The Mirror and the Mask

Chapter 7: Relieved by Prayer II

For over ten years Yuuki has walked down these same halls, passing the same amount of doors but for some reason today they seemed to have changed. Only now she realized how long this hallway was because she believed it was never going to end. As she ran, her mind full of worry, each step counted a million beats in her heart.

She tried to image what she would see once she's reached the one door. Will she open it up to find her best friend a monster? Or a tainted angel full of regret and sorrow? Either way, she knew she had to face this unknown character but she didn't expect to see her father before hand.

Yuuki's run was cut short when she saw Chairman Cross emerge from his office, making sure to close the door behind him quietly.

"Where is he?" Yuuki huffed the moment her feet brought her before her father. "Where's Zero?!"

"Zero's inside—''

"How is he? Is he alright?"

"Zero's fine. He just needs to be alone—''

"Then can I see, can I talk—''

"Yuuki." Unlike Yuuki, the Chairman talked slow, patient, and composed but each word held its own weight of sadness at each of its end. "Zero has had a hard day. He needs to be alone right now." Yuuki understood what he father meant by 'hard'. She was there when paramedics carried Ms. Brommer out of the hospital wing. Luckily the rumor of a wild dog being the culprit floated around the school body, making Zero's involvement innocent. But she never knew what happened afterwards.

"Why can't I see him? The last thing he needs is to be alone! Don't you understand how Zero is feeling right now after attacking another human being?" Yuuki couldn't understand why she was being so upset towards her father, but anger boiled inside of her dying to come out.

"Yuuki, its time I must tell you." Yuuki's mouth dropped slightly. She was startled when he motioned her to sit by the two leather couches next to his office door. There were only there to be placed when someone, like a student in trouble, would have to wait outside his door. But now they served the purpose to act as a source of stability to what he was about to say to his daughter.

Yuuki sat down quickly so that her father would hurry and tell her.

"What is it?" Chairman Cross stared at the fichus plant hiding behind her, as if the green decoration itself had the answers and not him.

"Zero…He's not going to be going to school with you anymore."

"…What…" Yuuki ran his words over and over until they lost their meaning. "What do you mean?"

"He will be apart of the Night Class from now on. As a vampire student…He cannot live among us anymore."

No more.

"No more…" Zero said, echoing the last words that Chairman Cross said to him. The meeting was so intense. One could have sliced the emotional tension—that was how thick it was. Now that it was all over, all Zero could do was repeat the words over and over again; trying to translate what this means to him.

"I knew this day would come but it seems that Kuran knew when."

"What do you mean?"

"I recently received a letter from Master Kuran informing me that he insists for you to register in the Nigh Class and remove yourself from the Day Class. You're transformation is almost complete. The Council will now regard you as one of 'them' and for that it's best you remove yourself from the mortal coil."

"…What are you saying?"

"You're a vampire, Zero. It's time you enter their world. You cannot stay in ours no more…"

Huddled in a wooly blanket, Zero stared out into the farthest corner of the room and tried to comprehend what this all meant to him.

I'm a vampire. He tightened his hold on the blanket. That means no more pretending. I'll have to live with THEM! Those monsters…because I am a monster now. I…I'm a monster.

Once the tears stung his eyes and throat, Zero bowed his head to his knees, crouching within the seat. There was no one anymore. He couldn't live with Yuuki and the Chairman. What little family he once had are now officially lost. He'll have to get use to staying out of the sun, drinking only blood from the tablets, and associate with the ones he hated the most. He can imagine him entering the Moon Dorms now. How they'll all stare at him wearing that same grin. 'Still hate us now, Kiryuu?' They'll say.

Many times Zero has given each vampire student detention or threatened to kill them with the Blood Rose. Now that Zero is part of the Night Class, he won't carry the Bloody Rose anymore. It'll only be Yuuki patrolling as Prefect and she'll have to consider Zero as someone she must watch over—like a potential criminal!

But there was Kaname!

At this thought, Zero lifted his tear stained face. Kaname and I will constantly be together. He'll be so close to me then ever before. I wonder now that I am a Night Class Student; will he still seek me out? Will he still kiss me as he did even after he now knows…?

"No." Zero whispered to himself. "He'll never forgive me for my sin."

"What sin?"

The voice surprised Zero so much he nearly tripped when he stood up. There at the opened door stood Kaname, dressed in black along with the Chairman Cross.

"Kaname!" Zero gasped.

