Can't believe I was gone so long. Sorry. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own VK.
Kaito knocked at the door. Three sharp raps. No response. He tried turning the door knob. It opened. Stepping inside and closing the door, he said, "Cross, are you home?" No reply. He walked further into the house. "I didn't intend to intrude, but you left the door unlocked." It was unwise to not lock it. This was a school, so maybe Cross felt it was safe. Kaito shook his head. The man built a school where vampires and humans attended. Whatever the definition of safe for headmaster Cross it was questionable.
Walking into the living room Kaito found Yori on a couch near one of the windows. Outside the sun had set. The sky already darkening as the night descended. Despite the dim lighting the lights were not on. Yori held a book in her hands, lost in its contents. Flicking the light on he said, "You'll ruin your eyesight." He stopped a few feet in front of her.
Yori lifted her head disoriented by the sudden light and voice. Seeing Kaito, she set aside her book and got up. Lifting her arms and arching her back for a good stretch after sitting so long, she said, "I was going to turn on the light as soon as I finished the chapter. If you are looking for the headmaster he's not home."
"What about Zero, or Ichiru?" he asked.
"They are out too. I can let them know you were here."
Since returning Kaito waited for an opportunity to meet Yori in private. This was it. Unable to think of an adequate thing to say he simply stared intently. She said nothing. Not until the moment became too long and no words followed. She raised her eyebrows at him expectantly, signaling he ought to speak. Silence remained and she considered his return only two days ago. Maybe he needed to tell her some other news from the Hunter's Association. After that he moved his lips as if to speak, but instead stayed quiet.
"Is something the matter?" Yori asked, at last.
Kaito stepped closer. He brought up his hands. He placed his right on her shoulder firmly while his left palm hovered over her cheek. Yori startled at the action, but didn't move away. She looked him in the eyes, waited for what might come next. Frowning at her he brought his hands to the same area: her neck. He broke eye contact as his hands encircled her throat. Leaning down, he said quietly, "You should defend yourself when you are obviously in danger."
"Is that why you were awkward this whole time? I am your enemy?" she asked.
Kaito removed his hands turning his back on her. Annoyed he muttered, "I'm just like that old man."
Yori wanted to know what Kaito's actions meant, but his words grabbed her attention. "What old man?"
Looking at her Kaito felt relief. The whole time he was gone he thought about what the mystery pureblood had said. He was not capable of harming Yori. He knew this and told himself, but wondered whether he was able to do it if it was ordered by H.A. He knew the answer indefinitely now. While training a comfortable closeness was established. At least, he assumed. Neither he nor she said a word on the subject. Not that it was necessary. It was perceivable. She bid him a good farewell. For his part, though he had yet to show it, he was on her side.
He was aware her presence affected him. He had not only thought of his dilemma with the pureblood's query. It was also unbidden memories that came to him about her during breaks in his work. Zero and Ichiru, including Yagari might be called friends of his. More like long time acquaintances, Kaito thought. Plus the relationship was rockier, rougher in his mind. Yori elicited a warm, soft caring in him. She's terribly close to being a friend if she isn't already, he thought, struck forcefully by it.
Here, face to face with Yori, having moved to see if he was able to hurt her, he found the words for what she was to him. Along with it was his attraction to her, which he should not tell her about. She was dating Kuran. She liked Kuran. He did not want to cause a rift in their potential friendship by making any kind of romantic love declarations.
"Yagari," he answered. The old man had his reasons for why he should not date, or try to be with Yori. Sure, he didn't have romantic feelings for her, but he didn't lack excuses for turning her down. The old man was crazy and stupid. And Kaito thought, I am too. Not that the situation was the same. Suppressing the desire to sigh, Kaito said, "By the way you're not my enemy. You're actually the opposite. I just needed to confirm something."
Yori smiled wryly. It was heartening to hear she was not an enemy. There were many things Kaito did not accept; such as a vampire and human dating. She was confused by the mention of Yagari. What she did understand: Kaito was troubled. Perhaps he'd let go of some of those troubles now. His body was stiff at the start of this weird situation. After moving away and facing her again his stance was relaxed, shoulders at ease. She asked, "Did you confirm it?"
