Chapter 17
Kaname lay on his bed as he mused over what happened last Friday. It had been a week since then, it's Saturday now, but he still couldn't help but think about it so much. He found himself smiling in the darkness as he remembered how he handed an invitation card to the three hunters. He closed his eyes as he licked his lips sensually, reminiscing the intoxicating flavor of Zero's skin and the taste of the hunter's blood. A low growl full of want escaped his lips just as he felt his eyes turn crimson once more. He'd been doing that for a week now and he knew that he was already far from recovering. He'd fallen deep into an abyss, it seemed.
He sighed before he chuckled bitterly. "It seems I've fallen for you without even realizing it… you stubborn hunter." He covered his eyes with his arm as he gritted his teeth. Now he had more problems than he originally thought. If he was indeed feeling what he thought he was feeling, then he'd most probably lose his cool more than just once starting from now on. Just like that night a week ago… when Maria first transferred.
The moment that girl Maria spoke of how she'd tear Zero to shreds once she finished drinking up all of his blood, the brunette immediately lost it and in an instant clawed her face, frightening everyone in the vicinity. He'd originally intended to only slap her for her rudeness but his anger made him do much more than that. Thick pureblood's blood filled the air just as Maria lunged forward to attack him too. The fight was only stopped when the two reached a silent decision to get Zero first. Of course, everything in sight was broken – glass windows, walls, floors, furniture – and everyone was shaking in fear right after that. And their fight didn't end with just that night. For the past few days now, they'd wanted nothing but to slit each other's throat every time they were in the same room.
His chocolate eyes turned crimson when he felt the presence, making him stand up too. He went out of his room and onto the office adjoining the room, where he could see the face of the one who'd most likely ruin his reputation as a calm and collected pureblood member of the Council.
"Good evening, Kuran." The voice didn't come from the door. Instead, Kaname had to turn around to see Maria beside the window smiling coldly at him. "I see you've taken a liking to my child as well."
"Didn't you say so yourself that you can't feel anything from him? How can you even call him your child?" Kaname smiled as well, making the room turn some degrees colder than earlier. "Besides, right from the start, I have been the one who stands up as his parent. I'm the one who feeds him. You don't have any right over Zero, Kurenai-san. Or rather, Shizuka Hiou-san."
Maria chuckled at that. "I wonder… He might not have some connection to me." And her eyes turned crimson as well, mirroring Kaname's very well. "But he surely has some connection to the one who sent me here. And believe me. That man has more connection to Zero than to any of you here."
Kaname's smile vanished at that, replacing it with a cold expression. "Oh? And who might that person be?"
"It's a… secret." She laughed out loud when she felt how Kaname's aura darkened a little bit more. "Oh, it'll be your birthday tomorrow, right, Kuran? Shall we give you a nice birthday gift?"
The brunette clenched his fists enough to draw blood. "I'm grateful for the offer. But I believe I'll have to refuse."
"It's our gift so why not just accept it with open arms? It's not Zero though." Maria giggled in her childish manner before she vanished in the blink of an eye. Kaname's eyebrows furrowed at that. He thought that somehow, Maria suddenly felt childlike in presence. It wasn't the case when she first came here.
The pureblood immediately called Takuma in the room after that. When the guy came inside, he was not at all cheerful like always. He could feel the intense air together with the unmistakable scent of another pureblood vampire.
"Kaname, you called for me?" He said as an introduction. He smiled politely when the brunette told him to seat.
Kaname put a pill in a glass and it slowly dissolved in the water before the brunette drank it. He preferred his drinks like that and not in the pill-form. "I want you to investigate Maria Kurenai's background. And also, how she is connected to the pureblood Shizuka Hiou."
"Yes, Kaname." Takuma smiled again before he left, not wanting to stay in the suffocating room any longer than his body could carry.
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Zero sighed. He wanted to keep on running to at least take his mind off things. First, Kaname gave him an invitation to the pureblood's 21st birthday party to be held tomorrow night. Yuzuru and Cross also got an invitation but they both couldn't make it – Yuzuru didn't want to have anything to do with the vampires and Cross would be busy. He sighed. Kaname was the one person who could make him think so early in the morning even though he's sleep deprived.
Before he knew it, it had been a week and the pureblood's birthday was already tomorrow. But he's not thirsty at all because Kaname once gave him blood last Wednesday so he's happy… for now at least. He's also happy at the fact that he didn't have to hide from Cross and Yuzuru anymore. He knew that his senpai was reporting everything to his master so it was accounted that Yagari already knew everything as well... and maybe even more.
