Note: New chapter. I made this one longer since I made you guys wait so long. A lot of things happen in this chapter and I can assure you there are mistakes. I also decided to make things even spicier in this chapter so I hope you like it.
Criticize away.
P.S. If any of you have any suggestions for the story I'd be glad to hear them. Everything that is said is taken into consideration.
[Handguns and Second Chances]
-14: My Fair Lady-
"The Devil, having nothing else to do,
Went off to tempt my Lady Poltagrue.
My Lady, tempted by a private whim,
To his extreme annoyance, tempted him."
- Hilaire Belloc
Hunter paced her bedroom raking her hands through her hair trying to figure out how she was going to pull off being a lady for a whole day. She has never acted like a lady before for she had no need to. All the burping contests she had with Michelle were useless now. Too bad he didn't challenge her to one of those. She'd kill him. Back at the orphanage she was the queen of burping contests.
The wolf sat down on her bed with her fingers still entangled in the mess that was called her hair. "What the hell am I gonna do?" she wondered aloud. "Shouldn't have accepted that challenge if you know you can't act like a lady," Kain said from his respective seat. It was his and Aido's turn to watch her. Hunter threw a quick glance at him. "I wasn't thinking," she said. That was the simple truth because she never thought about what she said when she got worked up.
"I doubt he'll even remember the challenge by tomorrow," Aido chimed in as he leafed through one of Hunter's books by Aleister Crowley. "I really don't know what you see in these books by that hedonist bisexual drug experimenter," he added as he read another short poem by Crowley. "Because he's interesting," Hunter replied unfazed by his degradation of Aleister. It really was all in personal taste whether one liked the writings of the controversial man or not.
"He'll remember," Kain said thoughtfully as the scene from fifteen minutes ago played in his mind. The fire in Hunter's eyes then didn't surprise him as much as Zero's outburst did. The only time he's seen the vampire so worked up was with Yuuki. It was a rare sight then too. The silver-haired teen has been all gloom and doom since he turned. It was only when he was with those two that something else came out of him. He could understand why Yuuki had an effect on him. The guy loved her. It was as obvious as the tattoo on his neck. Hunter on the other hand – he had yet to figure out.
Kain eyed Hunter as she sat there lost in her own world. Probably thinking about the challenge, he thought as he watched her chew on her bottom lip. "Dance with me," he suddenly said. Hunter's head sprung up and her eyes focused on him. "Huh?" she asked confused. "I said dance with me," Kain said slightly forcefully making it clear that it was a demand and not a question.
"But there's no music," Hunter replied. Kain picked up the mp3 player off her dresser and turned it on. "Yes there is," he said as he shuffled through the songs on it, trying to pick out the right one. What he wanted was a slow song but there seemed to be a deficiency of those on Hunter's mp3 player. The closest thing he came to was "Get Out Alive" by Three Days Grace. He then turned up the volume all the way and set the device back down on the dresser. The song's beginning soft tunes filled the bedroom as they streamed from the headphones. The music wasn't loud at all but it was loud enough to fill up the room with its melody.
Kain stopped in front of Hunter and held his hand out to her. "How about a waltz?" He asked, though once again his tone meant it was a demand and not a question. Hunter furrowed her brow in confusion but complied nonetheless. If he wanted to dance so badly with her then she was going to dance. The vampire took hold of her hand while she placed her other one on his shoulder. With their bodies touching, almost as if glued, he spun with her to the music. Hunter tilted her head away to assume the proper waltz position as her feet moved naturally, remembering all the right steps.
Their dance floor was small but for a slow dance like waltz it could work. They couldn't travel across the floor nor could they execute any spectacular moves but it was enough. Kain turned her around so her back faced him and wrapped his arm around her, placing his hand on her abdominal. Hunter remembering the move placed one hand over his then pulled her other arm up, her hand pulling his head down towards hers. Noses almost touching, Hunter could feel his breath on her lips. Kain traced his free hand up her soft arm as they took several steps forward.
Kain spun her away from him and they reverted back to the traditional waltz steps, their bodies once again glued as they took several steps then spun. With the final spin, Hunter leaned backwards then moved forward, placing a hand on his face as his travelled down her back, their noses touching briefly before he spun her away once more. When Kain brought her back in towards his body she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling herself in close to him. He then placed his own on her back and spun them together before lowering her and kneeling down on one knee.
