The Mirror and the Mask
Chapter 9: Art to Enchant
It was nearly 2:15 when the Night Class emerged, dressed in their airs of superiority, beautiful and serene just like angels all tainted in blood. But no can see their sins which they all drip in, all is invisible under the moonless night. Zero was one of them now. He had sinned and he is another tainted angel.
Tainted as he walks alongside Kaname, their eyes acting like hands in which lovers hold though their own hands never touched. Rima sings a pretty little new tune, Shiki peers into the night in a lost daze, and Ichijou listens to the night's song. All was quiet yet Zero never felt so alive, it seems the world was singing, singing to only him.
"You feel it too?"
"Huh?" Zero looked at Kaname.
"Moonless nights always had an affect on us vampires. That's why most of the murders caused by vampires primarily happen under the shadow of a moon, not under the light." Kaname's words brought Zero back to the darkness he remembered the night that changed his life.
"My family all died under that same shadow." Usually whenever Zero mentioned his dead family the conversation would take a depressed and quiet turn. No one would look at him nor each other. Embarrassed and shamed, the conversation would stop there and eventually all would find an excuse to leave for another happier topic. In the end, Zero would be alone to carry the sad feeling on his own while everyone else disappeared for a lighter touch, anything to make them forget about death. But it was different this time. Kaname never looked away from him. Instead he actually smiled. Not because he enjoyed the fact that Zero was orphaned on the night of a new moon, but to ensure Zero that he was happy for one thing. Well at least you're still here. His smile said.
"What's going to happen to Aido, Kain, and Ruka?"
"They're sentenced for after school detention and isolation for two weeks."
"Wouldn't that make the problem worse?"
"How?" Kaname asked.
"…Just gives them another reason to hate me." Kaname stopped. The brunette turned towards him with a grave stare as he took both of Zero's shoulder.
"Whether they hate you or love you, I'll make sure that they'll never touch you again." At first Zero was baffled at Kaname's words. No one ever promised such a thing to him, no one. Not even his parents. His violet eyes widen in disbelief but Kaname's stare remained strong and true, honest and determined like a stone's gaze which lasts forever; unchanged as time circles around it as it watches the world around it evolve to something else.
Kaname continued staring until the rest of the group were heard to be coming closer.
"Let's go." Kaname whispered as he turned to continue walking with Zero standing beside him. The rest of their walk to the dorms was quiet, but Zero enjoyed every moment of it. Under the security of the forest's canopy, Rima began singing a song.
"Well the dogs were whistling a new tune
Barking at the new moon
Hoping it would come soon so that they could
Dogs were whistling a new tune
Barking at the new moon
Hoping it would come soon so that they could
Die"
The Moon Dorms were lit up inside when the class arrived. Rima still hummed her little song while Shiki collapsed on one of the many couches scattered across the living room. Ichijou sat down next to him.
"Master Kaname," Miss Mindy was heard trotting down the grand staircase. "How was tonight's lessons?"
"Well as expected." He answered. "Have Aido, Kain, and Ruka come back from Mr. Cross' office?"
"Yes, sir. I sent them all to their individual rooms as you asked." She bowed.
"Please send them to my rooms. I must formally discuss with them on these matters."
"Yes, sir." She turned to walk upstairs. As Zero watched her disappear into the hallways of the mansion he tried to stop Kaname from following.
"Don't!" He gasped, making Kaname stop and turn.
"Why?"
"It won't solve anything. It'll just suppress the problem. I don't want things to be worse then they are now." Again Kaname merely smiled.
"Do you doubt my authority over my subjects?"
"Well…no…"
"You must because you are underestimating a pure blood's power over other vampires."
"Why, does it really work?" Kaname just shook his head before proceeding upstairs. Zero watched him until he too disappeared within the maze of the house.
"Being a half breed, it may not hit you yet." Zero turned around to find petite little Seiren standing before him. Seiren wasn't really as popular as the rest of the Night Class was to the Day Class. Usually she would slip quietly and unnoticed by the crowds. She was a clever girl and many times Zero was lucky enough to find her gracefully swim through the crowds undetected. He barely ever saw her create a fuss for attention until he and Yuuki were invited to Ichijou's birthday.
