Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Toya had just finished a long rant about all the stuff that happened last night and even added all the frightening stuff that could have happened before he had finally gotten it all off his chest. Now he was silent… too silent.

Kyoko sat next to Toya on the way back to town with her arms crossed over her chest and staring out the car window. She hated feeling like a child who had just gotten caught doing something wrong. What was making it worse was that everything he said was right.

“This isn’t my fault… you know,” Kyoko mumbled to herself as she watched Toya’s reflection in the window.

Her expression softened knowing it wasn’t his fault that any of this had happened either. All he had done was try to save her. Without looking toward him, she lowered one of her arms and laid her hand across his on the gearshift knowing he would take it as a silent apology.

Her anxiety completely faded as his thumb caressed the side of her palm.

“So, Suki stayed at your place with Shinbe last night?” she tried not to grin at the mere thought.

“Yeah, if it hadn’t been for Shinbe… we wouldn’t have found you two,” Toya remarked making a mental note to thank his best friend later. He smirked inwardly with the knowledge that at least Suki would be safe for a while because judging from the look in Shinbe’s eyes, his friend wasn’t going to let her out of his sight for the next couple of days, weeks or maybe even the next couple of centuries.

Kyoko barely noticed the scenery flying by as her mind tried to wrap around everything that took place the night before and how she’d ended up at Kotaro’s. Some of it she barely remembered. She recalled the run in with Yohji and his aggressive hands and the eerie little boy with white skin and hair… and very black eyes.

She suppressed the creepy shiver that came with the thought.

She also recalled the hauntingly handsome man with long white hair… she glanced sideways at Toya, wondering at the highlights that ran through his midnight hair. It had always been such a strange color but that guy shared that same silvery color.

It wasn’t the color of an old man’s hair…. It was like white silver melted down into soft silky strands. And those eyes… no one had eyes like that except Toya. Who was this man who had arrived at her apartment last night only to then take flight... for real? Was he some kind of stalker? Was he even human? She doubted it.

Toya’s gaze met hers in the reflection in the window. Kyoko’s lips parted as her heart pounded hard for a moment as if trying to tell her something. She listened as everything became completely silent… even her own heart. A soft voice from the past whispered across her soul, “Protect him.”

Sound returned as his gaze turned back to the road. Kyoko smiled softly wondering about her own imagination. Seeing his hand gripping the gearshift even tighter, she wrapped her fingers more snugly around his and felt the tension in his grip instantly ease.

‘Always,’ she silently answered the mysterious voice.

Somewhere far away … enchanted plants that still hid an unmarked grave bloomed another silver flower as if sealing the silent request.

Kyoko sighed softly, trying to sort out the questions in her head. The more she thought about it, the more confused she felt, so she decided for now… she would just not think about it. It wasn’t like it was getting her anywhere anyway.

There were other things to think about now, like getting to the college so she could pick up her books for the next semester. That would keep her out of trouble and studying would help to take her mind off all this weirdness.

Toya was still miffed about Kotaro taking Kyoko and stashing her away like some secret treasure. He wasn’t about to admit that he’d had the exact same idea. The fact that she hadn’t fought Kotaro very hard also grated on his nerves. He’d told the security guard repeatedly to stay away from her but the arrogant bastard ignored him constantly.

Feeling Kyoko’s soft hand on his eased his jealous thoughts. His mental bashing turned away from Kotaro as the image that mimicked his own reflection entered his mind.

What Toya didn’t tell anyone was of his own reaction to the silver-haired man the night before. The stalker had looked at him as if they knew each other and Toya did feel some sort of connection to the man but didn’t know what it was.

He had seen him before but it had been dreams… hadn’t it? Dreams and reality were two separate things… right? They came to a stoplight and Toya took a moment to ponder. He let his gaze wander for a moment and almost smiled at the city park off in the distance. What was it about that place that always seemed to calm him?

Toya closed his eyes for a moment and golden eyes appeared within his mind… staring straight into his as if trying to tell his soul something it had forgotten long ago. A small gasp escaped his lips when he saw blood and felt an incredible pain deep within his chest. Just as his nightly dreams often turned to nightmares… now his daydreams where doing the same.

The traffic light turned green but he didn’t see it as he tried to catch his breath.

Kyoko looked over and saw him leaning over the steering wheel. A fine sheen of sweat had broken out across his brow and he was grasping his chest.

