president tell you?" he finally spoke, "about the serial killer taking revenge on those who killed her children?"

I felt a wave of nausea. "You…you were one of them? You killed an innocent woman's children?"

"She was not innocent. And no…I'm not the kind of person who would do something like that."

My fear went down a bit. I reiterated again what Touma had told me. "So then…someone before you…? She's after you because—"

"Because of my parents," I flinched when he turned his weary eyes at me. A flicker of annoyance and regret hung within those pupils. I was stiff as he spoke, "They were the ones involved in the assignment…before they died."

"Assignment?" I breathed out.

"Yes, the thing none of us likes to mention out loud. A few individuals from both vampire and hunter side took on an illegal assignment, conspired I should say, to eliminate this woman and her newborns for no reason at all other than to keep her quiet."

"Quiet from what?" My voice was loud. I felt shaken. A scandal? What happened that could have caused both sides to commit such a heinous act?

"I don't know…" he growled under his breathe. "It's all new to me. Ever since these fucking attacks, I've been wanting to investigate further…and I found out about this…" His breath came out harshly. "I…haven't told you everything, newbie. I should have said something when you mentioned your hunch about the killer being a vengeful mother."

I folded my arms. Of course…I was not imagining it when I noticed his hesitance taking in everything I had deduced. He knew about this, he knew I was right. And yet…no. There was no point in arguing about it now. "Go on."

"I didn't know what you said was true, or at least carried some proof, until I found one of my parents' diaries at my old house," he continued. "I tried to look for old entries going back many years on the date the first victim was found. I didn't think I was going to find anything…but there was a separate sheet stuffed between the pages, carrying a seal that made it turn into flames few seconds after touching it," his eyes drifted to mine. "I caught as many words as I could before it turned to dust, and that alone showed me that this assignment was no regular mission. No one was meant to know about this entry…and yet they wrote it down…perhaps have me be the one to find it before anyone else. "

Dear god… "Why didn't you tell this to the other hunters? To your own comrades?"

A pause. "I didn't want anyone else getting involved. I was so determined to lure her out on my own and end it once and for all."

"But she attacked you anyway! And she could have killed you too!" Unbelievable. I was upset. I was frustrated. How could he have thought to do something so stupid?

"She would have if you and that Touma hadn't shown up."

"You made them go after the man! When all this time you knew she was going to be here!" I continued, "You knew and yet you—"

"I was a marked man tonight, Joan. The last thing I wanted was to put Zero's life—your life—in danger." W-what? "Look, they know now alright? I've already been lectured, and I'm sure you already are aware of the situation now. So what happened is not important anymore." Not important…? "What we need to do now is—"

"How can you say that? !" I couldn't hold it in. "How can you say it wasn't important when I thought you were going to…going to die!" My vision was hazy. Salted taste on my lips. It was tears. Why was I crying? "Your comrades were worried about you! I heard that gunshot, I saw her with all that blood! I thought she…I thought she…" I rubbed my face callously. My hands were still shaking from the memory. Who was she? "Y-you guided me all this time…you took me around on this case to expose her, see all the things she was capable of. So what was the point of that huh? W-what was the point of bringing me here?"

My low whimpers were audible. Why was I acting this way in front of him? But I needed an answer.

"You don't have to cry like that for me…" Huh? His voice was low. "And you're here because you're needed in this case. Whether or not I know of her intentions now, it still doesn't help us to catch her. My parents never left any records of why this assignment was instigated or who this woman really is. We have to keep looking for clues and find out where she might strike next. If she missed me, she can still move on to her next target." He leaned back on his pillow and turned his gaze towards me. "And since you seem to have become well acquainted with Touma's good side, I'm sure you will have better opportunities to play than ever before."

"I'm not close to him," I blurted out automatically. "But it seems he knows things that you and the hunters don't, and vice versa. The headmaster says that's his little pureblood way and we should respect it. I hate it, you know. I hate that you all just operate by your own motives instead of working closely as a team. But of course, there are rules." I tapped my foot against the floor impatiently. "Sometimes I just wish I had more power, more influence to change things the way they are."