"Bravo!" Aido clapped almost sarcastically. "Happy now?" Hunter asked as their cheeks touched. Her warm breath tickled his neck as she spoke.
"Are you?" He asked letting her go. Hunter stood back up and brushed herself off. "Why should I be?" she asked not knowing what he was aiming at. "You're not stressing out over the challenge, are you?" he asked with a smirk. Things clicked in Hunter's head. So that's why he wanted to dance. "Ah, that was sly," she said with a small smile letting him know it worked.
The vampire returned the small smile and turned off the music. Hunter sat back down on her bed. "So how come you two know how to ballroom dance?" she asked. "We're nobles, aristocrats, call it whatever you want – we have to know how to dance," Aido answered nonchalantly as he stretched in his chair. "If you're nobility, then why do you insist to hang out with someone like me? I'm not of noble birth," Hunter said. She wanted to know why did they really hang out with her, though she felt she already knew the answer.
"Nonsense, you're a descendant of a demigod – your blood is far more royal than ours," Kain said as he took a seat next to her. "Is that why you hang out with me?" Hunter asked, "Because of what I am?" Her tone was so bitter that he could almost taste it. The vampire took in a deep breath. "Originally that's what it was," he began. "I was only interested in what you were – an ancient creature that's on the brink of extinction. My grandmother told me stories of your kind when I was little. She spoke of the great power your kind possessed. The fear that it spread. She always told me to respect the beast that howls at the moon for when provoked even a pureblood stands little chance…" he said almost thoughtfully. Hunter eyed him curiously, patiently waiting for him to continue.
"I couldn't help but be intrigued by the tales of the beasts she spoke of," he said. "So when I learned about you I couldn't help but want to see it all for myself. It was one of those one in a million chances…" He paused collecting his thoughts. "But for a werewolf you're kind of a disappointment…." He said with a small smile as he looked down on her. Hunter's brow twitched not knowing whether being a disappointment in this case was good or not.
His smile widened. "You're not as scary as I hoped you'd be," he said looking deep into her eyes. Hunter's brows furrowed once more, "why would I be scary?" she asked confused. "You're a werewolf, you're supposed to be this huge beast with long fangs and deadly jaws, big paws, and shaggy fur – and you're not," he explained.
Hunter chewed over his words in her head. What he said was true. The most "wolf" she ever got was the tail, vampire-like fangs and kitty-like claws. She could see why he was disappointed. He was expecting some ferocious monster but got this rather pathetic half-breed. To an aristocratic vampire like him she was no scarier than a rabid hamster. "I can see why you're disappointed," she said. "So now that your little bubble is broken, why do you continue to spend time with me?" Hunter really wanted the truth.
"It's because we like you Hunter-chan!" Aido chimed in. "He just thinks he's too cool to admit that though," the blonde added with an evil smirk. What Aido said was true besides the last part. Kain would admit that he liked Hunter – as a friend as far as he was concerned – but to him it was a little more than that. For him, spending time with Hunter was more like a breath of fresh air. It was his break from the stagnant life at the academy and his servitude to Kaname. It wasn't as if he hated Kaname. Of course, sometimes he didn't agree with everything the pureblood did but it was loyalty that would always keep him by his side.
Hunter looked at him quizzically. With a smile he shrugged. She didn't know whether she liked their answer or not, but for now it would have to do. A yawn escaped her lips. "I think you should go to sleep," Aido said to her. Hunter looked at him briefly before giving him a small nod of consent. She settled in on her bed as Kain tucked her in – a habit he picked up from watching her with Aido. Sometimes Hanabusa would tuck her in when he wasn't around but for the most part it was his job.
It wasn't long before she left the conscious world.
Kain looked at Aido. "I feel like a parent right now," he said to his friend. "Tell me about it, it's like we're playing house with a wolf as our kid. So who's the mommy in this little family?" Hanabusa asked. Akatsuki smirked, "you."
The blonde vampire glared at him. He really wanted to explode on him but that'd result in waking up Hunter. They didn't want that. Still….it was unfair. Why did Kain get to be the daddy? Kain ruffled his friend's hair and took his usual seat. "C'mon, it's not serious," he said.
Slouching his shoulders defeated, Aido took his respective seat and the two sat there in silence. It wasn't long before Hunter's usual nightmares began.
