Chapter 10

Zero's POV

I can't believe I'm doing this. I looked up at the window and sighed. Thank God it's totally dark out here or the students would be freaking out if they saw me. I climbed up to Liz's window and was trying to pick the lock. With a loud click it opened and I climbed in. I was afraid what I was going a find in there but when I looked around everything seemed normal. I went further in and now that I wasn't in front of the window anymore the moonlight broke through and landed on a figure in the bed. Liz!
I walked closer to check if she was ok. Then I sighed in relief. She was breathing normally. She was only…asleep.
Wow… She's beautiful. I reached out touched her cheek. Then I withdrew my hand. What am I thinking? And what am I doing? I'm like a freaking stalker. I heard her saying something but I couldn't understand it. So I leaned closer.
"Damien." I clenched my fists in anger. That son of a bitch. I will make him pay for this. But at first I need to save Liz. I just don't know how yet. There has to be a way to break his power. I looked down at the sleeping girl.
"Don't worry. Everything's going to be ok. I promise." I won't let her die. She's the only one who accepted me even when she figured out what I am. I owe her for that. And she's my friend. If not more. I shook my head. I don't have time to think about that. I stepped back, took a last glance at Liz and climbed out. So I didn't hear her last words.
"Zero… Help me…please."

Classes were boring as usual. The only thing that kept me awake was Liz's ignorance. She wouldn't even look at me. But when she did she only glared. I sighed. What should I do? I admit I was annoyed with her at first when she tried to befriend with me. But now…I want her to try to get my attention. I want her to talk to me again. That leech screwed everything up. And I don't know what to do. I can't go to the chairman either. He wouldn't be able to do anything because that bloodsucker is some noble ass. And I don't have proof against him anyway. I sighed again and looked at the girl next to me. Why does Damien want to hurt her? I just don't understand. But I will figure it out.

Fortunately, the bell rang and that meant school was over for today. I stood up and gathered my things. So did Liz. Then she went out of the classroom without a word.

Yuki's POV

I was standing in front of the chairman's office not knowing if I should go in or not. I came here to tell him, Zero's ditching his duties again but when I raised my hand to knock I heard Kaname-senpai's voice. I know him well. Instead of his usually calm voice he seemed upset and troubled. That made me stop and I couldn't help but listen in to their conversation. I leaned closer so I could hear what they were talking about.

"We don't have any proof. As much as it hurts I can't do anything about this." Said the headmaster.

"Yes. I know that. That's why I'm asking you to let us take care of this situation." This time it was Kaname-senpai.

"And what are you planning to do? Your hands are tied as well…" After that there was silence until I heard the chairman sigh. "Fine, do as you wish but I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"I don't want the either headmaster. Actually we're doing this to save her." Her? Who are they talking about?

"Are you sure about that? Don't you have anything else you wish to gain with this?" The chairman's voice seemed very serious but then he chuckled. "Just kidding. Don't look at me like that." I could hear only silence again. "I just wish Zero came to me with this problem." Zero? Is there something wrong with him?

"He probably knew as well you can't do anything about it. But I'm certain he will try everything to save her."

"Yes, you're right." Sighed the chairman.

"You know it's not nice to listen to other people's conversation." My eyes widened as a recognized this voice. I turned around and found myself face to face with Damien.

"I-I-I wasn't listening. I was just, well…"

"Well?" I couldn't come up with anything. But to my relief the door behind me opened and my saviour came out.

"Yuki?"

"K-Kaname-senpai?" I turned to him and greeted him with a huge smile. "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon. What are you doing here?" I don't know if he knows I was listening but he doesn't seem to be angry.

"Err…I need to talk to the headmaster about something."

"Then please, go in." He said with a kind smile on his face and stepped aside so he was between me and Damien now.

"Alright. Thank you… Goodbye!"

"Goodbye, Yuki! Take care!" I went in but before that I saw the two men sending hateful glares to each other but they covered it soon. Just what's going on here?

Zero's POV

It was already dark outside. I looked up at the sky through the window but I couldn't see the moon. There were dark clouds everywhere threatening us with an upcoming storm.

"Kiryu! Come on, drink something!" I looked up and glared at Aido.

