I strolled through the wooded area of campus, avoiding sticks and leaves that would make too much noise. I knew I was supposed to be in my dorm by now, but I had to check on him. I quickened my pace since the sun was setting and the night-class students would be heading to their classroom soon.
Finally, I reached the little stable that was isolated from the school and dorms and entered to see him. "Hey Night, did you miss me?" I asked, approaching the black stallion.
When he saw me, he neighed in response.
"I miss you too, boy," I giggled before checking to make sure he had enough food and water. When that was done, I unlocked the gate to his pen and approached him. He watched me as I went to his side and patted his long, black mane. "How have you been? Good?"
He whinnied and nodded his head
"That's great," I chuckled.
"Who's in here?"
I gasped quietly at the sudden voice and ambled over to the edge of the pen. I leaned over the gate and glanced toward the doorway to see Zero standing in it. My eyes widened in surprise. Oh crap! I thought.
"Who are you?" he enquired with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Uh…I…my name's Chikako," I finally spat out. Stupid! I shouted in my head. Just answer his questions without hesitation or stuttering!
"What are you doing in here?"
"I-I was just checking on Night."
"Well get back to the dorms," he ordered. "It's almost sundown and the night-class students will be transferring to their classes."
"Oh, o-okay," I replied. I turned back to Night and whispered, "See you tomorrow boy." I stepped out of the pen and locked the gate.
Afterwards, however, Night let out a distressed neigh and backed up on his hind legs.
"Night…" I backed away, afraid of what he might do next.
Suddenly Night whirled around and kicked the gate, sending it and splinters of wood flying towards me. I held up my arms in defense and backed up, tripping over my feet and landing on my butt. Night stood before me and reared up again, his front legs hurtling down towards me.
"Night!" I squeezed my eyes shut in fear and waited for the inevitable pain that didn't come. Instead, I felt a hand grab my arm and yank me to the side, out of harm's way.
"Night!" Zero shouted as the dark horse fled the stable, almost trampling us on his way out.
"Night, come back!" I yelled, though it was too late. I hurried to my feet and sprinted in the direction he disappeared in.
"Hey, stop!" Zero called out, causing me to do as he said. "I got it. You go back to your dorm."
"No!" I snapped. "I've been taking care of him since I got here and I'm not going anywhere until I know he's back in his pen." I knew he was only doing his job, but I loved Night like he was my own and I wasn't going to let anyone stop me from finding him.
Zero glared at me, clearly unhappy with my opposition. "Fine. Since it's yours, you go get it. I have to direct the night-class students."
I stood there in disbelief that he was letting me go, but quickly ran in Night's direction before he could change his mind.
It took a while, but I finally found Night standing by a tree, nibbling on its leaves. "There you are," I said, full of relief. I cautiously reached out to his neck and he quit eating, shifting his attention to me. He seemed so calm now; it was hard to believe he was the same horse at the stable. "Come on, Night. Let's go back." I tugged on his hair and clicked my tongue a couple times before he fell in tow with me.
As we walked, I couldn't help but think of Zero. His silver-white hair, lilac eyes, and pale skin was all I could think about. He sort of looked…beautiful. Wait, what am I thinking?! I wondered. I'm calling Zero…beautiful! I flustered and shook my head, hoping to shake the thoughts away as well.
When we returned to the stable, Zero wasn't there. I felt relieved that I didn't have to face him after my little protest earlier. I lead Night to his pen, but was at a loss as to what to do about the broken gate. "Look what you did, Night," I scolded, putting my hands on my hips. "Now what am I going to do?"
He stared silently at me, as if apologizing.
My arms dropped to my sides. "It's okay. I'll talk to the Headmaster about getting you a new gate."
He neighed and came over to me, licking my cheek with his rough tongue.
"All right," I chortled, "I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He nodded his head and I proceeded towards the doorway.
"Man, I'm thirsty," a voice announced, causing me to freeze where I was for a second before jumping to the side of the doorway.
"Have a tablet," another voice suggested.
"No," objected the first, "I'm tired of those. I want some real blood."
My eyes widened when I heard this. What?! He wants real blood? For what?! I wondered. I got down on my knees and peeked around the corner, spotting two guys. One was blonde and blue-eyed while the other was strawberry blonde with amber-colored eyes. They both wore the uniform of night-class students and, like all night-class students, were beautiful beyond belief. Isn't that Hanabusa and Akatsuki? What are they doing here? They should be on their way to their class by now, I thought to myself. I quietly began backing up to the corner, keeping my eyes on the door, when I felt a sharp pain in my hand. "Ouch!" I exclaimed, bringing it before me only to see a tack slightly stuck in the middle of my palm. I quickly pulled it out, keeping the pain to a minimum.
