Heaven's Mirror
Full Summary: Zero Kiryuu is the infamous leader of the Hunter Association and regarded as one of the most powerful figures that is balancing the strife between humans and vampires. However, he is haunted by the images of the woman he once loved and the event that changed their lives forever.
Ever since her disappearance from his life five years ago, he has come to the conclusion that he no longer has the capacity to love. On a mission however, he stumbles across a child with the mirror image of his face. Just what is going on?
Chapter 2: Mirror
He muttered a greeting as he slide into the seat next to Kaito. "I'll have a beer," Zero said to the bartender, who quickly busied himself with preparing the drink. The Hunter Association President was notorious for his terrible temperament and no human being alive would ever want to be on the receiving end of his wrath.
Kaito chuckled as he surveyed his best friend's demeanour. "With that much killing intent radiating from you, I'm surprised that all the vampires hidden in this town didn't go fleeing for the hills."
"I won't hesitate to wring your neck, you know?"
"Lighten up, Zero! You won't be attracting any women with that kind of attitude tonight," Kaito smirked, clearly humoured by his friend's all too apparent irritation.
However, his prior amusement quickly dissipated upon the closer inspection of his companion. "You seem unwell. Have you been stocking up on your blood tablets? You need a break and you've got to stop taking everything so seriously. All you have been doing nowadays is throwing yourself into your work. I understand that we're low on hunters as it is, but if you collapse on the job...just who exactly is going to have to save your ass?"
Zero smirked in response. "Only you would have the audacity to tell the leader of the Hunter Association what to do."
"We are childhood friends, so do you really expect any less from me? The day that I grovel before your feet worshipping your supposed 'incomparable skills' as a vampire hunter is when hell freezers over," Kaito retorted with a smirk that mirrored Zero's own expression.
Despite his teasing, Kaito was relieved to see some semblance of colour returning to Zero's pallor complexion.
"I appreciate your concern Kaito but I'm fine, really. I can take care of myself. You on the other hand, should worry about yourself. I have been hearing some rather questionable rumours that you have been parading around with married women?
"It's not my fault when they're practically offering themselves to me. Their husbands obviously haven't been satisfying them as well as they should be, if they're seeking out my undoubtedly superior expertise," he chortled.
Zero rolled his eyes in response, unsurprised at his friend's philandering ways. They had known each other for their entire lives and Kaito had established himself as a renowned ladies' man from the moment that he could walk. His smooth talking ways were bound to eventually lead to his own demise. He couldn't help but be amused by how the two of them were the complete polar opposites, in every way possible.
Whilst Kaito could never have enough women in his life to satisfy him, Zero struggled with finding ways for them to leave him alone. He found them to be incredibly troublesome and regarded them as a stain that simply refused to go away. Kaito found this view on life to be the 'utmost disgrace to mankind' and defied the very will of nature itself.
Zero clearly remembered the day when Kaito outright accused him of potentially 'swinging the other way' and that he had finally discovered the Hunter Association Leader's darkest secret. Zero had been absolutely certain then and there that Kaito's head would have made a lovely housewarming gift, or as a hanging staple piece in the Hunter Association Lobby. To his dismay, he had been unable to act upon these desires due to the most unwanted interventions of Kaien Cross.
However, his thoughts were interrupted when he felt a nudge by his side. "Hey Zero, what do you think of that beauty over there, near the corner?" Kaito murmured.
His amethyst orbs were immediately drawn to the direction Kaito had indicated, and was met with a girl possessing the most beautiful, scarlet eyes.
Her long, red hair cascaded down her back with the utmost grace and femininity that a woman could possibly possess. Her long legs were crossed over one another underneath the table, and were quite an impressive sight to behold even from the distance that separated them. Noticing Zero's lingering eyes on her, a flirtatious smile graced her features, although her luscious eyes feigned indifference to his attention.
Kaito smirked at the revelation, as he whispered, "That vixen is all over you, Zero. Make a move, she's all yours."
The connection was immediately broken between the two, as his eyes quickly returned to where they had been before. "Not interested," Zero stated bluntly.
"Seriously? You would turn down that? Are you insane or what?" Kaito blurted out, appalled at his utter indifference to the stunning beauty so close within their reach.