“Toya, what’s wrong?” she demanded, suddenly scared. “Do you need to go to the hospital?” Quickly turning in the seat, she let go of his hand and reached out, laying it on his shoulder wanting to help… wanting his pain to go away.

“I’m fine,” he managed. “Just a muscle spasm.” Her hand on his shoulder felt so warm… so relaxing as if taking away the intense throbbing.

Toya growled when the car behind them honked its horn. With the pain now completely gone, he reached out his open window to give them the finger before shooting forward in traffic.

Kyoko held onto the door handle with one hand and the dashboard with the other in an attempt to keep her seat as the ride started to remind her of a game she had once played called ‘Poll Position.’ Regardless of his mood, he was definitely going to be mad at what she was about to say.

“Take me to the school,” she demanded knowing she would have to fight with him to get her way.

“What?” Toya yelled. “No way! You’re going home and that’s final.” His hand gripped the steering wheel as he felt Kyoko’s anger raise a couple of notches. He slowly took his eyes from the road to glance at her and flinched when he found himself nose to nose with her.

“WHO DIED AND MADE YOU MY DADDY?!” Kyoko yelled right in his face.

‘Damn she looked hot when she was pissed off…’ he blinked a couple of times before answering her. “It’s not my fault you need a protector!!” Toya's golden eyes pierced hers completely forgetting he was driving till he heard a horn blare right in front of him.

Both Kyoko and Toya cringed as he scrambled the car back to the lane he was supposed to be in, barely missing an oncoming 18-wheeler.

“I don’t know what to fear more… you’re driving or a man with fangs,” Kyoko tossed at him as she slumped in her seat starting to pout. “I need my school books before I go home, dummy.”

‘God, he can be so bossy sometimes…’ Kyoko whined to herself feeling like a five year old wanting a cookie and being told ‘NO!’

Toya’s knuckles turned white as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. He leaned forward and looked up at the sun noticing it was only around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Vampires couldn’t come out in the daylight… plus, he hated telling Kyoko ‘No’ even if it was for her own good.

Giving a sigh, he felt himself caving in… “But… err, fine… we’ll stop and get your books…” his words were cut off as she practically tackled him from the side.

Kyoko threw her arms around Toya with a smile lighting up her face. “Thanks!”

“Heh,” Toya muttered and tried paying attention to the road. Having Kyoko pressed up against him was bad enough to deal with, but to have it happen while driving was extremely satisfying and distracting.

Giving in to his most heartfelt desire for one brief moment; Toya placed his cheek against her hair and nuzzled into it, smelling the sweet scent that always seemed to calm his nerves. Sliding one arm around her and keeping the other hand on the steering wheel, he let his scattered thoughts relax.

It was as if they had been together for an eternity… as it should be.

They safely reached the college about ten minutes later and parked. Kyoko was out of the car and rushing to the college bookstore before Toya even had time to turn the car off.

Muttering curses under his breath, he quickly got out of the car and followed her. That was when he got a really good look at what she was wearing. His steps faltered for only a second then he was off after her.

A possessive growl crept up from Toya’s chest. He’d completely forgotten that she was still wearing her outfit from the club last night. But then again, he’d put her in bed fully dressed and she obviously didn’t have a chance to change before all the shit happened last night.

The vivid memory of lying in bed with her the night before played havoc on his mind. He paused in the doorway of the bookstore and grasped the door frame for a moment… lost in delicious thought.

Trying to clear his mind of the memory, he walked into the bookstore and found Kyoko over by the history section. She quickly located the book she was looking for before rushing off to the literature section. With a resigned sigh, he silently followed her around for a few minutes before she realized he was even there.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Kyoko breathed. “Here.”

Toya grunted when she shoved the books into his arms then glared as she ran off again. With another sigh, he followed. He nearly dropped the books he was carrying when Kyoko tossed a math book on top of the pile as though it were filled with germs from the Black Plague.

“Think you can be a little more careful?” he demanded loudly while he clutched the books before they toppled.

Kyoko looked at him apologetically. “I’m sorry Toya. I’ve got one more book to get then we’ll go to the cafeteria and grab a pizza. How’s that sound?” she bribed him knowing him long enough to know what worked and what didn’t.

Toya couldn’t help but smile. Damn if the woman didn’t know his ultimate weakness besides her… food! His eyebrow began twitching when he noted she had already scurried off for another book and left him holding the bag… or books.

