~A Vampire Knight Side Story Part V~

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters

~Toga Yagari's pov~

That look they exchanged was his cue to leave. It was clearly getting more personal than necessary and it was starting to piss him off. He lit up another cigarette, the ends of the previous two now unceremoniously decorating the concrete outside.

A cold wind picked up a little as he watched Cross leave the building he himself had abandoned a few minutes ago for some peace of mind, though that wasn't exactly happening. Toga had expected the kitten to be following closely behind, but the distinct black leather jacket and equally black hair were nowhere in sight.

Perhaps she'd scared Cross away once again, though it would be for the best. The man shouldn't have even survived this long, much less look as if he were still in his mid-thirties, but no one had the heart to explain Cross's seemingly inability to age to the younger hunters. Sure, everyone could sense the higher amount of vampire DNA, but the Association deemed it an even lesser priority to tell the others after Cross left.

Toga had always been a good friend and comrade to Cross, but he didn't know what to do whenever Yaiba got involved. They'd been an effective trio in the past, but there was always that line he and Cross had silently drew. Given their pasts, neither of them were a good match for her, and they always looked out for the youngest member of their team.

But was deflection really the answer? Surely there was some other way to dissuade her from having any feelings for him. Some way to salvage the easy friendship they'd always shared? Cross had successfully rejected her and didn't look as if he had any doubts. Sure, there was that moment back in the room, but Cross wouldn't dare trying anything with Yaiba.

Toga could really care less about what other people thought about him, but he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he got when she glared at him. She'd leered at him from time to time under the guise of a glare, but she'd never really full on glared at him with such disdain until last night. He didn't regret letting the woman out of his room at that moment, but he was worried about the way Yaiba looked. She was obviously exhausted and not in the mood to be bothered, but he just had to prod her like he had so many times before.

Only this time, his manner had been too serious. He wanted to give off that playful tone he always used with her, but he'd gotten suspicious of where she'd been. That, and he didn't want to use the usual tactics in case it ignited her feelings for him again. They were partners and long time friends, and he didn't know how to uncomplicate things. He couldn't handle an actual relationship, and a one night stand was impossible since they'd always have to see each other. How could he make her understand?

"What are you doing?"

The cigarette fell out of Toga's mouth as he swung his shotgun up and met the eyes of his apprentice. "Looking for trouble, Zero?"

"No. Just wondering why my all-knowing teacher looks like a vampire is sucking the life out of him."

"Something's getting sucked out of me, but it sure as hell isn't a deadbeat vampire's doing. Now beat it. Don't you have someone you're supposed to be training with?" Toga raised an eyebrow as he lowered the shotgun, already having threatened to shoot the kid enough times over the past few weeks. But hey, maybe the actual shot to Zero's shoulder wasn't enough. He had a soft spot for the kid, but Zero had been spiralling into some dark times as of late and he wouldn't hesitate to put his apprentice down if there was any danger.

"Kira's been out riding that horse of hers since early morning because a certain English teacher hasn't been around. But knowing her, she'll be back soon to plague me about getting to class on time." Zero turned to walk away, and Toga knew the kid would be alright. After all, Zero had two strong female influences to whip him into shape. Toga sighed and tipped his hat back to look up at the sky while he walked away, knowing very well he'd have to face his own certain female partner sooner or later.

xxxx

~Yaiba Surudoi's pov~

I spread my hands out on Kai's desk, trying to sort through the jumbled thoughts in my head. Kai seemed like the loneliest man in the world sometimes, and I understood it was probably for good reason since he lost that pureblood from the past. Toga, however, didn't have any excuses. The man was practically an open book, aside from how he lost his eye. He'd put a hand over it sometimes, as if it were in pain, and there had to be more of a story there than just "I lost it protecting a student of mine".

Sighing in frustration, I left the office to head to my class early. Earlier, Kai had been so gentle. What did he have to apologize for? Rejecting me in the past? Not being able to return my feelings? Was he interested in me now? After all this time, and all the effort I put into keeping it friendly and professional, was he finally feeling something for me?

And if he did feel something for me, did I still feel something for him? Sure, he was attractive back in the office with his hair down and glasses off, but he'd changed over the last few years. His personality and wardrobe choices had changed. He was no longer the sexy, serious vampire hunter, he was now an adoptive father with a confounding eccentricity and the Headmaster of an Academy that taught both humans and vampires. Was it just a mask for Yuki and Zero?

I rubbed the temples on my head, refusing to resort to having a cigarette, now a bit wary that it might remind me of the Cyclops. Well speak of the devil. As I headed outside I saw him in the distance walking toward his class as well and slowed down my pace. No need for unnecessary confrontations. But seeing him brought even more questions to my head.

Did I seriously even like him after the way he treated me? Did he have a real excuse for rejecting me? Surely, the only two men I ever had feelings for couldn't just reject me without a valid reason. Or maybe they thought I was too young, but they both looked to be in the middle of their thirties and an age difference of around ten years certainly wasn't too bad.

I'd known Kai for seven years and he was still a mystery to me. I'd known Toga for four years and thought I knew him. And then it hit me. After all this time of hunting with them, we'd never really talked much about our pasts. It was always light banter and mission conversation. Sure, I knew their habits now, both hunting and social. But was that enough to say that I truly knew them?

Finally outside of the classroom, I silently walked in and sat down in the chair next to the door to wait out the rest of Toga's lecture. Drained and in dire need of a little bit more rest, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall...

Writer's Note: I profusely apologize for not having updated for so very long! I've just gotten to a point where I have some time again to write, and I'm hoping to update this story each week from now on to make up for such a long time. For anyone who is still following, thank you so much! And for all of you who review after this, I hope to give you some feedback now (and for all who have reviewed so many years ago, I wouldn't want to bother you since it's been so long). Thank you so much for reading and I hope you like this newest chapter of Torn Between!