Akatsuki sighed. "Here we go," he said getting up from his seat. Hunter had nightmares every night, or so it seemed. They didn't know if she had them when Kiriyuu was watching her. All they knew was that she had them when they were on duty. Sitting down on the edge of her bed, Kain brushed away some stray hairs from her face and began petting her like a puppy. That was the only thing that seemed to work whenever she had a nightmare. It was going to be another long night.
* * * * * *
The loud alarm buzzed crazily in the early morning hours startling Hunter awake. With a jolt she threw her arm over to silence man's most annoying creation only to find it out of reach. The screeching noise was giving her a headache. Trying to reach the alarm clock, Hunter rolled over fast and bumped hard into a body next to hers sending them both falling down onto the floor with a loud thud.
Confused, Hunter looked down at the grunting body underneath her. It belonged to Kain. He was shielding his eyes from the morning sun with his hand. She was laying on top of him in an entangled mess of blankets. It was an awkward and confusing situation. Their eyes locked briefly before another groan came from the bed. "Turn that damn thing off!" Aido yelled from the bed not caring the covers were stripped off him. "And turn off the light!" he grumbled in addition, his voice muffled by the pillow.
Snapping back into reality, Hunter sat up, straddling Kain and leaned over him to turn off the alarm. Her voluptuous chest came barely an inch from his face. She was wearing only a white tank top that did little to cover her. Unfortunately, even though he was a vampire he was still a guy in the end. Grabbing the girl by her waist, he turned, easily overpowering her. Now she was under him but his waist was between her thighs making the position look even weirder.
He looked down on her with a small smirk gracing his lips. Her hair was sprawled around her head like a black halo, glistening in the morning sun. He leaned in close to her ear, inhaling her scent before speaking. "I think you should consider your actions more often," he said in a quiet voice only she could hear.
The door to the room opened and Zero walked in to relieve Aido and Akatsuki of their "shift", as he liked to call it. However, what he saw stopped him dead in his tracks. Aido was lying sprawled on Hunter's bed in nothing more than a pair of boxers with his head under a pillow, while Hunter and Akatsuki were on the floor in a heap of blankets. Judging by the movements under the blankets it looked like they were doing something.
Kain heard the door open and knew it was Zero. Feeling evil, he decided to test if the vampire liked Hunter or not. "Someone's here," Hunter whispered letting him know she heard the door as well. "Shh," he put his index finger over her lips silencing her. She looked at him confused. There was never a time she could tell what was on his mind.
Smirking he dipped his head lower and licked the side of her neck as his hand trailed up her tank top. "What ahhh– "he bit her neck, turning her question into a moan of pain and disturbingly enough pleasure as well. He didn't bite her hard enough to break skin and draw blood, but it was enough to make it hurt.
"Hold on," Kain whispered to Hunter, placing his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet before lifting himself up. Looking over his shoulder he saw Kiriyuu standing in the door. Their eyes met briefly. An ice-cold glare met his nonchalant look telling him that the vampire didn't like what he saw.
"Sorry to interrupt," Zero said coldly and turned on his heel, closing the door behind him. He let go of Hunter's mouth. "You jerk!" she yelled punching him in the chest. "What the hell was that all about?!" she ranted, furious that he did something like that to her.
"I think he likes you," Kain said to her, ignoring the punches she threw at him. It wasn't like they hurt anyway. "What?" she asked confused. What the hell is he talking about now?! She wondered angrily in her head. "Zero – I think he likes you," he repeated himself as he got off her. "How'd you figure that out?" she asked not believing him as she rubbed her aching neck. "Should've seen his face after you moaned like that," he said with a small smirk.
"Anyone would have a weird face if they saw something like that you bastard," she said getting up. "Will you two shut up? I'm trying to sleep here…" Hanabusa grumbled from under the pillow. Hunter threw a quick glare at him. "What the hell you're doing in my bed anyway?! You too! What were you both doing in my bed?!" she yelled as she walked around her room trying to find her uniform and a change of fresh underwear.
"You were having a nightmare and in the end we fell asleep in your bed," Aido said crawling out of her bed giving up on sleeping. Hunter picked up a white uniform jacket that didn't belong to her, eyeing it like a foreign weird looking parasite. "It's mine," Kain said taking it from her and putting it on. "Where are my clothes?" Hanabusa asked looking around the room. "Hell if I know," Hunter growled picking up a skirt.