***** Tasuki had tried to locate Kyoko. He had even gone by her apartment but she wasn’t there. He couldn’t find her anywhere and now he sat in the school cafeteria lost in his own thoughts… the main thought was to avoid his own kitchen.

“Steak tartar,” Tasuki twitched again at the thought of the raw meat marinating in its own blood. “That’s just gross.”

His thoughts were scattered until he heard Kyoko’s voice. All of his attention was suddenly fixed on the doorway and his breathing sped up as he waited.

Memories of the night before flooded him as Tasuki visualized the dance they had shared just a few hours before. Her body pressed against his… moving in the same rhythm as his. Amethyst color once again glowed within his irises. He felt like the sun had just let light back into his life as she appeared in the doorway of the school café… then he noticed the storm cloud behind her in the form of Toya ready to rain on his parade.

Tasuki sighed as his shoulders slumped. “This just isn’t my day.”

His glowing eyes followed her every movement… completely blocking out the hothead who shadowed her. ‘At least she’s alright…’ Tasuki thought to himself as his eyes roamed her body making sure Yohji hadn’t done any damage.

Kyoko rushed over to look into the glass beside the cash register. Seeing all the yummy food for sale, she bit her bottom lip trying to choose. She smiled when a man from the kitchen brought out a fresh pizza. “That! I want that.”

The old lady at the cash register asked her how many pieces she wanted. Kyoko shrugged telling her she wanted the whole pizza. Shaking her head at the size of the pizza but boxing it up anyway, the lady handed it to Kyoko who turned around with it and started to walk off.

She stopped mid-step turning her head toward Toya. “Toya,” Kyoko said with an all too sweet smile. “I don’t have any more money on me,” she tried for the best puppy dog look she could muster up.

Toya growled, “Why do I have to pay for it?”

She held the pizza to the side and walked up almost nose to nose with him. “It’s the least you can do after sneaking into my bed last night! NOW PAY FOR IT!” her voice grew louder with every word.

The old lady started coughing and Toya reached into his pocket mumbling, “It’s not like I got any or anything.” He tossed the shocked gray haired lady a couple of bills then took off after the girl with the pizza he had just paid for.

Deciding to show himself just to see if Toya had gotten any of his memories back yet, Kamui stood quietly in line unnoticed by the long haired young man that stormed past him after the girl that had made him pay for her lunch. ‘Nope… not even a flinch of acknowledgment.’

“Toya, you’ll never change will you?” The purple haired man whispered to himself with a smirk as he continued his surveillance of the couple. Just like old times.

Using his enhanced senses, Kamui searched for any unknown dangers lurking within the crowded room and his eyes narrowed as he detected the strangest vibes. His irises darkened from a sky blue to a deep ocean color then widened in confusion as they traveled toward the window seeing the sun still shining.

“Vampires? But its daylight,” he said under his breath.

Quickly paying for the food he had no intention of eating, Kamui headed for the table right behind one of the tainted auras. He should have known it would be him. Last night Kyoko had called this boy Tasuki and they had seemed to be longtime friends. It would figure that he’d get messed up in this since the boy was Shinbe’s reincarnate… although no one knew it.

Last night the boy had been fine, but now… his aura was tainted with darker shadows. Kamui closed his eyes trying to look inside the boy’s soul. Within his mind’s eye, he could feel it… the purity within Tasuki’s now darkened soul was still strong and striving to remain in control.

Kamui rubbed his temple with this new fact. Soon one would override the other… for darkness and light within the same body would only lead to… His attention was taken when Kyoko stopped beside the boy’s table… followed by an even darker light than Tasuki possessed.

‘Toya will soon awaken…’ Kamui could feel the turbulence lying dormant just under the pulse of his long lost friend. Toya had been an innocent in the past… just like Tasuki. He had fought it even after the darkness had consumed him… fought it until the last breath.

Kamui’s hands had been tied then… just as they were now.

Those same hands curled into fists as he tried to think of a way to stop it from all happening again. He could not watch his friend’s soul be tortured for a second time as it battled the light within the darkness. He had already sent Toya warnings of what was to come by giving him dreams of the past.