Kaito nodded. "Let's sit and talk for a while. What has happened while I was not here?" He hoped talking eased the weird tenseness he created through his actions. The last time they spoke to each other casually seemed long ago—ridiculous because it was sometime before leaving. Yori was unreserved in asking questions that were past the border of inappropriate at times. The inappropriate, he noted, showed up when she was worried about something personal. He hoped to be amused by that inappropriateness in their conversation.
Moving to sit, Yori said, "Well, you already know Aido had to cross dress to guard me. It was nice to have him around. Kaname sometimes visited."
He heard about all this from Zero, Ichiru and headmaster Cross. Some he discovered personally upon his arrival. "Are you nervous about the upcoming ball?" Kaito asked. He scowled in displeasure hearing himself.
"A little, but we are all getting together to take dancing lessons," Yori said.
That sounded like a dubious idea. It was not difficult to waltz. The vampires must know how to slow dance. These dancing lessons were probably for fun. The words left his mouth faster than his brain could catch up to halt them. "When and where are you going to do it?" Kaito asked.
Yori didn't even blink in question at him. She said, "Tonight. Right here at the headmaster's home. I've thought about it and there is not going to be enough people to pair off evenly. Want to join us?"
His stomach felt odd when she invited him and his face felt hot as he said, "I'll go."
"Great. We'll have so much fun. Do you know how to dance Kaito?" she said.
"I know a bit. If it's like usual it won't be a problem," he said. Before Yori was able to reply there was a knock at the door. It was the two vampires that had delivered his message. It cost him a lot too; a year's supply of Pocky. They entered the room bearing various stuff. Behind them were Aido, Yuki and Ruka. Choosing to be polite Kaito stood to greet them swiftly then took a seat again. Aren't they too early? he thought.
Just as he thought it, Yori said, "You're early."
Ruka replied, "No. We came to dress you and make you look stunning."
Yuki rushed to Yori, embracing her. "We hardly get to spend time together, so I came. Aido insisted on coming along despite having you to himself for a month and a half."
Aido crossed his arms, frowning. He said, "I'm the one who told you Rima and Shiki were going to see Yori." Yuki, prepared to retort, but Aido spoke first. "I know you miss her. I do too, even after only a couple of days." That calmed Yuki.
It gladdened Yori to have her friends visit. Dressing in formal attire was nice, fun even. However, recalling her shopping adventure with Rima and Shiki made her feel the exhaustion of that day. The thought of another impromptu fashion show caused her to wince. Catching Kaito's cool stare at everyone, she said, "Did you bring any tuxedos? Kaito is joining us."
Yuki shook her head as Shiki said, "No." Having set all his items down, he sized up Kaito. He motioned for him to stand and circled him. "I can't improve his appearance anyway. This outfit is fine. Oh, Rima and I got our Pocky yesterday," Shiki said. He grabbed a big pack of Pocky lying on top of the stuff they brought, taking a smaller pack he offered it to Kaito. Slightly annoyed since it came out of his own pocket he shook his head to decline.
"Never mind your clothes. The only person getting a wardrobe change is Yori," Ruka said.
"Why are you here? Only one person is required to get dressed. To be specific Yori can do that herself. Fancy or not," Kaito said. He asked because he didn't understand. What possible reason could there be?
Everyone, excepting Aido and Yori who turned to Ruka, looked at him. Aido concurred and Yori hoped Kaito's question meant no repeat of her outing with the two models. Lifting her chin in defiance, shoulders back, Ruka pointed to Rima, Shiki and herself as she spoke. "She is doing makeup. He is handling the wardrobe. I am styling Yori's hair." Belatedly she inclined her head toward Yuki, "She begged to come."
"Hey! You did too," Yuki said. "Besides it was my idea to dance and set up a romantic mood."
Kaito rubbed his eyes. Ruka made her point finely. He still felt a person was able to take care of all that themselves. However, he was a man. Makeup wasn't part of his dressing routine. Suits didn't take much time to select and hair didn't take long either. He accepted her explanation and didn't dare argue against it. His thought scattered hearing Yuki. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Yuki opened her mouth to answer, but Ruka covered it with her palm. She glared in distrust at Kaito. Yuki caught her look and understood. Not remotely suspicious of him Rima said, "Yori asked Aido for advice."
