Chapter 12: Zero's Purpose
Zero sat quietly against the leather seat and idly watched the passing trees as they went by. Shizuka sat just across from him, observing the solemn look displaying on her servant's face. It has already been three days since the party hosted by the Vampire Council ended in tragedy. Yet, that didn't stop the pureblood herself from spilling more acid on Zero's life by revealing that he was to be attending Cross Academy and that Kaname Kuran was to be his care taker in his master's absence. It was something Zero was not looking forward to, especially since it was Zero's other self that received the information and made it perfectly clear to its host how excited he was.
"Are you still upset, Zero?" Shizuka asked.
Zero didn't bother to turn around as he answered, because he knew Shizuka was having fun at his expense. "I was never upset to begin with, Shizuka-sama."
"Now there you go lying again." Shizuka leaned forward. "You should be happy, you know. You can finally attend school with your own kind."
Zero knew that there was a double meaning to what Shizuka said. Yet, knowing the dirty game she played, he didn't heed to her clear insult to what he was.
"…And I thank you for that." Zero retorted back evenly with a smile, making Shizuka become slightly annoyed at how the outcome of her insult didn't go the way she wanted it to.
'You're becoming too easy to read, Shizuka.' Zero thought to himself and turned to face the window again. "Are we almost there?"
"Yes, we just have to pass this market area and then we're there." Shizuka answered.
"I see…" Zero murmured then went quiet again.
It had been quite some time since Zero had been in an area filled with more humans than vampires. In fact, the last time he could recall being in a human populated area was back during his childhood where his parents use to take him and Ichiru with them to do some shopping. Though that only happened when Zero's condition was good enough for him to go, otherwise he would have to wait home until they returned.
Zero sighed. Oddly enough, whenever he thought of his deceased parents and younger brother, Zero didn't feel an ounce bit concerned or guilty, even knowing that the cause of their demise was his fault. He felt empty, as if every emotion had disappeared. Sometimes Zero even wondered if he even had a heart and unconsciously would place his hand at the center of his chest to feel if it still pulsed inside him.
"Zero…" Shizuka called, startling Zero from his own musing at the closeness her voice came from.
Zero turned his head to the left to where his master was now sitting beside him on the leather seat. "Yes?"
"You have not forgotten the reason of your enrollment at Cross Academy?"
Zero shook his head as he recalled the conversation between his other self and Shizuka the night they rode home from the Council's dinner party.
"I assume you will explain my sudden enrollment at the school Kuran Kaname-sama attains, won't you?" Zero questioned.
"Am I obligated to do so?"
"No, but don't you think my host and I deserve some sort of explanation as to what you're planning?"
Shizuka shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose you do…since you two play a major part in it all."
Zero looked on with suspicions as he quietly listened to Shizuka explain her reasoning.
"Earlier I confessed to Kaname-san my intentions of having you enrolled at Cross Academy…"
Zero somehow didn't seem surprised by that confession.
"…And our dear Kaname-san is willing to look on with a blind eye as you gather information concerning the council and their movements and deliver it to me. Asato Ichjirou makes an appearance at Cross Academy once every month to discuss the progress of the night class with Kaname-san as well as some personal and more private matters. Kaname-san is willing to allow you to take part in their meeting as his guard."
"So that's why you're so willing to have Kaname-sama become my care-taker while I'm at that school?"
"Exactly…I need you to willingly become a pawn to Kaname Kuran. Become as useful to him as he needs and at the same time I want you to find out everything you can about him and his intentions. However, I do not want you to report them to me, since it will be too suspicious if you do. Though there is something important that I do want you to do."
"And that is…?"
"My informant within the night class has informed me of a rather interesting discovery concerning Kaname-san. It appears that Kaname-san is showing a human girl lots of his attention…"
"So you want me to get as close to her as possible and see if she can be useful to you?"
"You catch on quite quickly, don't you?" Shizuka smirked. "…But I expected as much coming from Zero's other half."
Zero forced a half smile and pondered to himself about everything his master was telling him. To the other half controlling Zero, all this didn't seem to bother him, yet a feeling of uneasiness was starting to settle in his and his host's mind that all this was not going to go as Shizuka would expect it would. He felt as if Kaname was a person not to be reckoned with, as if he had another trick up his sleeve and Zero was the center of it all.
"Alright, I understand. However, what would happen if all this ended in an unsuspecting outcome?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Honestly speaking, I just don't think Kaname-sama would just fall into step without at least struggling first."
"But, that's where that girl comes in. She is Kaname-san's Achilles' heel. So find a way to get close to her and use her."
Zero nodded, though deep down he still had his doubts.
"Ah, one more thing I wish to mention to you." Shizuka started as she remembered something. "I will also like you to keep a close eye on Kaname-san's right-hand-man, Takuma Ichjirou. I think having him as a close acquaintance will be very beneficial to us."
Zero nodded again and for the rest of that drive home, he didn't say one word.
"Zero…Zero did you hear what I just said?" Shizuka asked as she realized that Zero's mind was elsewhere.
Zero looked at his master blankly before apologizing.
"I was discussing how to go about your feeding sessions. As you know I will be away visiting an old distant relative of mine and while I'm away I won't be able to provide you with the pure-blood you'll need to be able to sustain the beast within you. I am quite surprised Kaname-san didn't notice your change in attitude the night of the Council's party. Though, however, I am highly upset that you revealed your other self to Sara Shirabuki…"
Zero felt a nervous chill run down his spine at Shizuka's serious tone in the way she voiced out the last part.
"Forgive me; I had no intention of giving myself away."
A chuckle resounded in his head, making Zero unconsciously narrow his eyes.
Shizuka stared at Zero briefly before placing her hand on top of Zero's head. "It seems like he's gaining more control over you than before." Shizuka gave a sad smile. "No worries, he has yet to gain control. Now, about my replacement…I will send someone in my place to continue on with your weekly feeding sessions. So, how does that sound?"
Zero sighed and grabbed the hand Shizuka placed on his head and brought it towards his lips. His deep scarlet colored eyes stared at her unwavering gaze. Sympathy, pity, and hatred told volumes in her eyes as she stared at Zero who slowly was losing a battle with his other self over control of his conscious mind. It was times like these Zero would recall the night he first met Shizuka underneath the blooming Sakura tree. Her eyes and gentle hands had soothed his tearful eyes when no one else did.
Yet, like the rest it was fake, nothing but a way to control his shattered physique. Every last one of them was the same, all out to use him and then dispose of him like a piece of trash. Even Kaname Kuran was the same, seeing him as nothing but a useful toy.
But, Zero refused to continue to play the fool. He had his own musings, his own ideas and soon he will play them out for all to see. So for now he will become the pawn, he will be played, but he will not lose.
Zero forced down a chuckle as he gripped tightly on the hand he was holding before sinking his fangs into his master's wrist. Zero subconsciously wondered, if victory would be this sweet and if so, he would do anything to obtain it.
TBC…
A/N: Oh my, Zero is starting to have his own plans! Hmm...I wonder if anyone can guess what it is?
But anyways, I hope you enjoyed this calm before the storm chapter. Because in chapter 13, Zero will come face to face with his temporary master, as well as the whole night class. Things will get really hot and juicy in the next chapter between Kaname and Zero...but, that's all I'll say on the matter. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination. Hehe (^_^)
Like always, please a reveiw and tell me what you think.