He’d used his magic to bring Toya’s soul back to this world for a second chance and make sure that all the guardians were together once more. This time they would protect the only one that had the power to give Toya’s soul the chance it needed… and save all of them from the darkness Hyakuhei had brought to this dimension.

Kamui closed his eyes as he let the past sweep across his mind… not the past of this world but the past of many worlds. The bond of brothers had been severed within this dimension and the protectors of the Guardian Heart Crystal scattered. There was one thing still holding them all together… the priestess.

It would not do for Kotaro to find out… not yet. In this world, Kotaro did not live within the same darkness the vampire's heart does… he does not understand that even the purest of hearts does not often stand a chance with that kind of darkness. But Toya and Kyou had fought it anyway.

Kamui’s glittering eyes softened as he thought of his brothers. Even if his friend didn’t remember yet… he soon would. Toya had fought it and lost his own life trying to protect his brother. The same brother that now thrives on only vengeance. Even in this world, the true bond between the guardians couldn’t be fractured. After all… they shared slivers of the same soul.

Kamui clenched his teeth in frustration knowing he couldn’t tell them the truth… it wasn’t his truth to tell. He and Kotaro had been friends for over a thousand years in this world. But even Kotaro didn’t know the truth, not the whole truth anyway. Kotaro thought of him as a child just because he looked younger.

What would Kotaro think if he realized the boy was just as old as the man? The shadow on the floor behind Kamui cast from the sun’s strong rays through the windows showed his true form. A shadowy image of his widespread wings withdrew back inside him as he silently watched light and darkness mingle as if they were old friends.

***** Kyoko made her way past several tables littered with college students who were studying and eating before doing a ‘double take’ when she felt someone staring at her. Turning around to locate the familiar feeling, she found herself looking into Tasuki's soft eyes.

His gaze slid from her face to the arch of her neck when she turned her head and her hair moved across her shoulder, exposing it. He found himself admiring the soft skin there. Just as he noticed her attention was now on him, Tasuki lowered his eyes back to his hands that seemed to be clenched together in silent frustration on the surface of the table.

Kyoko’s brows lowered into a slight frown. Tasuki was sitting all alone and looking somewhat miserable. She suddenly felt bad thinking maybe his depression was because she’d disappeared from the club last night without even saying goodbye. Quickly putting on a bright smile, Kyoko stepped over to his table with the oversized pizza and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey Tasuki, mind if we join you?” she asked cheerfully. She had never seen Tasuki so … down before. She had known him since elementary school and many times, often after she had made a failing grade on a test, Tasuki would be the one to cheer her up. Kyoko’s expression softened with the thought. It was time to return that favor.

Tasuki looked up trying to shake the urge to once again glance at her neck. Instead he just smiled at her and nodded thankfully. Taking a whiff of the pizza she held in her hands, he immediately caught the scent of sausage, bacon, pepperoni and all the trimmings. He didn’t really care what was on it, he was suddenly starving and it just smelled so good.

“There’s no way Toya and I are going to finish this all by ourselves,” Kyoko said as she took a seat beside her longtime friend.

“Like hell!” Toya exclaimed suddenly feeling possessive of her… and the pizza. He didn’t like the way Tasuki was looking at Kyoko or the pizza that had just cost him a small fortune. “I’m hungry enough to eat a whole cow.”

“Moo,” Kyoko countered jokingly.

Toya sat down next to her, grinning lecherously. “Does that mean you want me to eat you?” His eyebrow lifted when he realized what that had sounded like and quickly looked away. ‘Where did that come from?’ he silently wondered trying not to cross his eyes.

Kyoko couldn’t control the blush that rose to her cheeks before she quickly deleted the fact that she had even heard it and turned her attention back to Tasuki. A dark aura seemed to grow around Tasuki's silent form. The spark of amethyst anger she could see in the boy’s normally calm brown eyes shocked her. What had caused such fury to rise up in such a gentle person?

Tasuki could feel his heartbeat thumping violently just underneath his skin, feeding the jealous rage that suddenly flowed through him at Toya’s perverse invitation. How dare that bastard talk in such a way in front of Kyoko?

Still sitting at the table behind them, Kamui could feel the boy’s rage surface and he quickly closed his eyes… whispering a strong spell to contain it. The last thing any of them needed was a pissed off half vampire showing his true colors for the first time. Unleashing such a power within the naive boy would cause complications in the crowded cafeteria.