"Zero," The Chairman began once the two walked deeper into the room. "Kaname is here for your answer. Now I want you to know that this is your choice. You don't have to join the Night Class but you cannot stay in the Day Class any longer."

"Why not? The incident was my fault, Mr. Cross." The Chairman moved to sit behind his desk where Kaname sat upon the edge of it, far away from Zero. "I would never have attacked Ms. Brommer if I hadn't neglected to take my pills."

"No, Zero." He shook his head. "If whether a vampire takes their pills or not, than there would be no point for the segregation. But that's not the point. The reason why the Night Class and Day Class must always be separate is because: regardless how many blood tablets you take, the seduction of natural blood is the most tempting. These tablets aren't as strong as you think. They only suppress the hunger, never satisfies it. Because of this, we must take the action of separating all vampire students from the human students." Zero couldn't believe what he was hearing. This was it. This was the end of another life which he once so loved all because of the vampires!

"And what if I refused to join the Night Class?" He looked up at the Chairman but it was Kaname who answered.

"Then you must be excused from the school entirely. The Council will watch you extra closely and won't give you any second chances. If you falter in your life outside of the school, they won't hesitate to kill you." Zero couldn't help but not be bothered by Kaname's voice. He was so used in hearing it up close to his skin, whispering in his ear, caressing him. But now there was aloofness, a chill.

"Will I still have my position as Prefect?" Chairman smiled.

"I believe a Prefect from the Day Class and one from the Night Class will give a new sense of balance." Zero nodded and leaned back in his chair. Kaname watched him for a moment before looking away and then back at him again. No matter how much the sight of him angered him, Kaname couldn't suppress this deep sense of desire. But underneath that lust laid a sleeping monster of anger. It was only a matter of time before Kaname's suppression would break loose. What frustrated Kaname the most was that Zero didn't even sense his anger yet Kaname was always an impeccable liar. To hide his feelings he made sure always have his face turn away from Zero.

"Your answer, Zero?" The Chairman asked.

Zero looked up.

Yuuki knew she couldn't cry. She told herself not to cry. She willed her body to not allow her to cry. She repeatedly chanted 'don't cry'. But the frailties of woman made the young girl cry silently as she folded the last of Zero's shirts.

"Yuuki…" Yuuki turned around and she finally saw Zero at the door. Through her tear stained face, she smiled and rushed to hug him until she stopped short. Her eyes caught the dried blood on his stained shirt, blood that was not his.

Zero knew this. He looked down and then turned away ashamed.

"I'm sorry—''

"Zero!" Zero was pulled back into the room and pressed against Yuuki's warm body. Her arms wrapped around his waist and she laid her head on his chest, breathing in his scent for what seemed to be the last time. Zero stared down in surprise at Yuuki. He hesitated to return the embrace.

"No matter, what Zero. We'll always be friends even if we have to break the rules."

"I don't see any rules that say we cannot be friends."

"This isn't the time to be sarcastic, Zero." She easily turned away and continued packing his things into neat little squares.

"I really didn't expect this at all." Yuuki turned around and saw Zero staring at the carpet.

"What did you say?" She whispered.

"I thought I would be dead before all this had to happen."

SLAP!

"Don't you dare say that!" Yuuki screamed. "Don't you dare! Never! I will…" Her tears soon got in the way of her voice. "I will never tolerate that from you! Never!"

Zero slowly slid his hand over the cheek that was slapped, watching Yuuki crouch on the ground, crying into her lap.

"I thought it would be appropriate, since you act like I'm already dead." Yuuki continued hiding her face in her crossed arms. She spoke in a muffled voice.

"I'm just scared for you." Zero sat down next to her on the floor.

"Scared for me because I'm going to be with them?" Yuuki nodded her head. Zero, who once was looking at Yuuki, now turned his face towards the door.

"When I first heard the news I was taken aback—almost enraged. But then for a moment I had an inspiration of hope but now it's gone."

Yuuki's sobs had quieted down to a few sniffles. Slowly, she picked her head up from her arms and looked at Zero who still continued staring towards the door.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because he didn't look at me."

"WHAT?!" Aido was so overcome by shock that his chair flew back after he abruptly stood up. He wasn't that only one that was surprised.

"This is outrageous!" Ruka crossed her arms while Kain leaned forward in his seat.

"Do you know how many times he's threatened to kill us? Welcoming in here will give him that chance to fulfill this promise." He said to Kaname.

"It's also possible this could be the act of the Hunter's Association." Rima leaned against Shiki's chair.

