Things We Used To Share

The Start of Something Shrewd

"What do you mean the council's gotten involved?!"

Yagari looked at his fellow hunter in disdain. "...can you not comprehend what I just said? We speak the same language."

He was just as irritated as the other guy, don't get him wrong. But yelling about it so early in the morning...wasn't helping.

"They say they did an investigation?! That's bullshit!"

Yagari's eye twitched. He kept walking, and low and behold, his unwanted companion followed behind him.

"That monster killed Tanaka. And didn't even feel any remorse." He spat, his arms waving about as he spoke.

"Yeah." Yoga answered.

"And he gets to walk free because we don't want trouble with the council? And because Tanaka provoked the Vampire?!"

"...Technically, he wasn't on the list, so it's a possible claim." Toga said through gritted teeth. He turned his head to the other hunter. "And the association doesn't want the council on their back. Especially with Hiro secretly helping us out."

The hunter glared down at the floor, fist clenched as he stopped walking.

"...So they kill us and walk free." His voice was quiet as he scoffed.

Yagari Toga stopped walking, looking back at the man.

He just wanted to get this over with.

"...when Vampires rule the world, this is the shitty reality we get." He said, jingling the keys.

The other man punched the wall as Yagari walked into the underground cells.

He walked past the other cells. Some were empty, and other were filled with Level E Vampires slowly losing their minds in the corner of a mildewed cell. Some reached out, trying to grasp the person that walked in, just to get some blood.

No longer looking human.

He felt his anger rise as he got to the last cell.

He opened it, swinging the door open.

Hiro was huddled on the bench in a huge jacket, staring out at nothing. He turned his head to Toga, blinking in surprise.

"...teacher?"

Yagari got closer, sighing deeply as he grabbed Hiro's arm.

He pulled him up, almost dragging him out of the cell.

"...it's time for me to be executed?" Hiro asked, eyes looking to the floor.

"You're getting out." He said calmly.

He was surprised when he felt Hiro tug his arm back.

Hiro pulled away from him. He stopped walking, standing in the middle of the halls. He looked at the other Vampires, eyebrows furrowing as he looked to the ground.

"...I shouldn't be set free." He said, taking a step back. "Please, take me back. I can do more missions. I can help."

Yagari stomped forward.

He grabbed Hiro by the collar, pulling him close. He stared down at the younger Vampire, eyes narrowing.

"You took that man's life." Toga said darkly.

Hiro didn't meet his eyes, shame filling his face.

"So here's what going to happen: you're going to shut up and leave. Live with that guilt, and don't squander the life you stole from him."