Tasuki felt the dangerous emotion rush from his body and his pulse slowed back to a normal rate as his attention returned to Kyoko.

Now that the boy was once again under control, Kamui stuffed food into his mouth to stop himself from laughing at what had caused the jealousy in the first place. ‘Poor Toya… I do believe that is what we call, open mouth and insert foot… you wind up with athlete’s tongue.’ He snickered at his own rambling thoughts before returning his attention to their table.

“So, you want to share this with us?” Kyoko asked as the darkness slowly left his eyes.

Tasuki perked up. “I’d love to have a slice.” He answered politely deciding to ignore the arrogant man who sat so close to her. He wanted to ask what had happened last night but shame kept the topic from his lips. After all, it was his own fault he didn’t remember what happened and she seemed like she was in a great mood so it couldn’t have been very bad.

After sending a grumbling Toya after napkins and sodas, Kyoko passed them all a slice and took a very large bite of hers. Toya nearly dropped the drinks when Kyoko started moaning.

“So good,” Kyoko said around a mouth full of pizza. “Yum…” she licked sauce off one of her fingers and smiled. “…It’s even lickable.”

‘Good God!’ Toya thought to himself. ‘Doesn’t she have the faintest idea what that’s doing to me?’

Images of Kyoko, naked and writhing beneath him, surfaced within his mind. He suddenly pictured her covered in sweat with her hair sticking to her face, neck and breasts. Shaking the mental picture from his head, Toya bit into the pizza and had to admit it was very good.

Tasuki sat there slack jawed for a moment watching Kyoko. Little did he know that his thoughts were running on the same track Toya’s were. Mentally shrugging while trying to keep his jack-in-the-box erection under control, he bit into the pizza.

All sound and motion within the room had stopped as his world narrowed down to what he was eating. Without warning, his mouth started burning and he felt like he was going to be sick.

Kamui slapped his hand over his face in defeat knowing the pizza the boy had just bit into was covered in garlic. He could smell the herb all the way to where he was sitting. “Poor kid,” he whispered to himself. “I’d really like to help but you’re on your own on this one.” He was silently glad Toya hadn’t had any side effects… yet.

“Are you okay Tasuki?” Kyoko asked seeing him gulp for air. “You’re looking a little pale.” That was the understatement of the year, as all color seemed to drain from Tasuki’s face.

Unable to swallow the mouthful, instead of answering, Tasuki jumped up from the table and ran to the restroom.

“Wonder what got into him?” Toya inquired, taking another big bite of pizza as if he couldn’t care less. He reached for his drink and glanced around at the other tables. His gaze fell on another student with punked out hair and he frowned at the purple highlights.

Something in Toya’s mind clicked for just a moment. As if in a memory, he saw the same guy standing next to him on a dark riverbank. In the vision… the boy turned to him and Toya was staring into eyes of multicolored sparkles. He tried to shake it but the vision remained. The strangest feeling crept over him… as if he had known the guy his whole life and at the same time, didn’t have a clue as to who the hell he was.

Cold fingers of fate slowly trailed up his spine as he realized where he had seen the boy before… in his dreams. He almost choked on the pizza understanding that now two of the people from his dreams had stepped into his reality as if they were supposed to be there.

“Toya, what have I told you about actually chewing your food before you swallow?” Kyoko complained just knowing one of these days her friend was going to choke to death. She looked toward the boy’s restroom hoping Tasuki hadn’t done the same thing.

Toya tore his gaze away from the student and glared at Kyoko. “What do you care how I eat… at least I eat.” He gave a deadpan look, noticing she wasn’t paying him any attention.

He turned away from her and looked back towards the student. His eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the guy was gone. Bright rays of sunshine were streaming in the window, hitting the now vacant chair. He cocked his head slightly, breathing a sigh of relief.

For just the briefest moment, he thought he’d seen multicolored glitter floating in the sunlight.

***** Tasuki splashed water on his face after rinsing his mouth out from the bathroom tap. He could smell the garlic all around him and it was making him even sicker… if that was possible. He leaned toward the mirror, touching it as he stared in confusion at his own reflection, seeing how pale he was becoming.

“But… I normally like garlic?” Tasuki frowned at himself in the mirror wishing for mouthwash so he could get rid of the tangy flavor he all of a sudden hated.

Hearing the bathroom door open, his head snapped up to look in the mirror over his own shoulder. His warm brown eyes quickly change to a dark amethyst. ‘Yohji!’