He really wanted to think about things, and to continue thinking about certain things. It's already been two weeks and still there's no reply to his report. It was making him feel panic. There's also the fact about him turning into a Level E. And now that he thought about it, he asked Cross to shoot him if he suddenly turned into a Level E. Zero closed his eyes as he furrowed his eyebrows. He just made his uncle promise to kill him… No wonder Cross would look so sorrowful whenever he'd bring up that topic.
He sighed. How idiotic and heartless could he be? And now, he wanted to run for all eternity just so he could think about all of his problems. And maybe, just maybe, when he got to wherever he would go, he'd finally be able to find a solution. And yet, and yet, why was there someone preventing him to even think?
"Didn't I already tell you not to follow me?" He voiced as he continued to run inside the campus field. "You've been following me for a week now. Why not bother someone else?"
"Tch." A reply he knew so well came from behind. "I just want you to know that if it weren't for Kaname-sama, I'd never even think of following you!"
"Right." He made sure his sarcasm was so thick Aido could taste it. "So, why does your boss want me spied?" He bit his lower lip at his choice of word.
"Because some pureblood might suddenly snatch you…" The blonde mumbled , more to himself than to his companion. "Anyway, why are you running so early in the morning? It's Saturday, you know! You shouldn't be hanging around here without any bodyguard!"
"So, Maria Kurenai might snatch me, huh?" The hunter merely arched an eyebrow at the blonde, making Aido growl. Well, if he wanted Aido to spill everything, he shouldn't ask at all. He needed to just annoy the hell out of the blonde so the latter would talk non-stop and spill everything on his own.
"I'm serious!" Aido yelled and immediately ran to catch up to the silver-haired teen's pace. "She's really so into you, you know! All throughout the week all she's been talking about was you. Kaname-sama even went to the point of–, no, I shouldn't…"
"So, what did he do?" Zero asked nonchalantly, preventing himself from grinning. Aido was so easy to read.
Aido scowled. "You're just messing with me, aren't you?" And Zero did something that made his eyes widen before he stopped running completely. Zero… He chuckled. "D-Did you just..?" And hell, Zero looked more gorgeous when he did that.
"What?" Zero's scowl returned before he started jogging again. "I'm hungry…"
"…Then let's eat there." Aido pointed at the school cafeteria when he recovered from Zero-induced daze. Zero arched an eyebrow at him before the hunter followed suit.
Aido ordered the same meal as Zero, though he didn't order the same drink. The two ate quietly since Zero wasn't the type to be talkative, especially when he's eating. Aido brought out a small bottle of blood pills and swallowed some before he gulped a mouthful of water after he finished his breakfast.
"So… what did Kurenai do that made Kuran mad?" Zero asked nonchalantly as he drank his milk. Aido, having his guard a bit down, immediately told him everything. He told Zero about how Kaname warned Maria not to talk about the Day Class students in that way, as if they were nothing but food. And then the pureblood lost his cool when the girl didn't act like she heard him and still continued. All throughout the week the atmosphere inside the Moon Dorm had been intensely dark. The hunter was even surprised that the brunette pureblood acted like that for him. Aido said that the subject of Maria's obsession was mainly Zero, but it still angered Kaname greatly. Was Kaname really so into the idea of co-existence? Now that the teen thought about it, Yuuki had become human so it was kind of necessary for the two of them to co-exist. But Cross said that even the pureblood's parents were like that. He heaved a deep sigh when he finished his milk. Maybe… just maybe… Kaname wasn't so bad after all… except that he's a pervert.
Zero couldn't help but smile. Maybe… just maybe… he could trust Kaname.
"Don't smile on your own like that. You're creeping me out." Aido pointed out, forcing the hunter out of his thoughts, though Zero thought he saw a tinge of red on the blonde's cheeks.
The teen was about to smirk when he saw Yuzuru outside the cafeteria together with Yuuki. He saw how the girl seemed to really have taken a liking to his senpai. Too bad it seemed Yuzuru wasn't as observant as he was. Yuuki had been trying to get the brunette hunter's attention all throughout the week but Yuzuru was just so numb sometimes… and so dumb too. The silver-haired hunter's eyes darted once more to Aido, only to see the other looking at him oddly. "What?" The hunter asked.
"So… Kaname-sama told us not to ask you anything. But…" The blonde looked like he's struggling with words. Zero only arched an eyebrow at him while he waited for Aido to get over his word block. "Well, are you really drinking from him?" Zero stiffened immediately as he looked at the blonde with guarded eyes. "Don't get angry! We should be the one to get angry, you know!" The blonde scowled as he sighed again. "Okay, okay. I get it, it's none of my business what our leader wants to do with his blood. But that blood is sacred, Zero. You shouldn't just…"
"Well, look at the time…" Zero was starting to stand up since he didn't want to hear any lecture regarding the sanctity of Kaname's blood. He didn't want to hear any accusation or one-sided argument from the blonde either. That'd be too troublesome.
