Disclaimer: I don't own VK.

Chapter 6

Gazing at the dark red Chinese silk dress, Sayori sighed. It was of no help. Yagari and the others would find her attire suspect. It was one of the many beautiful dresses Yuuki had bought for her. The neck was high hiding the mark Kaname gave her, the hem a little past the knee, and cut high at the sides with gold trimming. It exposed all of her side just below her underwear. For that reason she wore tights. Mainly she was concerned with her inner turmoil. At least there would be time for reprieve with summer vacation starting soon.

As she said goodbye to Yuuki it was not missed that she wore one of her gifts. It was the only piece that she would accept despite her friend's insistence that she take all of it. Yuuki let Yori have her way with an odd glance and knowing smile. When Sayori picked the dress it had reminded her of the blue kimono. Only because of the silk, everything else was a contrast. She didn't know that it and a few other articles of clothing were selected by Kaname. It amused him to have her hide his mark with his dress. His eyes followed her while she refused to turn her eyes in his direction.

Last night Kaname had acted as he had because he wanted Yori to be very aware of him just as she was now. After all, he couldn't change her heart by doing nothing. Yuuki asked her, "Where will you spend the summer?"

"Not far from here. There's a place close by where I'll be training with Takamiya-sensei," she said. Before leaving with Takamiya, at the entrance Yuuki pushed a bag into Yori's hands. Shrugging she took it.

It was while packing that Yagari came to visit Yori. At the meeting when Kaname revealed her secret crush Yagari-sensei had remained aloof. She waited for him to speak. Looking as serious and handsome as ever, he said, "About what Kaname said yesterday I can't accept your feelings."

Sayori nodded, forcing herself to smile. She had suspected he would reject her. That was why she never would have told him. Watching him turn to leave, she felt her eyes water. The door closing behind him she locked it. She couldn't deny her sadness, or her frustration, so she cried in silence. Later she'd be able to put on a normal face, but first she needed to let it out.

Arriving at the house where she'd be training Takamiya got right to the point. He explained that each hunter had a weapon of their choosing, or several, but it was more convenient to have a main one. She was no longer allowed to hunt. Still she needed to hone her self-defense skills. It was HA's behest that she select a weapon and be trained by Takamiya. Guns, knives, staff, etc. the selection was vast. "Swords?" she queried.

Kaito considered that. It wasn't a bad choice except they would be difficult to hide in the school uniform. Perhaps she'd change her mind if she tried using different weapons before settling on a particular one. Going about it Takamiya found out that Sayori was dexterous in handling the sword. If she was set on swords, that could be arranged.

"What is it to be?" he asked. Her mind was elsewhere. He had noted she was distracted throughout the entire process. He was slightly annoyed until she spoke.

"Have you ever been in love, Takamiya-sensei?" she asked with a distant look. It was a weird question since they weren't all that familiar. He didn't see the harm in answering, though. "No. Why?" He had an idea about the reason for asking. He didn't really care, but as a member of the Hunter's Association he was much obliged to encourage her inclinations toward Yagari. She was wavering, no doubt due to the vampire's confession. Maybe something more…

"But you've had sex, haven't you?" she said, getting too personal.

Takamiya said, "Yes. What exactly is bothering you?" He wanted her to get to the point.

"I'm confused. I like Yagari-sensei, so why does my body betray my heart?" she asked, turning to him.

His eyes slid down to her collar. He pinched the fabric between his thumb and index finger suggestively. "Love and lust are like a katana: double-edged. For example, I might fuck a woman because my body wants it, but I don't give her my heart. She may want it, but she only gets the body. Understand?" He let his words sink in. He muttered, "You're me in this case, sort of."

Those words gave her comfort and guilt. Kaname-san had been courageous in revealing his love and sexual desire to her. She had kept her feelings a secret. She nodded. "I get it," she said. He let go of her when the door behind her opened. Zero, Ichiru, and Yagari had long been at work training Sayori. It was only logical to continue using them.

Dazed, Sayori approached Yagari. Grabbing his jacket she pulled his face very close, their breath mingling, gazes locked on each other. It was only for an instant then she released him. She was going to move on for both their sakes. For a moment she wanted to make a move. That way she wouldn't be walking away without having acted on her feelings just once. However, there was no point in kissing him. She planned on getting over him. Her heart almost betrayed her mind this time. Quickly she excused herself.

"She almost…!" Ichiru began to say. Zero's arm on his shoulder stopped him. Ichiru didn't know why Yori liked their sensei. He was old and unpleasant.

"Yagari," said Kaito, grabbing their attention, "You have a mission, though you likely ruined it all ready."

Yagari grunted in response. "What is it?"

"You know." Kaito gave him the paper containing the head hunters' signature and commission. It was a concise order. In elegant writing it read: seduce and marry Sayori Wakaba.

"I can't accept this request," Yagari said, handing the paper back to Kaito as he made to leave.

"Do you really want to see Wakaba married to a beast? What we kill?" Kaito said, looking to the other two. Ichiru shrugged, not caring. He was dating Maria and his brother had become a vampire. It wasn't the best argument. Zero said, "If that is what she wants, yes."

Yori was sure of her choice. She'd give Kaname a chance. Takamiya-san had said if the heart wasn't involved in sex then it was just lust. She was not all that indifferent. Visiting Kana-chan was the only way. She was not nearby Kaname-san. She was resolute in telling him.

She returned to campus a bit early. The night class was still away. Takamiya-sensei had given her a katana. The blade's magical properties gave it a transformative look. Not being wielded it maintained a thin, smaller shape hidden under her uniform's jacket along her back. She wanted to show it to Kana-chan just this one time.

First she had to tell him she didn't reject him. Mustering up the nerve, she said to him, "Kana…Kaname, are you in love with me?" He stared at her without answering. She was distracted by a figure behind him. She barely managed to block the sword attack aimed at Kaname.

"You'll protect him?" asked the intruder. There was no time to answer. Whoever this person was held quite an ease with a sword and defending against it. Sayori kept getting nicks and cuts. One final clash of blades left her without a sword. The cloaked stranger kept the sword on her, taking a hold of her shirt. Leaning in to whisper, "We were nearly slaughtered for the same choice you are about to make."

Kaname watched the stranger gain the upper hand on Sayori. He didn't move afraid of what this person disguised in white, face hidden in folds of cloth might do to her. He couldn't hear the voice of the person, only Yori. "You may come to regret it as we did."

"I'd regret not doing it much more," she said, with labored breath. She regretted not doing more to save Juri and Haruka.

"In time should things become too much I'll return to free you from your burden. Till then I'll allow you to go ahead." The stranger vanished soon after those words. Kaname was beside Yori instantly. She was bleeding from various wounds. He feared she might die.

"I have to go back, but I won't die. Remember, I promised," she said trying to reassure him. He nodded, hoping she was right.

He whispered in her ear, "For a long time I've been in love with you." Then she was gone.

In her room again she scrambled to open the window. Her jump was not very graceful. She landed at a roll, coming to a stop splayed out on her back. Getting up her sight was unfocused, her legs shaky. Belatedly she noticed it was drizzling. She began to fall her tired body succumbing. She wouldn't reach help on time. Eyes closed, she gave a small smile. "I'm sorry I lied, Kaname."

She was caught before hitting the ground. "You've got the wrong name," she was informed. Completely knocked out she didn't hear it. "Moving fast to get the girl medical aid, he muttered, "Life is about to get more complicated for you, Wakaba-san."

Okay, that's it for now. Let me know what you think: Review. Thanks for reading.