"She's just another woman, nothing more. Besides, appearances aren't everything," he responded, calmly sipping his drink.
"Maybe you should just marry your work instead Zero, since that's the only thing that could ever pique even the slightest interest from you. The girl who manages to snare you... damn, she must be something," Kaito whistled teasingly.
Zero couldn't help but chuckle at that. God knows how long Kaito had been attempting to set him up with numerous women, but to no avail. His iron mask flickered for a second, as hesitation and uncharacteristic sadness clouded over his features. Despite Kaito's seemingly harmless teasing, there was some hollow truth to his words.
It was true that all he did was work nowadays, but for what purpose? Why did he drown himself with such vigour, for something he didn't truly care for? In all honesty, the position of President meant scarcely anything to him, in terms of both sentimental and monetary value. At first he had justified his actions by asserting that it was for the greater good of mankind, to eradicate the existence of all vampires.
After all, weren't they the source of his life's misery? They had taken away everything that had been dear to him, everything that he had ever once cherished in his life. It had robbed him of his own humanity, in every sense of the word.
But now, even that cause seemed futile and meaningless. After staining his hands with never-ending bloodshed and death, he no longer felt any satisfaction or solace from his own despair and the ever-growing emptiness in his life. Just what was he doing? Just why was he doing this?
"Oi, Zero. Are you alright? Are you even listening to me?"
The voice sliced through his reverie all too quickly, bringing him back to the face of reality. Before he could reply however, he felt a foreign touch on his forearm that had dared to invade his personal space. Zero was all too tempted to whip out his bloody rose then and there and subdue the intruder, but forced himself to remain calm. Whomever was gutsy enough to approach him of all people, was either a complete idiot or extremely full of themselves.
He turned around, only to cross paths once more with twin pools of red. It was the woman Kaito had directed his attention to earlier.
She had placed her hand on his arm, stroking it in such a way that left no questions on the meaning behind her intentions. Her eyes never broke contact with his, as she falsely interpreted his silence as acceptance of her advances. She tantalisingly pressed her body against his, and murmured seductively into his ear, "I saw you looking at me earlier...are you interested in having a taste?"
To any other man, her offer and actions would have ignited intense desire, no doubt. For Zero however, it was more discomforting than anything else. He saw reflected in her eyes, thoughts and feelings that he had seen so many times before.
Lust, for something she couldn't have. The thrill of challenge, of obtaining something everyone else desired. The allure of danger, and what mysteries he had to offer. The temptation of potentially conquering something which she had no power over.
Zero refrained from scoffing out loud at how utterly superficial these desires were. He prided himself in being able to easily see through a person, and everything they stood for just by looking into their eyes. A person's eyes after all, were the entrance into their very soul, their beliefs, their utmost secrets and inner passions. They were the most expressive and bewitching tool that could be exploited, and when used correctly, could succumb even the most powerful and dangerous foes to their very knees.
"Sorry... but I'll have to pass on your... very kind proposal," Zero replied coldly, his amethyst orbs frosted over with disgust.
He proceeded to remove her hand from his arm, in a fashion that could only be described as cruel and detached. He could vaguely hear Kaito assuage her, saying "Don't worry about this sour guy right here... he's like this to practically everyone."
To Zero's surprise however, her face looked more so hurt than anything else. She had bit at her bottom lip, in a feeble attempt to stop the tears from escaping at the corner of her eyes. Maybe I went too far this time... he thought, the feeling of guilt washing over him in waves.
As unrelenting and merciless as he was, Zero still held a weakness for a woman's tears. Even back then when she cried, he could never find the right words to say. Most of the time, he always ended up saying the wrong things or refused to reveal his true emotions... and she'd leave in anger, seeking out the one person who could give her the comfort, the promise of happiness that he never could.
Back then...
Zero couldn't help but feel shaken by the long buried memories, as his knuckles inexplicably tightened their grip on the edge of the table. Seeing those ruby orbs in front of him, so open... and so incredibly innocent... it reminded him so much of the way she used to look at him.
"My name is Yuuki. What is yours? I know that the event must have frightened you so but... I hope that we can be friends from now on."
"Don't worry, we'll always be together, right?"
"I don't want you to go, Zero! Please stay with me..."