"Hey! I'm still talking!" Aido shouted, making other students who also ate in the cafeteria look in their direction.
"So, you and the others knew all along." Zero now understood. No wonder no one ever thought the scent of Kaname's blood in the air was strange.
"No, Kaname-sama didn't tell us anything." Aido pouted, as if that fact alone saddened him. "We figured it out on our own. But we knew that Kaname-sama was the one who wanted that so we just grit our teeth whenever we inhale the scent of his blood in the air." Zero sat again, not really wanting to draw any more attention to themselves. "You know… you're the first person to have ever bitten him." The hunter's eyes widened at that, making Aido indignant. "What? You think Kaname-sama will let himself be bitten by just anyone!?"
"Okay, fine. I get all that." Zero stood up to order more bottle of milk before he sat down the chair again. "And your point is?"
"Please stop taking his blood." Aido really looked pleading and Zero couldn't help but sigh. "You can take my blood any time you want. But please stop taking his blood."
"Aido, do you know what he made me promise the first time I drank his blood?" Zero asked as he started drinking his second bottle of milk. Aido only scowled before he shook his head. "He made me promise to drink only from him starting from then on. And I'm not allowed to back out on that."
"But that's..!" Aido stood up from his seat, obviously surprised and annoyed at the same time.
"If you have any problem with how we do things, then you can just tell him directly." Zero finished his bottle of milk before standing up too. "It's not me who proposed that idea. It was him." And he started walking. "Besides, I don't think I would want your blood, Aido."
"W-What's that supposed to mean? Hey!" Aido immediately waved goodbye at his fans with a smile, making the girls squeal in delight and wave goodbye to him as well, before he immediately followed after the hunter. "Wait for me, Kiryuu!" He saw Yuuki and Yuzuru talking side by side on one of the benches and arched an eyebrow at them when they didn't even seem to notice him. Well, if Yuuki's with that guy, then she'd probably be safe for the whole day. And now that he thought about it, Zero's a hunter. So why was a vampire like him protecting a vampire hunter?
He sighed.
His Kaname-sama was truly a mysterious man to have given him that kind of task.
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Kaname smiled at his friend's fast action. "So you've investigated the matter immediately, huh." He sipped from his wine glass before he sat in a relaxed manner on his chair.
"Maria, according to the information I gathered, is a pureblood whose parents died because of another pureblood." Takuma sat on the couch with the file folder in his hands. "She is very sickly from the day she was born. Right now, she's under the protection of the Council. The only one who takes care of her in her huge mansion is her butler and servant Ritsu Tanaka, the one who also came here together with her."
"How about her relationship to Shizuka Hiou?" Kaname asked, mind already reeling for answers.
"I believe there isn't any information about their relationship, Kaname." Takuma answered as he looked at the file. "From my point-of-view, there really isn't any relationship between them."
Kaname smirked at that. "Yes, there is. They are both being taken care of by the Council." His eyes became colder as he continued. "They're both being used by the Council since they are both weak purebloods who don't have any family members left to defend them. Shizuka Hiou might be strong in power, but she is mentally unstable. Maria Kurenai is weak in both physical and power wise."
Takuma blinked, not really understanding what he meant. Kaname hadn't told any of them yet that Maria Kurenai's body was possessed by Shizuka Hiou right now. The female vampire seemed to have the power to do that. But last night Maria seemed more childlike than the other days. The brunette wasn't sure yet. But if Maria consented to have Shizuka possess her body, then that would be a different matter. But no one knew about why Shizuka transferred here in the first place except him. It's because Zero's here.
He'd never let her harm Zero.
"One more thing, Kaname." Takuma looked disturbed, making Kaname crease his eyebrows. "Rido Kuran seems to be gathering a lot of vampires. I believe that the Council was the one that resurrected him." Kaname gritted his teeth at the news, momentarily forgetting the nearer enemy. "Kaname, I found information that he's looking for someone. Don't worry. It's not Yuuki." The blonde smiled reassuringly. Only he among Kaname's vampire friends knew about the secret fact that Yuuki was the pureblood's younger sister since he already personally knew the brunette even before the tragedy that had befallen the Kurans.
Kaname was about to say something when he suddenly looked behind him, where the window is. "Seiren, what news have you brought?"
"I've found something extremely important about Zero Kiryuu, Kaname-sama." Her voice and expression looked extremely serious, making Kaname focus his attention on her. Takuma was also surprised to hear her words. No one knew that Kaname was investigating Zero except the teen himself, Cross, and Seiren. And now that the secret was out, he let her start without bothering to make Takuma leave first.
