AN: I'm really sorry for the late update, but my utmost thanks to everyone who supports this story!
Don't own VK.
CHAPTER 18
"We'll split up. Since the Level Es are living scatteredly around this entire area, we'll be able to cover more ground," instructed Yagari as he made sure his gun was fully loaded.
Chairman Cross yawned as he lightly touched his sword. "I know, I know…You're really lecturing like an old man. Maybe you really like being a teacher at Cross Academy."
The one eyed hunter glared at his partner. "I'm just making sure that an old fart like you still remembers how to battle a murderer after being out of touch for so long!" he nearly growled. The idiot can still take this serious matter so lightly?
Not an argument again…Cross winced. "I did fight when Rido attacked, if you've forgotten…" He let out a huff before continuing, "I'm not making light of this matter, it's just that I don't want anymore of those lovely children getting hurt…Especially when this one still has a wound not fully healed…"
"When we catch the murderer, we'll see what Seiran will do." Zero's master turned to walk in anther direction but Cross stopped him.
"You'll keep to your word, right, Yagari?"
"Hn." Yagari strode off. I hope I catch the bastard tonight.
If their plan of catching the copycat murderer failed, they would have to tell Seiran about the emergence of the murderer.
Thirty minutes earlier.
Kaname had been looking out his window as usual when he espied both Toga Yagari and Kaien Cross slipping out of the academy on foot. What aroused his curiosity was usually when the Chairman left the academy, at least it was a Prefect's duty to see him off at the gate. Both Seiran and Kiryuu were rounding the other side of the academy, so they didn't know about the two men leaving. Hmmm…They are carrying weapons too…They must be on the case Sensei Yagari is working on.
For a moment he contemplated whether he ought to send Seiren to observe what both men were doing, he assumed it was a normal stake out based on their appearances. No, I won't send Seiren after them…
But the Chairman's request of keeping watch over Seiran – how should I do it? Sending Seiren to watch her would make her suspicious. Besides, she is a vampire and hunter so it won't be easy. I can't send Takuma after her because he may reveal my actions…I need someone close to her, and yet won't rouse her suspicion…
Kaname turned away from the window just as Yuuki came out of the bathroom.
"Oniisan, what were you thinking about?" she asked, surprising him with her sudden perceptiveness.
He merely smiled as he put his arms around her, drawing close and hugging her. "Nothing but you, Yuuki…"
Would you be able to terminate their lives if they were the ones injuring innocents…?
His smile was lost behind Yuuki's back. He didn't know why Seiran's words kept on ringing in his head, reminding him of what he failed to do, many years ago…
But that person managed to do it – the unforgivable – causing him to vow vengeance…
Am I able to fully let go of the ill feelings I've harboured so long…?
I've had my revenge, manipulating and ensuring that person's current bloodline has suffered…
Kaname's grip on Yuuki tightened slightly. Yuuki squeezed him back.
Pow!
Yagari's head swirled sharply to the right when he heard the noise. The copycat murderer, possibly…? His heels took him in the eastern direction.
Meanwhile on the opposite end, Cross' eyes widened when his ears caught the faint sound. Yagari's being attacked? He gripped his sword as he accelerated his movements in the direction of the source.
"I didn't ask for anyone's help!" snarled the murderer when his unwanted companion and he made sure the two hunters weren't able to find them.
His companion ignored his angry remark, asking monotonously, "How many did you manage to kill today?"
"I was unable to get any today due to those fucking bastard hunters! And the fact I've wasted a bullet on you too!"
The other person looked at the murderer. "I had been following you these few days in order to ensure your survival. Master won't like it if you died on him too fast, since you're one of his priorities." He flicked something at him.
The murderer caught it – his bullet from earlier. "What is your role in this task Master has ordered me to carry out?"
A sinister smile was on the other's lips. "Simple. To ensure chaos to those trying to find out your identity, making it an enjoyable game for Master's viewing."
"I won't make it that simple. Who do you think I am?" scorned the murderer before leaving.
"I'm sure on your way back you'll be rewarded…" The remaining person shook his head. Tsk…I know who you are, it's just that you don't realise what you've done yet. Master's powers are that great that even if you recognised me in your current state, when we meet each other in so called "broad daylight", you would not know me at all…
You're just a puppet.
You think your prey is Seiran Kaede, but you are wrong.
It is you who are the hunted.
"Kuso!" cursed the one eyed hunter when where he pinpointed the source of the sound to be absolutely nothing. He was ready to use his gun when he heard the sounds of footsteps running but lax-ed his stance when he saw it was the Chairman.
"Haah…haaah…," panted Cross before asking, "Found…anything…?" Darn, I'm definitely not as young as I used to be…
"No. I thought I heard a shot but when I came here I found nothing. What about you?"
The blond man shook his head. "I thought it was your gun that fired, which was why I rushed over! Could it have been another hunter doing his rounds?"
"It's possible, since we did pass by some who obviously were not too friendly," snorted Zero's master, recalling them passing by a few H.A hunters who had glared at Cross and himself.
But then what were they shooting at? wondered the Chairman, scanning the area.
Klink! Klink!
The puppet picked up the bullets he had used with his gloves as he tossed an orchid onto the ground at the pile of dust. "Stupid fool…," he muttered, wiping the blood away from his grazed cheek when a Level E child had appeared from above the wall and swiped at him. Due to difference in size and stamina, the murderer had grabbed the child, pressed his gun at the child's heart and fired two muffled shots. So what that person said was true, and I did get a 'reward'…
The stupid child obviously wasn't good at hunting for prey…Probably not even on the bitch's blood tablets, but I don't care. I'm going to kill every single Level E I meet…
He smiled. Apparently there are hunters looking for me…You won't catch me that easily.
We bear the same scent after all…
"Yagari…," breathed the Chairman as he spotted a clump of dirt and was that an orchid lying on the ground…? Both the men ran towards it.
"Fuck it!" growled Yagari, running his fingers through his hair. They had been outwitted.
"This probably means that whoever it is, the murderer had an accomplice," stated Kaien Cross as he picked up the flower. "I'm sure he will not attack again as daybreak is approaching…and we have to tell Seiran. We can't keep her in the dark about this any longer."
"It's my loss again today, huh?" commented Zero in a light tone as he met Seiran at the spot they arranged to meet once their rounds were over. "Have you been waiting long? Are you cold?" He removed his blazer to put it onto his girlfriend's shoulders, but Seiran smilingly shook her head.
"I'm fine, Zero. How many students were sneaking out this time?" she answered as she used her handkerchief to wipe some sweat off his forehead. The wind blew in their direction and she caught a very faint scent of blood before it was lost. Eh? From –
"Zero, did you hurt yourself anywhere?" asked Seiran as she took a quick look up and down Zero's uniform. Possibly a small cut…
"Huh?" It was Zero's turn to look at his arms and knees – those bushes around Cross Academy needed serious trimming especially when he had to rush past them – but there were no marks. "I didn't injure myself – "
"Aha!" Seiran jubilantly showed her boyfriend his last finger. "Paper cut?" she innocently asked, tilting her head sideways.
Zero chuckled slightly before he pulled her close into his arms. If she can act normally like that, it shows she's fine. As long as she's fine…
If Zero can laugh more easily like that, it shows he's no longer thinking about his past. That's good to know…
I'm glad, really glad.
"Come on, back to our room we go, otherwise we won't have enough sleep to attend tomorrow's classes." She gave him a light tug in the direction of the Sun Dorms.
Lesson 19 : It isn't easy to let go of ill feelings if there is too much hurt involved.