Shiki nodded. "Her exact question was 'what gets you in the mood?'"
Yuki interjected, "We all brainstormed ideas for Yori to seduce Kaname because he won't touch her."
"And your idea was dancing?" Kaito asked her. Yuki nodded in earnest. She beamed with pride. He was in danger of laughing at her grand idea. Exhaling and inhaling deeply he turned aside in his seat. Not only that. Yori proved his observation. He asked Aido, "What did you answer her?"
The blond vampire's face flushed in apparent embarrassment. "I didn't," he managed to say in obvious discomfort.
"He started choking when she asked him," Shiki said.
"I was eating breakfast and of all things I didn't expect her to ask me that," Aido said in defense. Kaito laughed then. It was a quick, short chuckle. It was Yuki's idea, Yori's question, and Aido's reaction. He said to Aido, "Expect similar improper questions in future conversations with Yori." Kaito did not miss everyone's eyes fixed on him. Turning to Yuki, he said, "Dancing is too light a method to turn someone on, but it works for romance."
Yuki smiled, taking his comment as a compliment. Ruka didn't, and said "What is your genius advice then?" Rima and Shiki put a word in as they decided to get to work.
"Not genius advice. My suggestion is simple. Be direct and tell your lover exactly what you want. Don't tiptoe around it by euphemizing either," Kaito said. Yuki's eyes widened in wonder. Easy to guess what she was thinking. "Go ahead and try it on Zero."
She blushed. "Isn't that advice for Yori? I mean, when Ruka offered advice it was not for me."
Ruka said, "That's not true. Your relationship isn't in trouble."
"No, but I still want the advice. As soon as I can I'm trying it, Kaito."
Shiki set dresses against Yori's body beginning the task he came here for. Rima opened her makeup case and waited for him to select tonight's dress. The dresses were from the shopping excursion. From where he was standing, he said, "In that case, I'll tell you the advice I gave Yori."
"You were there?" said Kaito, realizing he was the one who reiterated Yori's question.
Rima said, "We arrived at the cafeteria bearing your message and heard."
"I suggested sexual harassment until your boyfriend gives in to his need," Shiki said.
Aido said, "You may as well say yours Rima."
The dress selected was pink, satin and tulle. Yori was enjoying the conversation. She hurried to put it on. She managed to hear Rima's words, as she walked to her room, the conversation growing faint. "…hint with words and make body gestures…"
The ruffled edges of the dress reached her knees. It was strapless, leaving her shoulders bare. The neckline hinted at a heart-shape, a band hugged at the waist a flower in the middle. Heading back she peered into the living room. She waved to Rima. The girl came to her. "Could you pull the zipper up for me?" Yori asked her.
Kaito was talking. "It's all creative advice. I think some of it was meant to shock you and not to be taken seriously." His eyes locked on Aido he motioned with his head in the direction of Shiki and toward Rima's empty seat.
Entering the room together Rima motioned for her to sit next to her. She picked pink lip gloss for the lips to draw the eye. She forewent eye shadow. The nails were painted with a clear pink nail polish.
"I think your friend Takuma also joked, but perhaps not," Kaito was saying.
Ruka muttered, "Definitely not. It wasn't funny." She clenched her fists wanting to hit Takuma just from thinking about it. Settling her narrowed gaze on Yori her ire left her. "When Kaname sees you he is going to be speechless," she remarked.
"If he doesn't react to your heightened beauty then my brother is crazy," Yuki said. Nodding, wordlessly the others agreed unanimously.
Last Rima placed a wide white gold bangle and three thin silver ones on her right wrist. Shiki placed a pair of low, black sandals at her feet. Slipping them on Yori felt a sliver nervous excitement. Ruka considered Yori's hair while the others cleared the room to make space for dancing. The leftover unused dresses and other items were taken back to the Moon dorms. Ruka curled the ends and left it down. She added a plain clear clip on her left to pull a portion her hair back.
"There you're ready," Ruka said stepping back to admire Yori. They heard the knock at the door, the third today. "Let them in," she said to Yuki.
No Kaname this chapter, but no worries. He is in the next one.