"W-What… do you mean..?" Takuma voiced, eyes wide with shock after Seiren finished telling the information that she gathered. Kaname could only stare at her in disbelief. He didn't know that given so much time, a whole week in particular, Seiren could gather that much information. Now, he didn't know if he'd be able to face Zero without making an odd expression on his face.
Seiren bowed before she vanished into thin air, leaving both males stunned with her information.
"Kaname, I didn't know you're investigating his past…" Takuma started, still a little shocked of what they just learned. "Does he even know those things?"
Kaname chuckled hollowly. "Judging from the way he's associated himself with us until now, I doubt it." He sat on the couch too. "But I told him I'm doing some investigation about his background. The only thing that prevents me from telling him anything is the Chairman."
Takuma chuckled. "No wonder Zero attracts all of us nobles."
Kaname smirked as well. Now that he's recovered from the shock, he'd be able to think about it rationally. "No wonder Shizuka doesn't feel any connection from him." Now he knew he had the chance to win against her. He'd also be able to answer now if ever Zero asked about the 'traitor' title. But he doubted Zero would appreciate the truth about his past, not to mention his identity. It saddened him knowing the truth and yet not being able to help Zero know about it. Zero might lose it if he learned… "Takuma–"
"I know, Kaname." Takuma smiled. "I won't tell anybody, not even Zero himself. Despite him being a hunter, he's been closer to us than anybody in quite a while. I won't be careless with such information." And then his face contorted into that of worry. "Are you going to tell him?"
Kaname smiled at him before he shook his head. "I'll tell him only the things that won't make him want to end his life."
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Zero nibbled on his lower lip absentmindedly as he walked the busy streets of the town. Aido was still following him but the blonde had been nice enough to give him some space for they were at least two meters apart. Yes, that's the only space Aido wanted to give him. He sighed as he thought of how the blonde would start his endless speech again if he ever requested for more.
"So, what are you looking for?" He heard Aido speak when he leaned on one of the glass windows of a jewelry shop. So much for his space…
"I'm looking for something." Zero answered absentmindedly, earning him a WTF face from Aido due to his answer, which made him smirk in return.
Actually, he's trying to see if there was something he'd be able to give to Kaname for the pureblood's birthday tomorrow. Like he said earlier, it had already been a week before he knew it and he still hadn't bought Kaname a gift. But since he was the type to simply greet people during their birthdays and also someone who never cared at all about gifts, he didn't know what others normally give as present. He sighed. Why was he even wasting his time looking for something? It's just Kaname anyway. He scowled at himself for acting like one of those fan girls who always do their best to impress their loved ones.
It's not as if Kaname was someone special… It's just that he wanted to give the pureblood something for all those bloods that he took for granted.
"Oh, by the way, it's Kaname-sama's 21st birthday tomorrow, Kiryuu." Aido said as he suddenly remembered to at least tell the hunter. "You better give him something, you know!"
"It's none of my business." He scowled, not really on the verge of spilling the reason why he's looking at the jewelries on the glass window just yet. "You should look for your own gift instead of telling me to buy one."
"Hah! I already have one! I bought it about a month ago!" Aido looked proud of himself and Zero couldn't help but sigh. If only his pride wasn't that high, he would've already asked the blonde about Kaname's likes and dislikes. Well, there's still Yuuki to ask but…
Zero's eyes widened as he stopped moving completely. He could feel someone calling him not too far from where they were. Aido seemed to have realized the difference in the hunter's aura as well so he immediately spoke. "Kiryuu? Oy, Kiryuu!"
However, Zero didn't seem to hear him as the hunter immediately left the blonde in the middle of the busy street to go to that place, the place where he met that person for the second time.
Aido immediately chased after the hunter, also in vampire speed. He didn't know what happened, but one second Zero was at peace while looking at the jewelries, and the next he was in high apprehension before he ran off to that same church at the outskirt of the town. "Kiryuu!" He called after the hunter, but Zero was way too fast to even hear him. He didn't know Zero was that fast. Or rather, he didn't know a mere Level D could surpass a noble vampire in speed, even if that Level D was a hunter.
Zero stopped in front of the church, eyes glowing red all of a sudden from the hostile air that greeted him. Aido appeared behind him after several seconds, not really knowing what the hell was happening. All the blonde could feel was the intensely hostile air and the presence of at least two other hunters in the vicinity.
Zero gritted his teeth. He didn't know that that hunter had some companion. Did that mean the Association was indeed behind everything..? His eyes widened when one of them actually showed himself in front of him. He remembered the presence as one of the two hunters who visited over a week ago. He scowled when he remembered their alibi. The other one, the one who shot him with that bullet over a month ago, remained hidden from sight.