"Now, now, calm down," Kain said placing his hands on her shoulders. "You're supposed to act like a lady today, remember?" He asked reminding her of the challenge.
"FUCK!" She cursed remembering. Akatsuki put his index finger over her lips. "Shh, ladies don't curse," he said. Hunter growled annoyed. "So much for acting like a lady today when you just made me out to be a whore," she growled as she picked up some clothes. That was harsh but true. A "lady" should never be caught in a situation like this with a guy between her legs and moaning.
"If you're going to act like a lady, first you need to go shower," Kain said shoving her out the door and pointing towards the bathroom down the hallway. Hunter glared at him muttering incoherent curses under her nose.
"Second," Hanabusa began as he pulled his jacket back on, "a lady does not have a foul mouth."
Hunter jumped into the shower and hurried through the routine knowing that if she took her time she'd be late for her first class. When she walked out, Aido looked her over and shook his head. "Third, darling, a lady should look like one too," he said as he grabbed a brush and straightened the wet mess she called her hair. He then dried it for her, adding few styling products to make it shiny and softer than the finest silk.
Next Kain buttoned up her shirt properly and tied the red bow for her. He found it amusing that she wore her uniform just like he did but today she wasn't going to. Not if she was going to live up to her words.
"Now, if you're to act like a lady today, I think it'd be best if you just follow the basics," Kain said as he fixed her collar and Aido tied her boots. "All you need to do is be polite, say 'please' and 'thank you,' address him using the proper honorific, keep your tongue clean, sit straight, be neat, no glaring, no forward actions, just be very demure and polite. If you just follow these you should be okay." He explained as he took a step back and eyed her overall look.
There was a bruise on her neck showing where his fangs dug into her skin when he bit her. He readjusted her long hair making it cover the bruise. Now she looked like a lady. "So what would be the proper honorific to address him with?" She asked feeling uncomfortable in this getup.
"I think 'Kiriyuu-san' is good," Aido said after a two-second thought. Hunter took in a deep breath and braced herself for the day. "Okay, I think I can do it." She said and headed out the door.
* * * * * *
"Good morning, Kiriyuu-san," Hunter said with a small bow. Zero eyed her curiously then gave her a small nod, "morning."
Ah, she remembered what she said last night, he thought, but that still doesn't help what happened this morning. He was feeling awkward around her as her moan still echoed in his mind. It told him that his intuition was right and there was something between her and Akatsuki. Yet why did it bother him? He thought that there was something between them and this morning proved him right. It shouldn't bother him. There was absolutely no reason why it should. Unfortunately it still gnawed at him.
He turned on his heel and began walking towards their classroom. Hunter glared daggers at his back as she bit down on her tongue to keep herself from blurting out angry curses. She hated this "lady" thing. Zero's behavior didn't help her at all either. Why she said she could act like a lady back then was beyond her. Her neck still throbbed from the little "love bite" Kain gave her this morning. Vampire bastard, she cursed mentally, I may be pathetic for a werewolf but hell hath no fury like a woman scorned you fucker.
Zero's back tensed as he felt a murderous aura behind him. He knew it belonged to Hunter. I wonder who's she killing mentally now, he wondered, hoping it wasn't him. Knowing his luck though, he figured it was him she was killing in her head. After all, he did walk in on her and Akatsuki. What was worse, Aido Hanabusa was on her bed half naked as well. Was there something between them too?
They walked into their class taking their usual seats. He eyed Hunter from her peripheral vision as she sat properly – like a lady would. Her notebook was neatly laid out in front of her and for once she wasn't gnawing on her pen like a teething pup. She caught him staring at her and glanced his way, a small smile gracing her lips. In the morning light she looked like an angel, all traced of the murderous aura gone. It was a surreal sight. He turned away, not liking what he was thinking.
* * * * * *
The day continued on as he silently and intently studied Hunter and her new behavior. It was as if he was looking at another person and not her. Who was this girl? Did she secretly have a twin and switched with her overnight?
The bell rung signaling it was the end of yet another period and time for lunch. Normally Hunter would be piling her stuff together but this time she was neatly putting things away. A student from their class came up to her, fumbling with his fingers.