"It's not that easy, newbie. Even for you," A smirk on his lips. "You haven't been here long enough to know us that well. Even with influence, no one wants to trust each other except for the very few…and some serial killer taking revenge is not going to change anything."

"Yes I figured," I replied dryly, but his words were discomforting. Nothing will change? "Then what about you?" I continued slowly. "Can I trust you?"

I must have said something out of the ordinary, because I saw his facial muscles tense as he sat up in bed, his gaze turning into one of confusion. It was only when he relaxed that I heard him speak again. "That depends. Are you willing to trust me?"

An absurd question at a time like this. "I want to. I want to help find this murderer. That means relying on you because…" I paused. "Because you're one of the few I can count on."

I pressed my lips together. Again, I was saying things beyond my control because my brain couldn't stop being concerned for him. But how could I not? He was a fellow comrade, my teacher, someone who was guiding me from the very beginning to test my limits. He had made a stupid mistake, yes, but a part of it was done out of selflessness. To protect his allies. To protect me.

I wanted to understand him more. The truth was…I wanted to prove to him that I was capable…that he and I were a good team.

"Thank you." What? I blinked fast to get the heavy feeling off my chest. "For being concerned about me, and for eh…crying," He was smiling at me now, a simple thankful curve of his lips. The softness in his expression surprised me. "I guess I should apologize for making my student worry."

"It's okay. Just don't keep these gung-ho urges to yourself, sensei." He had chuckled at that, and I followed along, wiping the trace of moisture from below my eyelid.

"So I heard you've started to go commando recently, especially with that vampire you questioned today," He smirked. "You think you don't have much influence, but I wouldn't say you're completely hopeless. Do you like this newfound power?"

I didn't know when I had made my way to his bedside. I placed myself comfortably on a chair facing him. Good. It was nice to see the hunter back to his old playful self again.

"If that's what you call it, then yes," I gave him a face before moving my eyes down to his bandaged torso. "That looks bad. Does it still hurt?" I hastily changed the subject. It seemed sedated for now, but that didn't stop my hand to move towards it…

Oh! He grabbed me by the wrist. "Nope, you don't get to find out about my scars…" A quick look to my chest. "…until you tell me about yours."

"W-what?" I stuttered. I pulled my hand away from his grip. He was asking me this? Now? Of all times? "Why do you want to know?"

"It's fair don't you think? If we're to trust each other, I need to know your side of the story too."

The lightened mood suddenly lifted. I stared at him as if waiting for him to move on to another topic. But he kept his gaze fixated, and I felt the heat rise to my face. Why did he suddenly want to know about me? My past? Well, he was always pushing me to speak about it, but this time I felt cornered. I had no excuse to pull away, and shockingly enough, I had no energy to keep denying it over and over again.

"You're not ready to move on then, huh," I heard him say. "It's okay. I wasn't being serious when—"

"I was attacked." I started off with that. There was no helping it now. We had already initiated our trust, and I didn't want to shy away from it when it was important we remained on good terms.

"I was attacked back in Africa..." Strange…somehow I didn't feel uncomfortable bringing it up. Because we both had our own scars to deal with, because his attitude and idiotic view on things made me less afraid—it made that traumatic experience less scary to think about.

So I unzipped my hoodie enough to reveal the faint gash that ran across my collarbone down to the crook of my breasts. It stood out like a mutated centipede that took refuge under my skin—an effect from all the stitches I had received after I was nearly stabbed to death.

"It wasn't a wild animal that attacked me, but a human. This scar, em..." I hesitated. "was a result for getting pierced through my skin with a knife by a murderous lunatic…after he confronted me trying to save a family I knew from a burning home."

He looked oddly at me. "You were..." he couldn't finish what he wanted to say.

"Yeah… I was close to being murdered. And the worst part is, this lunatic was a man that the villagers knew to be on their side." I spoke gravely. "I wish, Kaito-san, that I can say the most ruthless and murderous instincts are found in vampires…but even humans are no less innocent. Sometimes…even humans lose their sanity and cause meaningless crimes. Some people just enjoy watching the world burn."