"Zero Kiryuu of the Elite Force, you are by now relieved from your mission." The man in black cloak and black mask voiced. Zero knew the man's voice from somewhere but he couldn't place it. "You are charged for withholding information regarding the vampire activities in Cross Academy as well as withholding information about yourself. You truly are the son of that man. Like father like son. Because of that, the Association has given that mission to someone else." He tossed a yellow envelope to the silver-haired teen. The color of the envelope meant that the letter was that of a mission failure notice.
Zero 's eyes widened at the fact that the hunter had involved his father to his actions. It aggravated him a lot. He did his best to not crumple the envelope in front of them.
"W-What mission?" Aido asked the hunter as he stared at the cloaked man. "Kiryuu?"
"Don't worry, Kiryuu." The man continued, aware of the anger boiling inside the hunter as they spoke. He didn't even acknowledge Aido's presence. "You are still a hunter so be prepared for your next mission."
Zero knew, even if he couldn't see the man's face, that the other was smirking as he spoke. It angered him so much. He's been doing his best to report everything even though he felt like an ass for stomping on Cross and the others' trust. And yet, this was all he'd receive? He's relieved from his mission without even contacting him. Heck, they didn't even bother to give him any kind of formality. And now, they sent these two to give him the result of his fruitless attempt at espionage?
"This is your new mission." The hunter tossed a red envelope towards the hunter before disappearing in hunter speed together with the other hunter inside the church.
The hunter gritted his teeth as he clutched the envelope tightly. He couldn't believe his own family of hunters would treat him like this…
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Kaname growled when he felt the unwelcome but nevertheless familiar presence of another pureblood inside his room. And yet, it was different from the female pureblood's usual presence. "What are you doing here?"
A chuckle similar to a ringing bell greeted his ears just as the pureblood appeared from beside the window. "Good evening, Kuran-kun." He didn't even let her see his surprise when instead of Maria, he saw Shizuka Hiou instead. It seemed she appeared before him using her real body, sitting on the windowpane with so much grace and elegance only befitted for a pureblood like her. Her long silvery hair seemed to be floating with the wind as she flicked some of its strands. She smiled when the brunette vampire tried to use intimidation against her by letting his dark aura cover the entire room. "I believe that's not needed anymore, Kuran-kun. I found out something the other day, you know. It seems Zero will not be mine after all."
Kaname's eyebrows furrowed at that. "He won't be. That's a fact."
She chuckled again, sounding so amused and yet sounding so serious at the same time. "Kuran-kun, I believe the same goes for you." She moved from the windowpane to the couch just beside Kaname, making the other male growl at her again. "But you still have a chance to make him yours, Kuran-kun."
Kaname looked at the female pureblood in a calculative manner before he decided to take the bait. "And what might that be?" He smiled coldly. As if he'd let her lure him into a trap.
"There's something I want you to do. And if you did that perfectly, I'm going to tell you." Shizuka smiled as well, though her eyes looked pleading.
"Really?" The brunette stood up and went to the wine bar to pour both Shizuka and him some wine. It's part of the formality all purebloods shared. "What do you want me to do?"
Shizuka laughed at that. "I can't believe you're willing to hear me out, Kuran-kun. Is this that boy's influence to you when you just knew him for a month or so?" When she saw Kaname's cold gaze, however, she waved her hand, as if dismissing what she said before she continued again. Her eyes turned suddenly serious before she spoke in a relatively cold manner. "I want you to kill someone for me."
Kaname sat on the couch in front of the female pureblood and handed her the wine glass. "If it's Rido Kuran, your former lover, then I'll only be too happy to do so."
"That was a good proposal." Shizuka laughed again. "Unfortunately, it's someone a lot closer than that person."
Kaname's eyes narrowed at that, still speaking in his cool but detached voice. "Oh? Who is it then?"
"…Me." Shizuka's tone alone spoke volumes as she said the word. Kaname's face was full of disbelief that she had to laugh again, though hollowed this time. "It's a good proposition, right? You need my power to fight Rido. I'll let you have my blood as long as you'd finish me in the end. I need you to kill me. You're used to doing that, right? Killing vampires that comes in your way, that is. And there's no need to worry about the Council. I had Maria pass a dropping form last Friday. She's already in the south by now. Even if the Council investigates this, there will be no link to you at all."
This time, it was Kaname who laughed hollowly. "What makes you think I'm willing to go to such length for your power? Don't give me such a sickening joke, Hiou-san. Why are you doing this?"
