Chapter 3

Monster
The secret side of me. I never let you see.
I keep it caged but I can't control it.
So stay away from me. The beast is ugly.
I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

Groups of students gathered outside for their lunch out on the green grass, sitting under the sun in the cool breeze. Zero found himself sitting under the shade of a large tree watching other students talk and eat their lunches together.

He almost envied them. They had no idea of the real world behind the school gates. A world full of monsters of the night…And he was one of those monsters…
"I hate school." He sighed leaning his head back against the tree trunk

"Is that so…" A voice came from behind

Quickly turning his head, Zero looked around the other side of the tree to see Mizuki sitting facing the other direction with her eyes closed

"How long have you been sitting there?" He asked getting onto his knees ready to stand

"Longer than you have been here." She sighed

He rose slowly and put his hands in his pockets. He walked around the tree and stood in front of her

"Meet me at the front of the school once classes for the day have finished. We are going to headquarters."

Mizuki jumped up quickly and stood up straight, but still Zero towered over her

"I'm…Busy tonight…."

"You're my apprentice, and we have a mission." Zero muttered

Mizuki crossed her arms and looked away pouting

"You did a mighty fine job without me yesterday."

She watched as his dull amethyst eyes widen. He took a step back

"You were there the whole time….?" He questioned

"I saw how you treated that little girl. So kindly…And you smiled. Under you're cold hearted shell; you seem to be a pretty nice guy." Mizuki smiled

"Shut up." He growled

Zero took one more look at her before he walked away, he said she'd better not be busy tonight and to come meet him at the front gate. She could not bail out on the second mission.

- - -

Zero watched as Students walked out the gate to go late night shopping or out to dinner on the Friday night. He waited patiently for Mizuki to come, but only after five minutes did that patients wear thin.

- - -

Mizuki's POV

I took a deep breath as I opened my dorm room window. To leave out the front door, I would get caught by the Chairman and I would surely bump into Zero…Unless he already left. I jumped and crouched on the ledge of the window looking to down the ground, did I mention I was on the third floor…

I would but lucky if I walk away from this with just a broken leg. So the question I kept asking myself was why was I doing this…Turning my head to the left, I saw a tree near another dorm room's window.

"Perfect…" I breathed.

Thankfully there was a small ledge leading from window to window all over Cross Academy. My feet landed on the ledge as I jumped from my window. A strong gust of wind blew my hair into my face. Now was not the time for this…

Tucking the loose hair behind my ear I began walking across the ledge, slowly getting closer to the tree. The wind picked up again as I leant against the wall, trying not to lose my balance. Turning, realising I was standing near the tree; I stopped and took one more deep breath before leaping to the nearest branch.

- - -

Zero pushed himself off the wall near the gate and headed off in the direction of the Hunter's Headquarters. He was waiting no longer for Mizuki to appear. He would just tell Yagari that she didn't come. Taking one last look at the school, wondering if he could see Mizuki, but nothing…

The walk to the Hunters Association Headquarters was a long one, but Zero walked as fast as he could.

- - -

The sun had gone down and the moon glowed, accompanied by the stars. The large front doors of the Hunters headquarters slammed open, crashing into the walls. The clack of footsteps walking down the main hall rang throughout the building.

"Yeah…that's him…" A man whispered to another as the silver haired teen walked past.

A few other people noticed too and began to chatter amongst themselves about it.

"What is all the fuss about…?" Zero thought as he kept his eye on his destination

Once again he slammed the next door open to his Masters office.

"See?! He doesn't even show up, I'm telling you, I really don't approve of you making him future pres…erm"

"Hey Zero. You're late." Yagari cut in

"Of course I am. Do you have any idea how far apart the Academy and the Hunters Association headquarters are!?"

"Uh…Very far…" Yagari replied

Zero rolled his eyes

"Anyway…" Yagari started "Where's your apprentice, shouldn't she be following you're every move, or did you ditch her?"

"She said she was busy." Zero replied

The room went silent for a moment until Zero remembered another reason why he had come tonight, apart from another mission.

Taking a few steps closer to Yagari and the other man, Zero slammed his fists onto the desk

"So…What the hell are you people thinking! I hear the Association and the Vampires will be holding a 'Ball' together the night after the negotiations!?"

"Zero is just as Bull-headed as a certain somebody here…" Yagari sighed

"Hey…No fair, I agreed the party is a necessity…" The other man replied

The conversation continued and finished with Yagari pointing to a folder at the edge of his desk

"Ok Zero, you'll find there the list of the Vampires who will be at the Ball. Memorize it all and take care of surveillance. You and Mizuki."

Slowly Zero stepped forward and reached out for the folder

"Vampires who held positions of power in the previous society will be attending. The purpose of the Ball is for both sides to 'Socialise'. To reinforce the idea that we'll be continuing to work together for the peace."

Zero stared at his teacher. Then said goodbye and left.

How bloody wonderful. He had to be stuck in a room full of Noble Vampires at a Ball…

- - -

Zero sighed and closed his eyes as he shut the doors to the Hunters Headquarters. Now he had to begin the long walk back home to his apartment. After talking to a few other hunters, apparently no Vampires were causing trouble tonight.

Half way home he heard someone…or something following him. With a quick turn, Zero faced his follower, pulling out his Bloody Rose as he turned. Faced with two large blue eyes, the creature behind him growled at the sight of his weapon.

"A…dog…" Zero realised. His took a step back and placed his weapon back in his coat pocket.

"Go back home." He muttered to the animal, only then noticing it was wounded in several places

The dog barked at him a leaped forward making Zero flinch and jump back

The breeze that has been flowing all night picked up the scent of the dog and pushed it to Zero. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and inhaled it

"Even dog's blood smells good…" He groaned

He placed his head in his hands quickly and ran from the animal. Leaving the injured creature behind.