"No, thank you."

"Oh, come on, this is my party and you're my guest. Please have fun." I was leaning against the wall but when he started talking to me I went closer to him.

"I'm not here to have fun. And it's not even a real party. Nobody has birthday or anything. We made this up so we could separate Liz from that monster. Don't forget that!" Aido became serious as well.

"I know that. It was my brilliant idea after all."

"Yeah. Let's hope it will work." I told him remembering about the day Aido explained his little plan to me…

*flashback*

It was three days after I climbed into Liz's room. I was standing in front of the night dormitory dealing with the headache that those annoying fangirls caused me. It was morning and that meant trouble for me. The day class students were drooling over the night class students as usual. It was freaking ANNOYING! Not to mention I still haven't figured out what to do about Damien. Liz was totally all over him. She spent every minute with him. Just like now. They were standing really close to each other and Liz was laughing…I mean LAUGHING! Damn that vampire and his stupid mind-control ability!

"She's so lucky." I heard one of the students say.

"Yeah. I wanna be in her place. Being so close to Damien-sama. Awww!" I turned to glare at them and they immediately shut up. Their little ranting didn't help on my mood at all.

"Maybe…we should…go."

"Yeah…You're right." They said and run away. I wanna kill someone!

"Hey, Kiryu!" Called Aido cheerfully. I looked at him. Hmm. That someone could be him since I can' hurt my real target. But then Liz would kick MY ass for hurting her friend. I sighed.

"What do you want?" I asked harshly as my gaze wandered back to Liz.

"Well…"He looked uncertain a little but then he continued. "We came up with a plan." That caught my attention.

"A plan?" I asked turning back to him.

"Yes."

"So, what is it?" I felt my hope rise up. Maybe we can finally do something.

"So let me get this straight. Damien is controlling Liz. And until that we can't do anything. Even if we'd managed to…" He leaned closer so only I could hear what he was saying. "kill him, there's no guarantee she would go back to her normal self. Right?"

"Right. Your point?" Where is he getting at?

"Well not like we could hurt him anyway…" He shook his head. "So, we have to find a way to free Liz from his control." No shit, Sherlock!

"And? How are you planning to do that?"

"Our plan is to separate her from Damien so you'd be able to talk to her."

"Really? That's your brilliant plan? Just so you know, that won't work."

"It's more than nothing… Look, we'd give you enough time to try to convince her. And we think you're the only one who can do that."

"And how are you planning to separate them?"

"Well…"

"KYAAA!" What the hell? Stupid fangirls. Why are they so noisy now? I turned to see what was going on.

"Wha…?" But I couldn't finish my sentence. My jaw dropped and I felt my blood boil with rage. And was this other feeling…jealousy?

Damien is kissing Liz. And she is KISSING BACK! What the hell?

"Aido! Tell me your plan! We're going to take action!" I said greeting my teeth and trying to defeat the urge to shot a bullet into that bloody vampire's scull.

*End of flashback*

It's a week after I climbed up into Liz's room. Four days ago Aido approached me saying they've finally came up with a plan. So here we are. We organized a party (with the chairman's help) and invited the whole night class and Yuki and Liz as well, since they have befriended with them. Our plan is while the others distract Damien I try to talk to Liz. There was no other way. She wouldn't even look at me at school. And she was always around that vampire. They said I'm the only one who can save her. I just don't know how to do it yet.

"They are here." Takuma's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at him . He was looking towards the door so I followed his gaze. My breath caught on my throat as I noticed Liz. She was wearing a beautiful red dress. She looked gorgeous. She had a smile on her face. But her eyes…They were blank.

Next to her stood Damien. One of his hands rested on Liz's waist. They looked like the perfect couple. I snorted. Yeah. Sure. Perfect couple. Hopefully they won't be so friendly to each other for too long.

"Welcome Damien-sama!" said Aidou as he approached them. "And Liz." He kissed her on the cheek and smiled. "So, do you like the party?"

"Yes, it's really pleasant. What's the occasion by the way?" asked Damien.

"There's none actually. I was just bored. But I'm glad you came. Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, please." And that was my cue to leave.