"I'm serious, Kuran-kun." Shizuka's wine glass shattered when she put a little pressure on it. The expensive wine that Kaname poured on the glass earlier now slowly spread out on the table and down to the carpeted flooring. "I don't want to come back to that asylum anymore. The only reason why I am here is to see Zero. But it seems the one who brought me here has a larger plan than that. I don't want to be used for it. I'm a proud pureblood and I won't let anyone use me while I gain nothing. I don't want to go back to that place. If the only way to freedom is death, then so be it." Her voice had turned deadly by the end of her statement.
Kaname glanced at the shattered glass on the floor and the spilt wine before he eyed Shizuka again, though the pureblood had already vanished in that instant. He put his own glass down but he didn't make any move to stand up or even to look behind him. "Hiou-san, please refrain from even trying to attack me. I can kill you if you really want. But there's one thing I want to know."
Shizuka's long fingernails stopped just a mere millimeter from his throat at the end of his sentence. "What is it?"
"Who sent you here?" Kaname didn't look bothered at all even though there were sharp fingernails about to slit his throat. "If you'll tell me the truth–"
"I don't know who." Shizuka answered. "Rido was the one who appeared back then so I thought he's the one using me. But it seems it's someone else. I don't want to have anything to do with any of them anymore. My blood is my gift for your birthday, Kuran-kun. Please kill me."
"…Alright." Kaname merely said as he stood up within millisecond and faced the female pureblood. He pierced Shizuka's chest with his own hand, eyes glowing crimson at the sight of thick pureblood's blood. Shizuka gritted her teeth when she felt the pain, but she merely bit her lip. She didn't even make any sound. It's what she'd been wishing all along… to die. Finally, she'd be able to be with her lover… Kaname opened his mouth just as his fangs elongated. He sank the two long incisors in Shizuka's neck, sucking the rich blood inside her.
The brunette's eyes turned detached again as he drank from another pureblood. He's so used to killing vampires, ordinary vampires, Level Es, and even noble ones. But it was the first time he'd be killing a pureblood. It somehow stirred something dark inside him. Guilt perhaps..?
"T-Thank… you…" Shizuka smiled, her eyes finally beginning to lose their light. She then smiled as she whispered the next words. "The means to get Zero… is to have his heart…" Kaname's heart throbbed painfully at that.
He continued drinking until he felt the female's body slacken. He felt full, but strangely unsatisfied, when he finally emptied her of the blood that ran through her veins. He muttered an apology as well as gratitude when she slowly turned into a red crystal-like structure before exploding into millions of tiny sparkling bits and pieces.
He gently wiped his mouth after he finished, aware that he'd just ended the life of another pureblood. The consequence for such an action, even for him, would be dire. He's fully aware of Shizuka's condition inside the Council's 'care'. But not even he as a pureblood could do anything about it, not that he even cared for her in the first place. Although, now that she was finally able to get away from that asylum forever, he felt that he needed to fulfill his promise to her. He'd kill the one who sent her there in the first place – the man he truly hated to the core, Rido Kuran. He already promised to himself that he'd kill the man. Now, he knew he needed to do it sooner.
And also, now that he thought about it, Shizuka said that there was someone else who made her go to Cross Academy in the first place. If that person was in cahoots with Rido, then he now has another problem to deal with.
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The moon was covered by a dark cloud and everything was so quiet Zero could hear the beating of his own heart. He looked outside his window when he felt Shizuka's presence slowly disappeared inside the Moon Dorm. His eyes narrowed as he contemplated on its meaning. Did Shizuka leave? He doubted that. Was she killed then? Most probably. But only Kaname would be able to kill another pureblood as powerful as her. Would he? He didn't feel any killing intent from Kaname and he also didn't feel that a fight ensued. Would he trust his instinct?
Aside from him, Aido and the others also felt the unmistakable death of a pureblood just some floors above theirs. They didn't know if it was Kaname or if the pureblood herself ended her life.
The silver-haired hunter sat on his bed as he looked inside his envelope. He could just ask Kaname tomorrow night about Shizuka Hiou, at the party. For now, there was something more important than that. He sighed as he looked at the letter from the Association. It had been bad when Aido questioned him about that earlier. He managed to tell Aido a bit without making the blonde aggravated, but it nevertheless offended Aido a lot.
"I know I don't have the right to question your activity, since you're a hunter, Kiryuu." Aido shrugged. "I know you might not like it, but I'm glad you're relieved from the mission. I don't want to have to kill you if you tell them any information that might be disadvantageous to us vampires."
"I only reported the things that I found." Zero answered after a while, not really sure if Aido wouldn't really attack him for spying on Kaname. It seemed the blonde had shown him some sort of patience that he didn't know the blonde had. "I've reported nothing that might be bothersome to you all, I think. And don't worry. I'm relieved so I won't be doing any espionage anymore."
