With Ava showing up, Koya decided to leave. That way Belicia could decide for herself what she wanted to do. He hadn't banked on her getting mad about it. He went home to change his ripped shirt and his mother met him at the kitchen door.

"Koya. You're a mess. What happened?"

We had a little argument in the parking lot, everything is fine," he dismissed it coolly.

"A little argument? Your shirt is ripped to shreds Koya!"

"Yeah I know, Tuto's hench boys did it but I don't want you to worry-,"

"Oh I will not worry, I will expect you to make sure this does not happen again. Kurogane is depending on you to expose the Toyotomi," Mrs. Kenchasi stated firmly.

"I assure you it's coming. Have you informed him of the hour I have chosen?"

"I have. He is arranging everything as we speak. You have to see to it that Tuto slips up between now and then. It is critical to your future Koya. Not to mention securing Belicia as your fated mate. You cannot leave anything to chance now."

Koya nodded and headed downstairs. His mother was right. He had to keep a closer watch on Belicia as the hour drew near. He made a silent vow not to leave her side until Kurogane eliminated Toyotomi. He grabbed a shirt from his closet and ran upstairs. His mother was in the garden tending to her flowers. He picked one, a beautiful red bloom and left her with a kiss on the cheek.

She watched him leave with a content expression adorning her fair complexion, then she took out her phone and called his father. He would soon be breaking the news to Belicia's mother and father. Soon, Mrs. Brooks would find out that the stories her great grandmother told her were all true.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

To Koya's amazement, Bel and Ava returned to school. At lunch he found them in the cafeteria and went and sat down with them.

Across the room, Desiree sat with her fan group, unaffected by the morning's events, and Koya could feel the tension in Belicia's essence. She watched stiffly as Desiree laughed loudly at something which was said and brushed her hair like she hadn't a care in the world.

Belicia looked at Koya and her amber eyes seethed with unspoken anger. He quickly looked down because he did not want to get her riled up right now. From the side of his eye he saw Tuto walking over and felt his Kitsune hackles rising. He stood up as Tuto made it to the table.

Belicia could not even believe Tuto was stupid enough to come anywhere near them. When Koya stood up she held her breath. She went to stand beside him but Ava jerked her back down.

"Don't do it Bel," she hissed. "Let Koya handle it."

Belicia looked at Ava in disbelief.

"What? Let Koya handle it? Since when has he ever been able to handle Tuto, Ava?" she whispered back. Then Belicia's eyes narrowed at her best friend. "There is something you aren't telling me Ava."

Ava gave her a wide eyed look. "No there isn't Bel," she began but stopped when Tuto stepped up.

"So Belicia, have you decided if you want to go to Noah's party with me?"

Belicia could not believe him. "Are you trying to start something Tuto?" she answered him sarcastically.

"No," he looked at Koya who stood with his chest puffed out.

"Good then," Koya cocked his head. "Go back to your fanboys and leave Bel alone."

"I think you need to butt out Koya boya or haven't you had enough of me yet? It doesn't seem like you've learned not to mess with Tuto." Tuto spoke slowly as if Koya was not able to understand. "I told you if you didn't do as I said you would suffer my wrath and you didn't listen. Do I need to explain it again?" Tuto grabbed Koya with both hands by the front of his shirt and instantly a crowd gathered.

Belicia was sick of it.

She stood up and wrestled herself next to Koya, but before she could say anything, Tuto let him go and backed up. But Belicia figured out why as the crowd broke up and she saw Principal Lundy walk up.

Koya was shocked as Belicia followed Tuto out of the cafeteria. He gave Ava a glare and she shrugged.

Outside in the hall Belicia jogged behind Tuto calling his name. He turned back, surprised to see her there.

She stopped in front of him and he raised his arm resting a hand on the wall. "Change your mind about a ride to the party Bel?" He smiled like he had everything figured out.

"No, not at all Tuto,"

"Then we have nothing to discuss," he pushed off and turned to leave.

"Yes we do Tuto. I want to know what your deal is with Koya! You haven't left him alone since he's moved here. What is the problem already?"

Tuto turned around. "I'll tell you Belicia," he walked back to her. "Koya boya hasn't stopped sniffing around Desi since day one. At first I was pissed but now I don't know. Maybe she wants to be with him. I've caught them kissing more times than you know."

Belicia's mouth fell open. "That isn't true Tuto," she blinked.

"It is true and you'll see for yourself when I break up with Desi, how fast she'll run to Koya boya's arms," he boasted confidently.

"Koya can't stand her Tuto, he told me himself. Why can't you see that?"

"Because," he leaned closer to her, "I've caught them kissing Bel, and if you opened your eyes you'd see it too. In fact, if you wait with me today after school I'll show you," he alluded, placing a finger under her chin.

Her eyes mesmerized him and he lifted her face to his and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. She raised her hand to his arm and he pulled her to him cupping her face.

He teased her with his tongue becoming bolder when she kissed him back. Then he drew away from her and looked at the heated flush in her cheeks. "You're feeling the same thing Bel. Meet me outside after school by the window where his locker is and have a look for yourself."

She nodded and as he walked away, she felt like a traitor agreeing to such a ridiculous stunt, but at the same time she wanted to see for herself if Tuto knew something she didn't. It didn't make sense to her that Koya would go to the trouble of meeting her in the middle of the night just to lie about his intentions. Then she remembered that she and Ava were supposed to go shopping after school.

Her mind was filled with relief because
deep down she didn't want to believe Tuto anyway. She turned to head to class and only to find Koya standing behind her.

"Why did you run after him Bel?" he murmured, putting his arm around her.

"No special reason," she answered, slightly flustered, avoiding Koya's gaze.

He gave her a heads up. "Come-on I'll walk you to class," he said, letting his arm drop from her waist.

Belicia took a deep breath.

"I can get there myself, I have to go to the restroom anyway," she told him, walking away.

Koya nodded, but she didn't see him. His lips pressed into a tight frown. Gods, she was stubborn. He sent his Kitsune straight to her essence but was greeted with nothingness.

Hmmmmm. Was she learning to empty herself of thoughts and feelings?

This did not bode well for him, Koya pondered as Cayde walked up.

"Where's Bel?" he asked, looking all around.

"Restroom. Come on, let's get to class."