According to the plan Aidou would accidently spill some wine on Liz's dress. Rima and Ruka would take her to get cleaned up. I'd be waiting for them in the bathroom where they would take her. So here I am. I was getting impatient because they should have been here alredy. I was beginning to think they've failed when I heard noises.

"Come on, go in. We're right behind you." I heard Rima's voice. I looked up and found myself face to face with Liz as the door closed behind her. She looked at me up and down then turned to the door. She tried to open it but it was already closed thanks to Rima and Ruka. Liz sighed and slowly turned to me.

"What's going on?"

"I'd like to talk to you." I answered. I moved closer to her but she stepped back.

"Well, I don't want to talk to you… I need to get back to Damien-sama. He misses me." She said and I took one more step towards her but she moved aside and went further into the bathroom.

"Your little bloodsucking boyfriend doesn't miss you Liz. He wants to kill you." She laughed.

"Yeah. Sure." Well I knew it wouldn't be easy...

"I'm telling the truth. I don't know every detail but I think he has something to do with the death of your family as well." She looked at me angry.

"Don't you dare accuse him with something like that. That's not possible. My family had nothing to do with vampires." I sighed. Here goes nothing.

"You're wrong. Your family…your dad was a vampire hunter. And your family was killed by vampires."

"No, you're lying!" And with that she charged at me. But I was faster and stronger. Her attempt to hit me failed. I grabbed her wrist and looked into her eyes.

"I'm telling the truth."

"You're telling me…my whole life was a lie. That my father lied to me?" She asked.

"Yes." Slowly, I let go of her wrist. Her gaze held anger but soon I could see her eyes water. She started to openly cry. I moved closer and hugged her. She seemed to accept my embrace. Boy was I wrong… I noticed something shiny in her hand and the last moment I managed to catch it again. She was holding a dagger. My grip was strong and grew even stronger until she finally dropped the dagger. She looked at me with a frightened but determined face. I realized then that her goal was to kill me.

"Snap out of it! You're not like this. He's controlling you. You don't really want to hurt me." For a moment it seemed like she got to her sense but then she smirked.

"Watch me!" And with that she kicked me on the stomach. I groaned but didn't let go of her. Instead I pushed her against the wall. What should I do? How could I break his power? But then I wasn't thinking anymore. I didn't know what I was doing. I was desperate. I leaned in and captured her lips with my own.

Liz's POV

My eyes widened. To say the least, I was stunned. But soon enough, my eyelids closed and I returned the kiss. I didn't know why but it felt right. Then he broke the kiss and I felt myself weaken. My legs were shaking and soon enough I was on the floor in Zero's arms. At that moment my head started to hurt. I wanted to scream but I just couldn't. Then I passed out.

I woke up a few minutes later. I was still in Zero's arms. When I opened my eyes I saw him looking at me worried. At that moment I remembered everything. How Damien took control over me. How he used me. Those awful things I said to Zero. And how I behaved around him. And also what Zero has just told me about my family. I just…couldn't believe it.

"Liz?" Zero's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at him with teary eyes. Then I moved to hugged him. I didn't pay attention how much force I used so in the end we were on the ground with me on top. He seemed very surprised. I was clinging onto him as if my life depended on it.

"I'm…I'm s-so s-sorry…!" I buried my face into his shirt and was sobbing. I couldn't look into his eyes. "Now I remember everything. I'm sorry I-I said those things to you. I didn't mean them. I'm just…I-I'm s-sorry." I was broken. Everything seemed so out of control.

"Look at me, Liz!" But I shook my head.

"Look at me!" He said kinder. I slowly raised my head to look into those beautiful purple eyes. They didn't seem angry. No. Those eyes held happiness and Zero was looking at me so gently. He raised one of his hands and touched my cheek.

"It's ok. I'm not mad at you. I'm only angry at that son of a…"He sighed and took a deep breath to calm down. "The only person I blame is that bloody vampire. But everything's gonna be ok. I promise. Now that you're finally yourself again, nothing can stand in our way. We'll figure out what that leech wants from you and he will pay for the things he did." His words calmed me down. I got off of him and stood up. He did the same.

"So what now?" I asked.

"We'll go back and I want you to act as if nothing happened. I don't want him to get suspicious. Think you can do it?" I smiled.