When Zero saw that Kaname was licking Yuuki's wounds in order to heal it, he pulled out his gun but before he could pull the trigger Seiren was there quickly with her lethal nails at his throat. Her silence and demure were her best assets to be the perfect body guard for Kaname.
"What may not hit me?" He asked.
"The lure a pure blood has over vampires."
"Does he have that same lure over you?"
"All the time." She simply answered.
"I wonder what Kaname is going to say to us now?" Kain asked knowing that no one was going to answer him as he leaned against the wall in the corner of the room.
"I hope he won't hit me again." Aido pouted. "I always feel sad when he does that." The blonde rubbed the same cheek in which Kaname had hit him earlier. Unlike the two young boys, Ruka remained silent in her own worries.
Washed in their own worries, the group of students all rose when they heard the knob of the door twist and open. Kaname walked in nonchalantly as he entered the room, looking at neither of the three. He walked over to one of the lone arm chairs as the three automatically flocked to his presence.
"Master Kaname." Kain greeted as all three bowed. Kaname didn't say anything but merely gestured for them to sit in the couch across from him.
"I trust you know what I'm about to say, right?" He began.
"Yes, my lord." Aido spoke as all three nodded.
"Zero is very precious to our future. He's the bridge we need in order to gain the trust of Hunter's Association."
"Those murders?" Kain sneered.
"Those murders are our first priority. If we anger them, they will only react with violence."
"Because they fear us. Those with fear are always the ones that strike first." All eyes turned towards Ruka who still couldn't bear the shame to look at Kaname straight in the eye.
"That is why Zero must be welcomed into our world. With the mortal world long gone from him, we are the only ones who can take him in."
"Why can't he just run off like any other E level vampire?" Kain scoffed.
"Because he won't become an E Level vampire."
"What?!" All three gasped with widen eyes yet Kaname remained calm. He expected their reaction.
"I am now in the midst of asking the Council to perform the ceremony. Before I can I need their permission."
"…You can't." Ruka whispered. "You can't allow that beast to have your blood."
"Ruka—''
"Please my lord!" She stood up and walked over to Kaname. Ruka knelt on her knees as she tried to hold his hands in hers but Kaname wouldn't give her the mercy. "My lord, please. Kiryuu has countlessly threatened the lives of our people. The only thing that he knows is the hate he has for our race. Lending him even the tiniest particle of your power will only enhance his power and make him follow his devious plans."
"Whatever hate Zero has for our race is now gone."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because he has now realized he is one of those things that he has hated most." Ruka remained silent as well as Aido and Kain who watched her face fall into sadness.
"None of you will ever harm Zero. Those are my orders."
Zero went to his room when he saw that the rest of the Night Class do the same. In a way, the silver hair boy was somewhat disappointed when it was time to go to bed. He had actually wanted to stay up when Kaname was done punishing Kain, Aido and Ruka. But Ichijou insisted that he should return to his rooms for the night.
"Even us immortals needs sleep." Ichijou smiled as he lead Zero to his room.
"I guess." Zero unlocked his bedroom door but stopped. "Do you know how long Kaname will take?"
"No, not really." Ichijou thought out loud. "Why, do you need to speak with him?"
"…No. I just-never mind." He shook his head. Ichijou chuckled.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow night." He slapped Zero on the back before walking to the other end of the hallway. Zero watched him until an alarming question popped in his head.
"Ichijou?"
"Hmm?" The vampire boy stopped and turned.
"Isn't your bedroom the other way?" Zero pointed. Ichijou's face went pale for a second before he laughed nervously.
"Oh yah!" He turned the other way. "Thanks for reminding me. See what happens when you don't get enough sleep." Zero didn't laugh with him; it wasn't really all that funny. "I'll see yah!" Soon Ichijou disappeared around the corner, leaving Zero to shake his head at him.
The room was cold and empty to Zero. He didn't feel like turning on the lights. Actually, he enjoyed the beauty of the dark. Though it was pitch black he could still sense the furniture around him, the space and true shadows within the room. Zero walked over to the window and tear opened the curtains.
The land before him stretched out into a hazy horizon. The young vampire couldn't help but wonder what was past that horizon. While still entrapped in the beauty of the night, Zero was still able to detect his presence.