"E-excuse me, Hunter-san, I-I'd like you to have this," he said handing her a small white box wrapped in a pink ribbon. Hunter looked at him slightly taken aback then smiled warmly. You have to say 'please' and 'thank you,' rang Kain's words in her head. "Thank you," she said taking the gift from the brunette boy. Zero recognized him as their sempai who's been staring down Hunter in their class since day one. He thought the guy was actually creepy. The normal Hunter would look at him weird and walk away, he thought.
The guy blushed and fumbled with his uniform. "U-um, w-would you like to join m-me for lunch?" He asked her stuttering. Hunter looked at him a bit shocked. That bastard! She thought. My back's already aching like a bitch from having to sit properly all damn day and now you've got the audacity to ask me to go out to lunch with you?! Just because I accepted your gift doesn't mean I like you! She ranted mentally.
Zero felt her angry aura flare up and was dead sure she was going to abandon her lady act.
Be polite, Kain's words rang in her head once more. Cringing mentally, she bowed down slightly. "My apologies, unfortunately I have prior engagements I must attend to," she said in an even voice, trying to sound genuinely apologetic. Her words shocked Zero. She's really taking this seriously, isn't she? He wondered. The guy looked at Hunter taken back by her behavior and then looked at Zero. Their eyes met briefly and a shiver went down his spine. "A-ah, that's okay," the guy said nervously. "I-I'm sorry for troubling you," he said with a bow then turned on his heel.
Was my acting that bad? Hunter wondered as her eyes followed the retreating student's back. She looked down at the white box and shoved it into her jacket. There was no way she could throw it out with everyone around. It'd ruin her act.
"So what 'prior engagements' must you attend, Hunter?" Zero asked sarcastically without looking at her, knowing she said it to get rid of that guy. Damn it! I knew he was going to call me out on it! Hunter grumbled in her head. Thinking fast, she pinched her cheeks to make it look as if she was blushing.
Not hearing an answer, Zero turned around to look at her. "I-I always eat lunch with you, Kiriyuu-san," Hunter said blushing as she avoided his gaze shyly. For the first time since he has known her he actually thought she was cute. Shocked, he turned away from her. "I see," he said and began walking. Score! He fell for it! Hunter thought as she followed him quietly, slouching her shoulders to ease the stiffness from them.
"What do you want to eat?" Zero asked her turning around. Startled she automatically straightened herself and resumed her façade. "A salad," she lied. Normally she'd be going rabid saying she wants an extra rare steak with blood. Zero smirked, "a salad it is."
Hunter sat properly regardless of the pain that was shooting through every part of her body as she ate the disgusting salad. I'm a carnivore damn it! I don't eat grass! She thought angrily as she chewed on her food, trying to hide her disgust. She glanced at Zero as he dug into his sandwich, definitely enjoying her misery. The scent of lunch meat wafted over to her, making her want to jump him and steal his sandwich. I can't lose, she reminded herself mentally as to why she was eating a salad and not meat.
When lunch ended, Hunter wanted nothing more than to vomit. No more salads! Ever! I'll kill someone before I eat another salad ever again! She vowed as she followed Zero. The rest of their classes flew by and she truly enjoyed the ones she didn't have with him. In those she acted as her usual self.
Zero was now walking her to her room as usual before he would be off on his Perfect duties. When they reached her room she secretly pinched her cheeks again for the fake blush. He turned around to look at her only to look away when he saw her blushing face. "Thank you for walking me," she said shyly. I hope you enjoyed today you bastard, she added mentally.
She needs to stop doing that, it's actually cute, he thought looking away. Then he remembered – she was supposed to cook him dinner tonight as well. Was he going to get food poisoning? Or was she going to pull it off? No, she'll probably put actual poison in the food, he thought. Either way, it was part of the challenge.
Placing one hand on the wall not too far from her head, he took hold of her chin with his other one, placing it between his thumb and index finger and leaned in close as he did so. "It was my pleasure," he said in a quiet voice. I think he likes you, echoed Kain's voice in her head. Zero's words brushed her lips and the proximity made her blush for real this time. "I'll be looking forward to dinner tonight," he added and let her go. Hunter stood there shocked dead still as he walked away. I'll be looking forward to dinner tonight…his words echoed in her mind as the feel of his breath lingered on her lips. Dinner! She remembered and yanked open the door to her room.