"Yeah. I'll be ok."

"Good. I want you to take him somewhere where we can talk to him in private. Like…go with him to his room. Don't worry. I'll be there already. He won't do anything to you."

"Alright. See you there then. And Zero?"

"Hm?"

"Be careful, ok? Damien has someone on his side. I don't know who this person is but he's dangerous."

"I promise I'll be careful. Can you go back to the party alone?"

"Of course! I'm not retarded." I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"It's good to have you back, Liz." I hugged him.

"It's good to be back."

I was nervous. I could only hope that Damien wouldn't notice the change in my behaviour. After I cleaned my dress I went back to the party and acted as if nothing happened. And he seemed to buy it. I managed to convince him to follow me to his room, where I knew Zero was already waiting for us. He seemed to be ok with the idea. When I passed by Rima and Ruka, I nodded them as a sign of my thanks. And they smiled back.

When we went in, Damien sat down on his bed then told me to sit down next to him. And I did. I looked around in his huge room. The main colours were black and red. And there was a katana on the wall…Well, he IS an old fashioned guy.

I saw a shadow from the corner of my eyes. I knew it was Zero and smiled. It looked like as if I was smiling at Damien. He leaned closer and I thought he wanted to kiss me but he stopped inches away from my face, right when Zero moved and aimed his gun at him from behind.

"You know, I'm surprised you were able to break my control. Nobody was able to do that before." He said and my eyes widened. He grabbed into my hair and stood up to face Zero, pulling me up as well. I winced at the sudden pain but didn't say anything.

"Let her go!" said Zero watching his every move.

"Why should I? She's mine." Now that did it. Who the hell does he think he is?

"I AM NOT YOURS!" I tried to get free but he was too strong. After a while I gave up. "What the hell do you want from me anyway?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He leaned closer to my ear and whispered. "I want to destroy you." I shivered.

"But why?"

"Because I've been told to do so."

"By who?" Asked Zero joining in to the conversation.

"It doesn't matter. But to show how noble I am I tell you about your past Liz…Well, only if you want me to?" My past? Well, yeah. It'd be great to finally find out what happened. But I'm not sure it's a good idea to hear his twisted version of it.

"What do you know?" I asked him.

"Everything, sweetheart. Everything." In the meantime I was trying to come up with a plan to free myself. I looked at Zero and he lightly shook his head as if saying, not yet. "You were supposed to die years ago with your mother and sister. Your father killed someone who he shouldn't have and made a very powerful vampire angry. With that he made a big mistake. And it cost his life. And I was the lucky one who had the honour to destroy your family." He laughed." Isn't that funny? Now, many years later I'm here to finish my job. I didn't kill you back then, because I knew you'd be so much fun to play with. Plus I liked the way you killed your sister." I froze.

"What did you just say?" He chuckled.

"You heard me. You killed your own little sister."

"You're lying! I would have never hurt her!"

"Well, I admit you didn't have much of a choice since I manipulated her to attack you. But you were the one who stabbed her with a knife."

"NO! I don't believe you!" I felt like crying. It can't be true! No! Why is this happening to me? First I've been told my father was some vampire hunter and now I'm the killer of my sister? NO! It can't be true!

"Think whatever you want. It doesn't change what happened. And I guess it doesn't matter anymore, since tonight…Tonight you're going to die."

"Not if I can do anything about it." said Zero. His eyes were full of hatred. But when he looked at me it changed into concern.

"Oh, yes. The lovesick vampire boy. Or should I say vampire hunter? Which one do you prefer?" He smirked. "I can see why you feel so connected to her. You lost your family as well. But trust me! This girl isn't worth it."

"You're wrong. She IS worth it! She-"

"No. He's right." I said, looking at him. "I'm not worth it." Since I killed someone dear to me. I killed a living person.

"What the hell are you talking about, Liz? Don't believe a word what this monster said!" I shook my head.

"It's weird you know? I can feel he's telling the truth. I killed my sister. And maybe I was the one who…stabbed her, but he was the one who made me do it. And I won't let him get away with it." I kneed Damien on his stomach and freed myself from his grip. I throw myself to the ground just as Zero shot his first bullet at Damien. It hit him on his chest but he acted as if he didn't feel it at all. Maybe he didn't.