Well the dogs were barking at a new moon
A slender hand snaked its way around his bare neck, pushing past Zero's jacket, slithering under his dress shirt where he could feel the icy sensation of his hand laying upon his bare skin. Zero waited till he came around, circling him till he was met face to face with the pure blood.
Whistling a new tune
Kaname stopped as he stood before him, his hand still under his shirt, lying upon his breast. He could feel Zero's heart beat under the weight of his hand, fluttering like a bird caught in a cage. Zero saw lust lace across Kaname's eyes, bringing his full lips to gape a little; teasing the silver hair boy for him to kiss them. But Zero didn't move, he wasn't given permission yet. Instead he watched Kaname part his jacket, making it fall to the floor. Zero was somewhat startled when Kaname quickly brought his hand down, ripping the buttons from his dress shirt so that the shirt was completely parted before he peeled it off from Zero's creamy shoulders.
Hoping it would come soon
Once Zero was stripped half naked for the pleasure of Kaname's eyes, it seemed the air between them thickened. Without understanding why, Zero's breathing quickened as Kaname took another step closer till he stopped only moments away from Zero's lips. Impatient with the hunger for lust, Zero rashly rushed his lips to mesh with Kaname's.
And the sun was wondering if it should stay away for a day 'til the feeling went away
They kissed slowly but each wave of desire rippled through their bodies, making them tremble each time their tongues touched and slid against one another. Kaname brought both of his hands to Zero's face, cupping his cheeks into his palms. The silver hair vampire's hands swam along the sides of Kaname's body, passing over his lithe torso and soon stopping at his slender hips. Washed up in ecstasy, Zero followed Kaname through the movement of his hips. As he would step forward, Zero would step back till these footsteps lead him to sit on the edge of the bed.
And the sky was falling on the clouds were dropping and
As he sat up on the bed, Kaname stood between Zero's parted thighs. The silver hair vampire watched in awe as Kaname slowly unbuttoned his jacket and dress shirt. To him, it was like watching a master painter reveal the beauty of his work with each layer of paint. The figures slowly emerging through the combination of color and line. That was how Zero felt when he saw Kaname allow him to watch as he took off his shirt, layer by layer. Though all the while, Zero never once let go of Kaname's hips.
the rain forgot how to bring salvation
When Kaname was fully stripped and bare as Zero, he slowly crawled over to Zero. As Zero watched Kaname creep closer to him, he retreated back just as slowly, crawling backwards up the bed as he stared as Kaname followed. Once they finally reached the head of the bed, and Kaname was directly on top of Zero they kissed. Within the kiss, Zero's hands roamed around every crevice of Kaname's toned chest; memorizing each muscle and bone that emerged from his skin.
the dogs were barking at the new moon
Not once did Kaname leave Zero's lips but as their kiss intensified so did the boldness of his hands. At first he began caressing Kaname's shoulders till they slowly inched their way down till one was pushing past the hem of Kaname's pants while the other began to fumble with the pure blood's belt. But once Kaname felt what Zero's hands were doing, he pulled back.
"Please, don't."
Whistling a new tune
"What's wrong?" Zero asked, his breathing still panting under the influence of his desire and frustration. Kaname used his arms to prop himself up above Zero, but his once lustful eyes where now coated with shame and fear.
"I'm just tired…Can I just rest here with you?" Zero looked at him bewildered. Not because of the sudden coyness but the simplicity of Kaname's wish. What made him think that he had to even ask for such a thing?
"Of course." Zero nodded. At his answer, Kaname lowered himself down again, dipping his head into the crook of Zero's neck. Soon Zero felt the steady pace of Kaname's breathing, signally to the young vampire that the pure blood now slept peacefully in his arms. Softly, Zero wrapped his arms around Kaname before he did the same as well. He slept.
Hoping it would come soon so that they could die.
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm on a roll with this story here. Out of all three stories that I'm juggling right now, this one is my favorite. So everything seems to be going along with between Zero and Kaname, right? Well things are gonna get a little personal next chapter. Expect a few tear jerkers. (well at least I'll try to make you feel a little sad) and that's for next week. But until then, drop in a REVIEW and tell my how you think the story is going so far. It could be about anything!