Scrambling, she changed as fast as she could then ran downstairs to the kitchen. "What was it that he said he liked?" She wondered aloud as she rummaged through the refrigerator. Noticing all the fresh vegetables she remembered: vegetable soup.
"Damn, I don't know how to cook that…." She said staring at the vegetables. Looking around the kitchen she saw a phone and a light bulb went off in her head. Sister Katherine! She yanked the phone off its cradle and dialed the number the nun gave her in a case of an emergency. To Hunter this was an emergency.
Ring, ring, ring…the phone rang. With each unanswered ring her anxiety grew.
"Hello?" Sister Katherine answered.
Finally! Hunter thought relieved. "Sister Katherine! It's me, Hunter!" She greeted the nun.
"Oh my, Hunter? Is something wrong?" The nun asked wondering what was so urgent about the girl's tone.
"Yes! I need help! I don't know how to cook vegetable soup!" Hunter wailed into the phone. Sister Katherine burst out in laughter.
"Hey! Shut up! This is a serious matter!" Hunter growled into the phone. "I-I'm sorry," the nun croaked out between laughs. "I just never thought you'd be calling me to ask how to cook something, are you trying to impress someone special to you?" she asked the young girl.
The incident from ten minutes ago with Zero flashed before her eyes making her blush. "N-no!" she yelled into the phone. "It's a challenge and I can't lose!" She added fiercely. "Ah, I should have expected that, well do you have a pen and some paper?" Sister Katherine asked. Hunter scrambled for a piece of paper and a pen.
When she was ready, the nun told her the recipe for the vegetable soup. Hunter wrote it down verbatim and thanked Sister Katherine before she hung up.
"Now….chop up the vegetables….add this…add that…cook this long…okay! I think I can do it now!" She said optimistically and pulled out a large butcher knife. Washing the vegetables she dried them with a paper towel just like the nun instructed her to then started chopping away like a madman…or mad woman in this case.
"I can do this, I can do this, I can do this," she chanted as she cut her fingers yet again. "Damn!" she cursed as she licked the blood clean. There were several cuts on her fingers already and not even half the vegetables diced the way they're supposed to be. They weren't healing since she was in her human form. She'd have to go wolf in order to heal them within seconds, unfortunately she didn't know how to change on her own will.
Hunter resumed dicing the vegetables and cut herself again, this time deep. Yanking the hand back and away from the knife she knocked over some metal pots. They clanked loudly on the tile floor.
Having finished his Perfect duties early, Zero heard a crash in the kitchen. He figured Hunter was trying to cook. Feeling curious, he decided to peek at what she was doing to cause this racket. When he peeked in through the door he saw her standing there in the Chairman's pink apron with her hands bleeding and a mess of pots and vegetables around her.
"God damn it!" she cursed loudly tearing off the apron. "I can't do this!" she yelled throwing the butcher knife towards the door.
The knife barely missed Zero's head as it lodged itself deeply in the wooden door. That was close, he thought as he eyed the large piece of steel. He took another glance at her bloodied hand and felt as if he pushed her too far. Should have stopped at the first part of the challenge.
He pulled the knife out of the door. "That was dangerous," he said handing the knife back to her. Hunter glared at him briefly then turned away. "Show me your hand," he told her. She glanced at him over her shoulder then reluctantly gave him her hand. Controlling his bloodlust, he pulled her towards the sink and washed off the blood to give him a better look at the damage.
In total there were four cuts on her fingers. The deepest one was on her index finger and was still bleeding. "You should be more careful," he said and lifted her hand to his lips, licking the wounds clean. Hunter noticed his eyes turn a bright crimson as he did so but her cuts began closing immediately. When he was done she cradled her tingling hand in her other one and looked away.
"Don't worry about making that soup for me," he said as he ruffled her hair. Hunter looked at him quizzically. "You already lost the challenge anyway," he added with a smirk.
"What do you mean I lost?" she asked confused. She really thought she was doing well.
"I heard you cuss like a sailor before I came in here. Ladies don't have foul mouths," he replied turning away from her, a small smile gracing his lips that he didn't want her to see.
Hunter growled clenching her fists. "You bastard! That was cheap! I didn't know you were there!" she yelled at him waving her fist angrily in the air. Back to normal, he thought trying to hide his relief.
In truth, he realized he preferred the usual Hunter. Yes, he thought she was cute when she was being shy and blushing, but the lady act really didn't suit her well. Nope, not at all.