Gripping the sink so hard his knuckles turned white, he felt his blood began to boil. He had seen what Yohji had been trying to do to Kyoko last night. Tasuki silently growled as more memories shot at him from some dark region of his mind.

Yohji’s oversized brother had hit him… hard, but he had still fought to get to Kyoko. Someone had grabbed him from behind, preventing it… who? Tasuki frowned. He remembered reaching for Kyoko as he felt himself being drug backwards, not really remembering much after that. All he could remember was a sting of pain then total darkness.

Unconsciously, his hand traveled up to rub his neck.

“Well if it isn’t the resident hero.” Yohji drawled, sauntering up to the sink next to Tasuki. He scowled and wrinkled his nose at the boy next to him. “Haven’t you ever heard of showers? Your stench is enough to make someone puke.”

“Your actions toward Kyoko are enough to make someone sick,” Tasuki countered, now seething with silent anger.

Yohji’s eyes glazed over a bit with a tainted redness as a cocky grin appeared on his face. “Kyoko… hot little thing isn’t she? You want her… don’t you? I’ll bet under that goody two shoes exterior, you dream about doing the same things to her that I am going to do.”

“Kyoko is a lady and should be treated as such.” Tasuki bared his teeth feeling some unchecked power deep inside trying to fight its way to the surface. “The likes of you will never touch her!”

Yohji lifted a hand to his cheek in mock shock. “Oh, that’s right! I’m talking with the college virgin. I completely forgot!” His smirk vanished; replaced by the same angry look Tasuki had received last night. “Don’t even think about getting in my way boy scout. Kyoko is going to be my girl and there ain’t a fucking thing you can do about it.”

Feeling himself snap, Tasuki swung at the smirking bastard and missed, only to find a hard fist planted painfully in his already fragile stomach. He fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around his middle, gagging slightly.

“You’re really pathetic, you know that? I don’t know what Kyoko sees in a pansy like you.” Yohji cracked his knuckles as he turned away, “She needs a real man and I intend to give her just that.” With a sarcastic grin, he left the bathroom and the boy who still kneeled on the floor.

Tasuki stood up, angrily shaking his head to clear away the rest of the pain. He didn’t even pay attention to the fact that it hadn’t really hurt as bad as it should have… the hard punch had only winded him. As he stood to his full height, he growled and followed the bastard out of the bathroom… his irises now solid amethyst.

Kyoko took the last sip of her drink and decided she wanted a refill. “Gee, do you think they put enough garlic on this thing? It’s making me so thirsty.” Quickly standing up she grabbed Toya’s empty cup and took off throwing over her shoulder, “Payback for you getting mine for me earlier,” she grinned and set out for the drinks.

Toya barely heard what she said, his eyes lingering on her swaying hips as she walked off. Nor did he notice the person who had just exited the bathroom and now headed right in Kyoko’s direction. It all happened so fast that Toya barely had time to stand.

Kyoko held the cup underneath the soda fountain just as a shadow fell across her. Turning her head to see who it was, her eyes grew large as they locked with Yohji’s and the cup fell from her now shaking hand.

“NO!” Tasuki screamed as he plowed into Yohji’s side, knocking him clear across the room with more force then he should have even had.

“Get off me you tree hugging freak!” Yohji yelled and kicked wildly, nailing Tasuki in the chin.

Both combatants got up and started circling one another like vultures. Neither one noticed as their fingernails lengthened, nor the slight redness that crept into their eyes.

“You will not lay a hand on Kyoko!” Tasuki exclaimed as he shoved the other boy.

“And just how is a weak candy-ass boy like you going to stop me?” Yohji taunted back with a shove of his own.

Kyoko could only watch in shock as the two men continued fighting but quickly caught on to the fact that somehow Yohji had started it and Tasuki was only trying to protect her. The other problem was that now everyone in the school cafeteria was listening avidly.

Personally, all the fighting that had taken place over her since last night was starting to grate on her nerves.

“Will you two stop fighting!” Kyoko demanded as she stomped her foot.

“Stay out of this bitch,” Yohji growled. “I’m just showing pretty boy here that you need a real man… not some wannabe.”

The two young men lunged at each other again only to be grabbed by the collar of their jackets and lifted in the air as they were literally slung apart.