"Sending in a spy to exterminate us is ridiculous." Shiki answered coolly. "It would result in a full scale war."

"But maybe he's being sent to spy on us." Aido pointed his finger at Shiki.

"I say we kick him out on the streets! He's a mutt to our race. Dirty blood."

"That's enough!" All stood silent as the Night Class turned towards their beautiful leader. "The accusations which you have presented are not only false but absurd. Instead of indulging in your feelings let's pause to ponder how Kiryuu is feeling now. Him living with us now is like walking into the lion's den. A home with no friends and no hope of happiness. The least we should do is welcome him."

"My Lord, if you please." Kain stood up to stand before Kaname. "It's not the question of welcoming him. It's whether he would accept it."

It was almost 2:00 when the Night Class separated to their own rooms, carrying with them their own thoughts. Ruka and Kain walked down the smallest corridor together, talking in hushed voices.

"Can you believe it? Kiryuu living with us! This will either lead to a good thing or an equally bad thing. However the larger probability leans towards it leading to a bad thing." Ruka remained silent while Kain talked. "What do you think, Ruka?" She stopped.

"I think it's the worst thing that could possibly happen. You know as well as I do that Zero only wishes for the demise of our entire race."

"Even though he's now one of the race he hates the most."

"It doesn't change his hate. In fact it would probably infuriate him more."

"Should we be worried." He looked over at Ruka.

"Kain?" Ruka turned around and faced him with a serious look that grabbed his attention. "Would you protect our leader?"

"Yes, of course."

"Even if it would lead us to disobey his commands?" Something about Ruka's one caused Kain to worry. But he didn't know if he should worry about Kaname or her.

"Ruka…what are you…"

Ichijou couldn't stop pacing the room. What Kaname said earlier has circled around his mind like a never-ending song.

Kiryuu? Here? As one of us—a Night Student? Shiki only sat in a leather arm chair, watching Ichijou walk in circles with a bored expression. He finally sighed.

"Ichijou." The blonde looked up but didn't stop pacing. "I've been waiting all night." Shiki needn't say what he was waiting for. Ichijou knew well enough that the brunette is easily in need for satisfaction.

"Are you not disturbed by this at all?" Ichijou raised his voice while opening his arms to express his annoyance. It was sometimes a burden to carry his Deputy Chief duties while also keeping up with Shiki's desires. Ichijou sat on the edge of his desk in a huff.

"Disturbed is too strong of a word." Shiki rose from his seat. "Taken aback yes, but what else is there to do? Zero has attacked a human despite his in take of the tablets. Its evident that he's inadequate to live among the humans. And Kaname being the merciful leader, he's taken him in. It would be treason to go against his wishes." Shiki casually walked towards Ichijou, watching the blonde's once tense face slowly loosen to a tired expression.

"I know but…" He sighed. "I don't know." Shiki actually smiled at Ichijou, always amused by his demonstrative expressions.

"Listen." Shiki grabbed Ichijou's thighs and pulled them apart for him to stand between but the blonde continued to wear a sadden face as he continue staring down at the carpet, away from the brunette. "Come here." Shiki sighed, knowing full well that Ichijou is now overcome by worry instead of desire. With his hands still around Ichijou's knees, he pulled the blonde closer to him so that he felt the bone of Ichijou's pelvis against his.

"Look we can't do much can we?" Shiki said before taking Ichijou's chin and turning it to face him.

"No." Ichijou pouted.

"Then just let it pass. We'll eventually see how it turns out." With Shiki's words, Ichijou finally released his worry.

"Alright."

"Good." Shiki smiled. "Now give us a kiss." Ichijou gave a quick grin before his hands gently pulled Shiki's hips closer to him as his mouth meshed with Shiki's, their moist tongues lazily danced with the other's own.

The bedroom soon grew very quiet where only their hushed moans encircled the space. The locked door enclosed the two lovers in their quiet haven, isolated from the hectic world outside. So quiet yet underneath the stillness there under lied an anticipation tension exuding from the energy of the two young vampires.

"Shiki." Ichijou whined in the far end of the room. "Not on the desk—it hurts." Shiki smiled as he climbed on top of Ichijou.

"You'll get use to it.

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Sorry that update took so long. I was flooded with work! But now its smooth sailing from here on out. I'm sorry this chapter is so lengthy but I tired to make up for it with a hint of Shiki. I expected to add in a much hotter scene but that would really extend the chapter to the point no one would want to either read or comment on it.