I stood up and ran towards Zero, who stepped in front of me protectively. We were in front of the window. The moon was shining brightly behind us.

Although we attacked him he didn't even try to hurt us.

"You're a small fly Kiryu, you can't hurt me." He stepped closer and Zero shot him again and again but it was no use.

"Shit!" He said and put away his gun. He was planning to kill him with his bare hands. I wanted to help but I knew I couldn't do anything. I'm just a human. And Damien's one of the most powerful vampires in the world. He would break my neck before I could even blink once.

Zero attacked Damien. He tried to punch him but the pureblood throw him to the wall with such force I was afraid, Zero died right there. His head was bleeding and he wasn't moving. I prayed for him to get up but he didn't. Then Damien turned around and smirked at me.

"Nobody's here to save you. It was good until it lasted but I've been told to stop playing with you and finish you off. Sorry. It's nothing personal."

"You're crazy. You let me live to entertain yourself and now, that you had your fun, you're just going to kill me?" I remembered the dagger that was attached to my thigh and took it into my hand. "Stay away from me!" But he just laughed.

"You think you can hurt me with that?"

"I don't know. But I can try."

"You know maybe your little boyfriend would have been able to hurt me… If he wouldn't be starving and all."

"Starving?"

"Well, you weren't around to give him blood, were you? He's weak."

"Maybe he's weak but I'm not." said a new voice. I looked behind Damien and saw Kaname. I looked back at Damien and he was grimacing. Then he turned to the other vampire.

"Kaname, what a pleasure! What can I do for you?"

"You could stop playing your insane game and let Liz go."

"Sorry, I can't do that. And I advise you to not to stand in my way. You should leave. You can't do anything. I'm a noble. You're not allowed to even touch me."

"You forget the fact, that I'm a noble too. I'm sure I won't get into trouble. You're trying to kill an innocent human. I have the right to stop you." He smirked. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to get rid of you, Damien. And now I will."

"As if you could." He snorted then looked at me." Don't go anywhere sweetheart, you'll be next." He winked then turned back to Kaname. Then he charged at him. They were so fast. I was barely able to see what they were doing. And they were strong. I could only stand there and watch. It was fascinating.

I don't know how long were they fighting but I could see Kaname was losing. I knew I have to do something and looked around in the room franticly to find something I could use as a weapon. I knew the dagger wouldn't be enough. Then my eyes caught on the Katana. It wasn't too far, so I went to get it. Thankfully it wasn't heavy at all. And what am I going to do now? They're still fighting. Then I noticed figure on the floor. Zero! I ran to him to see if he was alive. Then I sighed with relief. He was only unconscious. I looked back at the two purebloods and gasped. Kaname was on the ground bleeding hard and unconscious as well. Damien was hovering over him with a victorious smile.

"I told you, you can't kill me. But I WILL kill you." And that was the moment I decided to step in. I went behind Damien and raised my hand to kill cut his head off with the Katana but he turned around just in time and caught my hand. "And what do you think you're doing?" I cried out in pain, his grip was so strong I thought my wrist's going to break. I dropped the katana.

"If you want to die so badly, so be it." Ha grabbed my neck, pushed me to the wall and started chocking me. I couldn't breathe at all. But I could see his eyes. They hold madness. He let go of my neck but then I felt a piecing pain in my stomach. I looked down and saw he stabbed me with my own dagger. With the same dagger HE gave me to kill Zero when I have the opportunity. After a few seconds the world started to fade and I knew this was the end. Interestingly, Damien's movements seemed to slow down. I was not sure if I was seeing things because of the pain, or something had happened to him.

But then he wasn't in front of me anymore. I was coughing as I sank to the floor but I was able keep my eyes open. Damien was dead, his head a few meters away from him. It was caught off. Zero was standing in front of me with the bloody katana in his hand. And Kaname was getting up as well.

I heard Zero calling my name and I wanted to answer him but no words came out of my mouth. He threw the katana to the ground and ran to me. He was looking at me with worried eyes. I smiled at him as I let myself fall into the darkness. At least he's alive.