"I guess this is goodbye, isn't it? Somehow this is the card fate dealt us... and we have to go our separate ways."
He regressed into a state of shock, recoiling at the vividness of the memory. He could feel his forehead breaking out into cold sweat, as he hastily stood up from his chair. "Sorry Kaito, but I have got to go. We'll catch up some other time," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Without turning back, he quickly made his leave for the exit. He could hear a voice call out to him, barely heard amongst the loud, mingling voices of the bar, "Oi! Just where the hell do you think you're going, Zero? You haven't even paid for your drink yet, you bastard!"
He merely waved a hand in dismissal without turning back, before being greeted by the familiar sounds of night. It was a moonless sky, and although it was rather chilly, the sudden change in temperature helped him regain his composure. His usual mask of indifference. Zero simply shook his head, attempting to dissipate the tidal wave of emotions that had overcome him before.
She's never coming back... so why do you still long for her?
He had asked himself that very same question over and over, and yet... he could never find a sufficient answer each and every time. Zero sighed, and decided to merely leave his thoughts as they were. It had been a long night, and thinking about it really wasn't going to help him find a solution. After all, her chapter in his life had past long ago, and there was simply no turning back the pages.
Perhaps, he just had to accept that this was the inevitable end to their story.
As he made his trek home however, he quickly froze in his tracks. His hand immediately gripped the bloody rose, as an overwhelming sense of dread invaded his senses.
A vampire was nearby, along with the undeniable stench of death and decay.
His hunter instincts immediately began turning the gears, as he bolted towards the source. After going down several flights of alleyways, he came across an all too familiar scene. It was a level E, feasting on its prey — a corpse so gruesomely slaughtered that it was no longer recognisable to the naked eye.
Zero could faintly hear the soft sobs of a child, as relief washed over him. At the very least, he could still save the child. He berated himself for not arriving sooner, for there could have still been the slim chance of him rescuing the person from their horrific demise.
The level E before him froze, immediately sensing the ominous killing intent that had poisoned its senses. It slowly turned around, and its features twisted into what could barely classify as a grin. Zero felt a shiver course through his body, for its eyes showed no semblance of sanity remaining. It was too far gone.
All that stood before him was a beast in human form, a horrendous monster that thirsted for blood, and blood alone. "My my, well if it isn't the infamous vampire hunter of the Kiryuu family. What do I owe the honour of being in your presence?" It spoke calmly, as it licked the remaining blood smeared onto its lips.
"I have no time for conversation with an incredibly pathetic creature such as the likes of you. Be gone," Zero snarled, with no semblance of remorse or pity present in his voice.
His hand moved to pull the trigger until the next words that came out of its mouth, stopped him right in his tracks. Instead of showing fear that its life was about to end, or going berserk with insane madness — it merely smiled at him with mirth, as though they were simply sharing pleasantries between old comrades who had finally been reunited.
"But, are you not the same as I? One in the same, the very same flesh and blood. A vampire, a creature from hell itself. I just find it particularly amusing that you can spout such hypocrisy, when you're one of us. It's a small world, isn't it?
Its voice dripped with sarcasm and finality, as it proceeded to cackle — a sound that more so resembled a dying animal.
Zero was unyielding as he smirked at the beast in front of him, before pulling the trigger. It had directly pierced its heart, and he waited for its dying screams to slowly fade away into the night. He watched as it crumbled to dust, as the wind scattered its remaining essence... and its existence was no more. When the night returned to its eerie peacefulness once again, the smirk slid off his face and he collapsed onto his knees.
Why did you hesitate, Zero? That moment of hesitation could have cost you, and you know it.
The pungent scent of blood was driving him insane, and he desperately clawed at his neck to suppress it. What disgusted him the most however, was that it was right. Despite its loss of sanity, it had seen through him all too easily and said out loud the very fears that had plagued him.
They really were one in the same, and he might as well have been looking into the mirror reflection of his future self. He was constantly haunted by the very idea that he could easily succumb to that madness, and he didn't know how much longer he could last.
He had not consumed blood in a very long time, and he couldn't even remember the last time. Although his body no longer rejected the blood tablets, it was slowly chipping away at his self-control and sanity with every intake. He shakily reached into his pocket, and took out the familiar, worn out case. He proceeded to open up its lid with one hand, and gulped down the entire contents.