"Well, well, well, what's this?"
My head snapped up to Hanabusa standing in front of me, a delighted smile on his face. "Uh…"
"What are you doing in here?"
"I was just leaving," I replied, scrambling to my feet and hurrying past him. I noticed Akatsuki leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest and a bored expression on his face.
"What's your rush?" Hanabusa inquired, slithering his arm around my shoulders.
"I have to get to my dorm before the disciplinary committee gets on my case," I answered, shrugging off his arm.
"Don't you want to stay a bit?" He slipped his arm back around me and whispered in my ear, "We can have a little fun." He leisurely stepped behind me, sliding his hand down my arm and sending chills up my spine.
"I-I c-can't," I stuttered.
He snatched my wrist and lifted it in front of me, resting his head on my shoulder. "Looks like you've got a little cut," he stated as blood trickled out of my wound.
"Y-yeah, I should go and bandage it up," I said, hoping he'd let me go so I could.
"That's all right." He moved around so he stood before me and pulled my wrist closer to his smirking face. "I'll clean that up for you," he offered, licking the blood from my hand.
I gasped in utter shock and tried to pull my wrist from his grip.
Suddenly we heard a click and Zero was behind Hanabusa, holding a gun to the side of his head. "Back off," he instructed in a cold voice.
"Zero," Hanabusa acknowledged in a calm tone, not even glancing at him, "you're back already." He peered back at Zero and grinned at his glowering expression. "I'm sorry, was she going to be your dinner?"
"You know you're not allowed to drink the day-class students' blood." Drink our blood?!
"Come on, Hanabusa. Let's go before Lord Kaname realizes where we are," Akatsuki advised.
Hanabusa ignored Akatsuki advice and continued taunting Zero. "Come on, Zero. Your mouth must be watering from the smell of her blood. I know mine is."
"Shut up!"
"Don't you just want to sink your teeth into her neck?"
"That's enough! Just get out of here."
"All right," Hanabusa caved, shocking me a bit by how easily he gave in. He released my wrist, but just when I thought he was going to leave, he appeared behind me, one of his hands around my neck. "But if you are going to have her, just make sure you don't make too big of a mess." He punctured my neck with his index finger and I flinched in pain, feeling warm blood roll down my neck. "You wouldn't want all the night-class students smelling her blood and coming out to investigate, now would you?" He flicked his bloody fingers at Zero.
Zero's eyes widened as blood specks landed on his face and his body began trembling.
"Well, my work here is done!" Hanabusa announced happily. "Bye!" He took a speedy lick at my neck before releasing and shoving me into Zero, who tensed up upon impact and held me back with one hand. Hanabusa approached Akatsuki and they both left without another word.
I lifted my clean hand to my neck and turned to Zero. His eyes were still wide and a mask of fear was on his face. "Ze—"
"I need to go," he declared abruptly, turning to leave.
"Wait!" I grabbed his arm and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Let go!" he demanded, jerking his arm away and bolting off.
It was starting to get dark and I stood there for a second, unsure what to do. As if acting on their own, my legs starting running after Zero. The expression of excruciating pain he wore before leaving made me feel uneasy I couldn't leave it alone. I desperately needed to know if he was okay or not.
It wasn't long before I found Zero resting against a brick building, his hand clutching his neck. "I said go away," he growled without looking at me.
"I-I'm just worried about you…" I admitted meekly, approaching him warily.
"Don't be."
"I-is your throat hurting?" I questioned, reaching out only to have my hand slapped away.
He let out a painful scream, squeezing his throat. "Go," he ordered in a strained voice. "Run."
"W-what?"
"Leave…before I…kill you."
I stepped back in disbelief. "W-what?" I stared at Zero, who seemed to be in immense pain. "N-no. No, I won't leave you like this. I-I don't believe you'd do something like that," I stated boldly, though I was sure the fear in my eyes was evident.
"Blood…" Zero gazed at me with crimson, bloodthirsty eyes and seized my shoulders, slamming me against the wall.
The force knocked the air out of me for a minute, but before I could recollect what happened, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. W-what's this feeling? I-I can feel my blood…being drained from my body… My eyes widen at the realization of what was transpiring.
Zero drew back and said, "There. Now you see what kind of monster I am." He turned away from me in shame. "Go on, run away."
I watched him worriedly, a pang of sadness in my heart. "I don't think you're a monster. I'm just glad you're okay." I gave him a small smile and he just stared at me. "I don't want to leave you."
"You remind me of someone I…" He trailed off, eyes to the ground.
"Love?" He dragged me towards him and I braced myself for another bite, but felt his lips on mine instead. I was surprised at first, but then returned the action, wrapping my arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. I don't care if you're human or not, I thought. I'll never leave your side.