"I'll definitely tell Kaname-sama about that secret mission of yours, Kiryuu! I hope he decides not to share his blood to you anymore!" Aido scowled before he vanished, running towards the town again in vampire speed. Zero immediately took back what he said about patience and Aido.
"Do as you wish." He shrugged before he also ran in vampire speed, leaving the place without bothering to look back.
He sighed as he started reading the letter inside the red envelope. When he finished, he shut his eyes closed before he heaved a deep sigh. He would have a mission on Monday afternoon. Of course, he didn't have to read the yellow envelope to know the content since the hunter from earlier had been so generous, telling him everything with an added bonus of insults.
He sighed again as he burned the two envelopes, for secrecy's sake, before he went to his bed and slept. He just hoped Kaname wouldn't suddenly barge into his room right now and kill him for his attempted espionage.
It was already Sunday noon when he woke up. He walked out of his room and went to the kitchen to eat lunch. It seems his body was getting used to sleeping during the day and having too much energy during nighttime. He even yawned as he expected to see Cross in his apron, as how he usually saw the man every time he woke up. What he saw, however, made his eyes widen as he immediately closed his eyes and cleared his throat.
Both Yuzuru and Yuuki immediately broke up their kiss, feeling too embarrassed to be caught by Zero of all people. "Zero, I can explain." Yuzuru was the one who pleaded him.
"Wha–? Why?" Zero arched an eyebrow at him, obviously confused and perplexed not with the situation earlier but with his senpai's reaction. He didn't know what the big deal was about seeing the two of them kissing. It's not as if he had forbidden them to do that. He didn't know why his senpai looked guilty while Yuuki looked sorry. She also looked too embarrassed to even voice anything.
"W-Well… we know you might like Yuuki… and I… just snatched her away from you even though I promised to make it so that she'll like you too… I'm really sorry, Zero." Yuzuru really looked apologetic that Zero couldn't help but laugh. Yes, he laughed out loud, making the two stare at him with half confused and half dumbfounded expressions.
"Yuzuru, I never told you I have any romantic feelings for Yuuki." Zero said when he finally recovered, feeling a little embarrassed that he actually broke out laughing in front of them, or in front of somebody else for that matter. "You're the only one who immediately assumed that."
"B-But..!" Yuzuru looked confused now, and his eyes narrowed. The only people that Zero cared about in Cross Academy were Yuuki, Cross, and maybe the vampires Kaname and Aido. And yet Zero looked truly happy to be in this school. The only female Zero cared for was Yuuki so he immediately assumed his kouhai might have some romantic feelings for the girl. That's why no matter how Yuuki tried to get the brunette hunter's attention, he never tried to reciprocate her feelings in any kind of way. Because he loved Zero like a younger brother, Yuzuru didn't want the teen to feel like he, an older brother, stole Yuuki. And he was even so guilty he didn't know what to do when he realized he might also feel the same about the girl.
Zero yawned before he sat in the chair. "Where's the Chairman?" Yuzuru and Yuuki continued to look at him in disbelief, half expecting that he's only acting like he's okay. The silver-haired teen sighed as he glared at his two companions. "I only see Yuuki as a friend. Nothing more, okay? There's no need to act so hesitant towards each other. So… where's the Chairman?"
"Uh, he's in the Moon Dorm." Yuuki beamed as she hugged Yuzuru by the waist. "Why?" She looked too happy for her own good that Zero couldn't help but smile at them.
"I can't believe I'll see Zero laughing and smiling in one day." Yuzuru chuckled, not really knowing how to react to the warm feeling of being hugged yet. He looked at Yuuki and kissed her forehead, earning an eye roll from Zero.
"So you're not bothered that she's a pureblood vampire?" Zero asked after a while. "And does Master even know about you two?"
"You're unexpectedly very curious about our affair, Zero." Yuzuru smirked, still a little doubtful that Zero truly has no feelings for Yuuki. Zero knew full well what his senpai might be thinking and already gave the man a huge scowl. "Well, there's that matter about Yuuki's background. But she already… well… explained to me–"
"I already reprimanded him about it!" She said in her cheerful voice, totally cutting Yuzuru's attempt to save his pride. "I gave him an earful for two whole hours, Zero-kun!" And she ended her statement with a giggle even Zero knew that must have been hell for Yuzuru.
Yuzuru sighed before he chuckled as well. "And expectedly, Master gave me an earful too... for three whole hours."
"It sucks to be you." Zero commented. Yuzuru could only sigh in return, but still smiled.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"So, it's true… She's really dead." Cross sat on one of the couches in Kaname's office, facing the pureblood who was seated in a couch. There were two glasses of wine in between them, but no one seemed to notice that.