“Do we have a problem here boys?” Kotaro asked darkly.

“No,” Yohji growled remembering last night’s punishment. “No problem.” He tried to pry the hand from him only to give up when the vice-like grip didn’t give.

“Agreed,” Tasuki responded even though the promise of death still shone in his eyes as they locked with Yohji’s.

“That’s real good,” Kotaro said, dropping them like garbage. “I’d really hate to see someone get hurt.”

They looked up at him, hearing the underlying threat in the security guard’s words.

“Beat it!” Kotaro ordered.

Yohji ran out of the cafeteria like some wild animal was chasing him while Tasuki slowly stood up and smiled apologetically at Kyoko. “Sorry about this.” His eyes once again a soft brown held only warmth for the girl in front of him.

Kyoko merely nodded and watched Tasuki leave. She groaned inwardly when she felt both of her hands taken in Kotaro’s warm ones.

“You scared the hell out of me Kyoko,” Kotaro exclaimed softly.

“Get your hands off of her,” Toya yelled, stomping over to put himself between Kotaro and Kyoko.

“Get out of my way,” Kotaro nearly growled.

“Not a chance in hell,” Toya growled back.

Kotaro was starting to get very angry and felt his Lycan nature stir. “You have no clue what you’re fucking with little man.”

Toya’s expression darkened. “Go fuck yourself!”

Kamui had moved across the cafeteria, invisible to all senses and was now standing behind Kotaro. He needed to protect Toya from awakening fully and at the same time calm them both. Glancing at Kyoko, Kamui felt his heart fracture because it looked like she was on the verge of angry tears. Placing an unseen hand on the werewolf’s shoulder, he leaned forward to whisper in Kotaro’s ear.

“There’s people here Kotaro, don’t go all doggy on me. I don’t think we can explain a six foot Lycan running around campus in a security outfit like a scene out of the Fright Night sequel.” He smirked at his little joke knowing Kotaro had never changed into those things the movies made him out to be.

Toya’s eyes widened and his vision swam a bit when the multicolored glitter reappeared behind Kotaro in the faintest outline of someone with angel wings. Again he blinked and the vision was gone.

“All right, that’s it… I’ve HAD IT!” Kyoko yelled. “I’m sick and tired of you two bickering over me. At first it was flattering but right now, it’s starting to get on my nerves. I’m taking my books… I’m going home… ALONE… and the two of you can go kill each other for all I care!”

With that, Kyoko slammed the remaining cup of soda on the floor and left the cafeteria with her books in hand. She ran through the halls and out into the parking lot, fully intending to go straight home, praying to the gods above that Kotaro and Toya didn’t follow her.

She had just started to cross the parking lot when someone honked their horn. Smiling in relief, she waved just as Suki screeched to a halt right next to her.

“Kyoko, thank goodness!” Suki said as Kyoko hurriedly climbed into the backseat behind Shinbe. “Where’s Toya?”

Kyoko made a face, “He’s in the cafeteria fighting with Kotaro again.” She crossed her arms over her chest in agitation as she leaned back in the seat. “Wanna play Pole Position?” she asked, knowing Suki would take the hint to get her the hell out of the parking lot before the dummies decided to join them.

Suki immediately turned around and pushed the gas pedal to the floor. “What happened to you last night? Where did you go? Was Toya the one that found you? We were so worried.” Her gaze darted from the road to the rear view mirror as she waited for her questions to be answered.

“I’m not really sure what happened last night… just… some really bizarre stuff is going on. I was taken home by Toya and ended up at Kotaro’s place. Toya was the one who found me again and brought me here to the school.” Kyoko said in one breath leaving out absolutely all the weirdness. “Right now, I just want to get home, away from those two and into a nice hot shower.”

Shinbe turned around in the passenger seat, smiling lecherously at Kyoko. “So you spent the night with two different men? For shame Kyoko.”

Shinbe yelped when Suki slapped him on the side of the head.

“That’s enough out of you perv. Kyoko’s obviously had a very rough night and it looks like her day hasn’t been much better.” Suki’s eyebrow twitched waiting to see if she would have a reason to smack him again. “Men!”

“Thanks Suki.” Kyoko said and settled into the car seat next to her books.

“Kyoko? Isn’t that what you were wearing last night?” Shinbe asked. He raised an eyebrow right before he yelped again… this time being hit by both of them. “What???”