"What happened at Cameroon?" He asked huskily.

I saw the fire and screaming villagers in my head. The drumming of feet scattering and running away. "There was an invasion. Men from some terrorist group came one day and bombed our village. They set fire and explosions to everything. Many died, while few managed to get away. I was out that day…taking pictures of the lions. You know…the ones you printed out of my camera." I saw his face stiffen with the memory. "My father was with me too, and when we found out, we rushed back to save some of our close friends. I was shocked to see some of the men with their guns…they were some people that we knew. The whole attack was an inside job."

I took a deep breath to contain myself. There was nothing but the sound of our breathing. "I think it was a protest against the then-political system, a way to threaten some of the leaders by causing violence against those who supported them. I saw some terrible things. I tried to save a family that had welcomed us to their home so many times from the fire…and that was when a man broke in and…em…" I looked at the floor and traced a shaky hand down my scar. "A knife. H-he grabbed me and pushed me to the ground before…"

"That's enough." Huh? I looked up to see Kaito frowning. "You don't have to say anymore."

"B-but you didn't let me get to the important part."

"I don't want you to relive something like that just for the sake of explaining your scar!" He said loudly. Huh? Was he…he was concerned again. "I understand what you went through…I've seen the way you look when something triggers your memory. You don't have to get into details if it hurts. I won't make you do that."

"I know." I put a hand on his palm. I couldn't help but be grateful. "But you must have had many terrible experiences as a vampire hunter." I chuckled a bit. "Mine shouldn't even compare to what you have to face everyday."

"It's not a competition, idiot." He turned his face away, "A traumatic memory affects all of us. No matter if one time or more…it still changes us in the most painful of ways."

"But if one talks it over with someone…it doesn't hurt as bad anymore." I tried to make him look at me. A sense of relief washed over my mind knowing that he was listening. I wanted him to see my scar again—see me wholly. I was not afraid of his scrutinizing gaze anymore. I just wanted him to see everything that I was. Everything that I could become.

"If you're still curious, then you should know that I was able to retaliate. I-I killed him. Somehow," I continued, unaffected. "I was in critical condition but alive. If my father hadn't found me well…I wouldn't be here speaking today." I curled my legs up to hug them. Just protecting that fatal spot with my body curled towards my knees made me feel at ease. "I have never…harmed anyone my whole life. But I had to defend myself, even if it meant seeing someone I thought we trusted die in front of me. I…"

Another quake. The scent of blood. The hollowness in his eyes when he knew I had ended his life. In that one instant I had reacted with so much force, so much anger…I remember not knowing who I was anymore. A wild animal? Who was I at that point? It scared me. It scared me to know that I could simply kill a man right then and there. The instinct of survival.

"I think they were after that chemical…Kayin-jo. When they found out the village had barrels of them, they invaded just to take it for themselves. To profit out of them, to gain enough support to overthrow the government." I shook my head. "And then one thing led to another and my father and I had to flee before it escalated into a civil war."

He finally turned to look at me. His eyes only flickered down to my scar. Once, or twice. Again, that melancholy expression washed over him, but it felt strange to see this man express a notable sign of pity. Or sympathy. A hunter had a hardened heart…so I didn't expect him to take my story as a tragedy, but rather a motive to harden myself against the world. I was wrong.

"That must have been quite an experience," he said. "And yet you still do what you can to stay strong."

"I try. I can only look forward." A shrug. "But when I'm not doing anything or doing something mundane like em, schoolwork," I forced back a grin. "that's when the anxiety creeps up. I become restless…a side effect of the trauma. Which is why one of the reasons I joined this assignment was to keep my mind off. To do something…proactive with my brain and body."

"I see," Another smile. "Then you and I are not that different."