"Yes, she is." Kaname merely answered, having already told the Chairman what happened. He told the older male everything, even the fact that there was someone beside Rido that they should be wary of. "She actually thanked me…"
Cross smiled at the younger brunette before he took his wine glass and sipped from it. "I'm sure she meant that." The pureblood only smiled sadly.
"The Council had already begun investigating her death." Kaname sipped his wine as well. "Currently, they have Ritsu Tanaka as the prime suspect. Maria Kurenai has been cleared since she's smart enough to give them a detailed alibi."
"Will he be executed?" Cross looked saddened at the fact that the butler would have to pay for Shizuka's death when all he did was obey her every whims and wishes.
"No, it seems Shizuka made it so that it'll appear in the reports as accident." Kaname heaved a deep sigh. "But he wishes for the opposite. Shizuka is his master, the only one that he will ever serve. Without her, there'd be nothing for him to do anymore. He wishes to be executed."
"Kurenai-san might do something about that. Tanaka has been in her manor for a while now." Cross answered. No one talked for a while, both were in deep thought as they emptied their glasses. "So… what is the second thing that you want to tell me?" Cross asked as he put his glass down the table. Kaname called him earlier to say that he needed to tell two things to the Chairman.
Kaname closed his eyes as he gathered the needed courage to tell Cross about that. "I… I'm sorry, Chairman. But it seemed I've dug a deeper grave than I could ever expect." Cross's eyebrows furrowed at that. Kaname opened his eyes as he stared directly into the Chairman's eyes. "I already know everything there is to know about Zero."
Cross's eyes widened as he stared at Kaname in deep shock and fear. "You… know?"
"Don't worry, Chairman." Kaname smiled bitterly, eyes filled with unmistakable pain. "I don't think I can tell him anything."
Immediate relief found its way on Cross's expression as he smiled at the brunette vampire. "I see Zero-kun has become a little bit more important to you than anyone could have possibly thought." That statement somehow made Kaname's eyes widen in surprise. Cross chuckled at the pureblood's reaction. Was he that much of an innocent child when it comes to those kinds of things? "If it's Kuran-kun taking care of him, then I don't have to worry about Zero-kun anymore."
Kaname cleared his throat, effectively hiding the small blush that crept up on his cheeks. He'd definitely make sure that Zero would be safe always… and loved. "You said there's something you wish to tell me, Chairman?"
This time, it was Cross who cleared his throat. He indeed told Kaname there was also something he needed to tell the pureblood. He knew it's the right time to tell Kaname about that now. "Well, Kuran-kun, you see… Yuuki-chan… She kind of told me something yesterday…" Kaname's eyebrow furrowed at the mention of his beloved sister's name. "Well, please don't kill him. But Yuzuru-kun and Yuuki-chan… they're already going–"
"That bastard." Kaname growled, effectively stopping the older male's sentence. He had a sadistic gleam in his eyes and Cross couldn't help but feel pity for Yuzuru, having chosen Yuuki to like of all people.
"…She looks really happy, Kuran-kun." Cross voiced suddenly, making Kaname stop torturing the poor hunter in his sadistic mind. "More happy than I've ever seen her in my whole life."
"I have to see that with my own eyes, Chairman." Kaname said as he sat more comfortably in his chair. "Please, make sure to tell Takano-san that he has to come to my birthday party later this evening." He smiled kindly, though his eyes spoke of too much sadism that Cross didn't know if it would really be nice to tell Yuzuru to come.
Cross left some time after that and Kaname couldn't help but feel silently excited just thinking of his birthday party later. There was nothing new about having a grand party in the school. But he knew he was happy not really because of the party but because of someone who said he would attend the said party. Zero said he'd attend the party… If the hunter stuck to his words, then it'd be the happiest birthday party for him.
He slept for a while as he waited for the time, thinking of the gift that Zero might bring with him. He slept until the sun set down and the night sky became prominent.
A series of quiet knocks awakened him immediately. "Kaname? Are you awake?" It was Takuma's voice. "Everyone in the party is already waiting for you. Yuuki and the others are on their way."
"I'm awake." He voiced as he looked at the clock on his bedside table. It's already 8 in the evening. He didn't know he would still be able to sleep that much even though there were too many problems that he had to face. But for now… he'd make sure to enjoy this birthday party of his. He took his time bathing and picking the clothes that he'd wear, though all of those only lasted for at least twenty minutes. In the end, he decided to just wear a white tux.
He opened the door and saw Takuma beaming at him. Senri was behind the man, eating pocky, while Aido and the others immediately bowed. "Happy birthday, Kaname-sama!" They all greeted before they all gave way for the pureblood.
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.tbc.
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Ren-sama's Notes:
I don't exactly know Kaname's birthday and I'm too lazy to actually research about it. Anyway, I would still have written this chapter even if I knew. Review, guys?