Zero swallowed the blood tablets, and after several long moments, he could feel his heartbeat slow and his breathing return to a steady pace. He threw the container against the wall in anguish, as he smirked dryly to himself. Zero could just hear Kaito's chastising voice in the back of his mind, lecturing him that it wasn't the right way to take the tablets at all.
It did little to sate his hunger, but if it meant he could hold onto his sanity just a little longer... then he would do whatever it takes.
He sauntered over to the nearest wall, and slumped his head in thought. Now that his mind had dispersed the haze of desire, the encounter had seemed all too surreal. What had truly shocked him to the core however, was its last words.
"It's a small world, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
It had reminded him of the exact same words she had said to him, in the moment they shared before she disappeared from his life. He couldn't overcome the sense of dread that pooled into the pit of his stomach, at hearing them once again after all these years.
Although the level E had long ago lost its sanity, in its very last words... it had sounded so incredibly human. It should have been bloodthirsty... it should have attacked him on sight... and yet, they had engaged in a conversation that could have even been classified as "civil".
Was it the harbinger of his impending demise? Was it the catalyst for something far greater, and far more fearsome?
The sound of a child crying penetrated his thoughts, as he cursed his carelessness. In the time he had spent wallowing in his own misery, the child could have easily been captured and devoured by another vampire. No part of the city was safe when night fell, and he silently thanked whomever was out there that the child had not wandered off.
Zero walked hesitantly towards the source of the sobbing, fearing that he would frighten the child instead. He was never popular with children, and after such a traumatising ordeal — he doubted that he would make the situation any better.
Forcing himself not to glare, he found the child near several piles of rubbish — so incredibly small and helpless. In the darkness, he would have mistaken the small figure for a pile of trash.
Deciding to keep his distance, he coaxed, "Look, I'm not here to hurt you. That... that monster is gone now, I have taken care of him. If you come out, I will help you find your guardian, or mother."
"You promise? You promise that you will help me find mommy?" The child called out weakly.
Zero chuckled at the harmless innocence of the question, and replied kindly, "I promise".
He could hear the crunching of rubbish bags shifting, as the figure within the darkness began to move closer into his line of vision. The shadow was rather small, as he deduced that the child was no more than eight years old.
What is a child so young doing out on the streets, and alone at night?
The child was now right before his very eyes, but his small hands still covered his face. Zero crouched down at eye level to the child, and he asked "What is your name?"
He could see tufts of silver hair sticking out from between his fingers, and felt a strange revelation overcome him. Silver hair, huh? How rare... I always thought it was a distinctive trait passed down in the Kiryuu bloodline...
No, it couldn't be... he thought with a shake of his head. It wasn't entirely impossible to have silver haired genes, after all albeit uncommon. Besides, he was the last of the Kiryuu lineage, and he was absolutely certain that there was no other in existence.
The child hiccuped, and replied quietly "A-Akira..."
"The light of her life, huh... your mother must really love you," Zero said, glad that he had at least done something right that night.
At that encouragement, the sobs finally ceased as the boy rubbed his eyes. He slowly removed his fingers, and smiled at Zero.
Zero at that moment however, felt like he had been struck by lightning — if not the most realistic nightmare of his life. The exact same amethyst orbs were staring right back at him, untainted by the hardships of life. The familiar silver hair that he had grown accustomed to seeing every morning, was now on the body of someone else other than his own.
It was as though he was staring into the very mirror image of his face, with each and every detail chiselled to the utmost perfection. If someone had told Zero then and there that he was staring into a mirror, he may as well have believed them. The uncanny resemblance was far too bizarre to be real. Someone please tell me that I'm dreaming...
Never before had he wanted this to be a dream, where he could wake up in the comforts of his bedroom. Never before had waking up in the middle of the night, sounded so utterly enticing and tempting. But what really threw him off guard, and completely off balance?
That sunny smile, that could've put even the rising of the sun to shame.
It was a smile that he had not seen for years on end. It was a smile that had haunted his every waking moment, his every dream, his every wish and his every nightmare.
And the first person that crossed his mind?
Yuuki.
— My Endless Love