Chapter 10

In Yagari's life, he had ambushed vampires in countless ways. Their faces always distorted in the same raging way with mad eyes and snapping mouths. And always they were dying to sink their fangs into his flesh for a taste or kill him outright.

Never had he inflicted such terror onto someone he cared for. Fear and confusion reflected on Naora's face, mirroring his tumultuous feelings. The past wasn't meant to determine the future, but Yagari refused to lose his heart to a scheming woman.

"Toga…"

The shaking in Naora's voice unhinged him. Yagari ignored it. He had to find out about her, right here and now.

"Who are you?" Deadly intent rang in the room. "If you are putting this school in danger by coming here, I will deal with you."

At hearing Yagari's threat on her life, Naora whimpered. "You know who I am. I'm Naora Torisawa. A teacher. Why are you asking me this?"

"The trinket you wore the night that vampire attacked you in the gardens. It belonged to someone I knew."

Naora swallowed hard. "I figured you would." Her dark eyes burned in entreaty. "Please… let me go. I cared for him."

Immense sadness made Naora's eyes avoid his.

Against his cautious judgment, Yagari slowly sheathed his hand knife into a belt pouch on his back.

"Zero Kiryu's father. What a good friend he was. I was in a rough situation and his help was invaluable."

Zero's father, while stern, had a love for his children Yagari only envied. "You stole the weapon from Kiryu?"

"No. I can't tell you everything, Yagari. It's difficult. Believe me when I say I'm not at this school to hurt anyone."

"I'll bet."

Hurt turned down Naora's mouth at Yagari's curt response. His discomfort he pushed aside as he picked himself up to get off the bed.

"You have secrets," Naora stated, sitting up, "and I have them. Don't let that prevent us from caring about each other."

It was too late for Yagari not to care about Naora which made his unanswered questions roll around in his head.

He went to the door and twisted the knob. "See you later."

"For sure I had bet you two were making out."

Yagari pried open his eye. From his reclined position on the bench near the fountain, Zero hovered above him, blocking the sunlight. That nap lasted about 4 minutes.

"I wanted to talk with you. Good timing."

"What about?"

Having trouble putting into words what he really wanted, Yagari muttered, "Keep an eye out for Naora. She may be trouble."

"What?!" Zero rubbed the back of his neck, his stupefied eyes wide.

"Tell Kaito this, too."

"Why? Aren't you and Torisawa in love?"

Yagari regarded the youngster with curiosity, sitting as he did. "Things happen differently than you expect. Just do it, Zero. I don't want you getting hurt." Thoughts of Zero's father prompted Yagari to ask, "Did your dad have a lot of close friends?"

Confusion wrinkled Zero's brows, but he did answer. "Not really. He knew Association members. Outside of Hunters, one or two, I guess. Same with Mom. Killing vampires isn't an occupation we can share freely with outsiders."

"Hnh." Hunters were a reclusive bunch so why did Zero's father assist Naora? For what?