A blush. I needed to stop doing that. But it didn't stop me from smiling back. We're not different. Another elated feeling in my chest. Why did I feel light? A warmth in my body. We're not different, Kaito-san…

"Here." I had not realized when I took his hand and led it to my chest. There was a type of softness in my gestures that I didn't know existed. I was being extra careful with him. I allowed his fingers to touch the grooves on my collarbone. An immediate spark.

"You're a strange one, Joan." His face had softened at the touch. And his voice…his voice was beginning to drown to a whisper. "Does it hurt now?" A light trail of his fingers against my skin. I shivered.

"No…" I whispered back. "It feels nice."

"Good." Hm? I felt those fingers come up to my chin, and only then did I realize how close I had come to his face. W-what? I saw his brown eyes, the messy waves of hair, and a distinct dimple on his cheeks. I was observing him like I would before taking a picture. Before freezing a memory.

But this…this I wanted to be the real thing.

"This won't hurt either…"

Oh… A shivering moan escaped my throat as his lips touched mine. Ever so softly. K-Kaito? Too late. My eyes fluttered to a close. His hand, that warm hand, remained on my chin, keeping it poised. A quick lick of my bottom lip and then a kiss on my cheek. Then the other cheek. Why…couldn't I move?

"Joan…" Yes, that was my name. It sounded so much better in that soft whisper. Please say it again. I opened my eyes. He had stopped. A grin was crossing his face.

"Let's not…get ahead of ourselves." He smiled. Warmly. "Go and get some rest."

I was holding my breath. I didn't want to move. My whole face was on fire. And his…I could detect that blush on his cheeks. He liked it. What was that? The overwhelming feeling in my chest was not easing. I liked it too. What did this mean? Why would he suddenly…?

"Come on, newbie. Get out of here." He chuckled before gently nudging me off. I finally regained movement in my legs, but my lips were still shut. Kaito looked so different now. When did he change? I slowly walked to the door. I don't want to leave. Not when we were doing so well in communicating.

"Y-you rest up too, sensei—em, Kaito-san," I had to remain calm. "Thank you for everything."

"Thank you for being Miss Bossy," I heard him answer slyly. But I couldn't look at his face now. I was so red. This was weird, I couldn't look at him the same way. Not my annoying teacher, not even a hunter but…as someone different?

"Goodnight. I'll make sure you're properly watched," I took a deep breath. "Don't want to get yourself killed in your sleep." I tried to snicker it off, but I ran out immediately and closed the door behind me.

What was that? What was that? I touched my lips. No one has ever…let alone a man like him…

"You done?" Oh! The voice surprised me. I turned to see Zero come by in his usual demeanor.

"Yes, sorry. I didn't mean to take that long."

"Whatever, it's fine. I just have to exchange a few words with him."

I nodded before stepping out of the way so he could enter. I was thankful he didn't question my airy state. This feeling… This was not like me at all.

I made my way to the first floor below. It was the dead of night, but I had to go home soon didn't I?

"Don't think about leaving at this time," Hm? Yagari had come out from another room. "Cross says you could sleep here for tonight. I have your bed ready."

"Oh..." I fidgeted on the spot. "W-well then, thank you for your hospitality." I bowed back. I didn't expect them to let me off into the pitch black openness on my own either. Yagari's subtle kindness was welcoming. I yawned and felt my body relax. It had been a long cumbersome day. So much had happened, plus the burden of all these tumultuous emotions exhausted me out. I knew there were a lot of things that needed to be done the next day. And then the next. I felt like our real search had just begun.

There was no room for real sleep. Not after the things I had seen.

"Be careful with what you've been doing." What? Yagari had turned to me at the door in my new room. "There's not a lot of us here, and there's only a handful of individuals we can really trust. Don't make the mistake of trusting the wrong person."

That's right…that word again. "I won't. I know who to trust now." I yawned a second time. He didn't have to worry when Kaito and I were going to be on better terms after today.

I just wished I didn't have to regret those words later on.

XXXXX

Whew! Such a long chapter. Yes, my chapters are becoming pretty long. And this one had a lot of things going on that I struggled to jumble into one package. But hopefully it's getting more interesting. Next chapter will be out soon.