Chapter 3: what lies behind the mask

Hi all! Gosh it's been a while hasn't it? Well it seems this break has done me good, I am now out of my depressed state, thanks to a very kind reviewer (thankyou sukikyt) who really gave me a well needed boost and convinced me to re-read this, oh and also thank you Kaname3 for also giving me boost. Also im sure fanfiction has something against me. I always check several times before submitting my work for spelling errors. And then I'll post it and there will be words missing, spellings wrong all over the place, I just don't get it. And then, the worst part I'll go back and change it and it won't work. It's so annoying! So at the moment im in word so everything seems fine, but I bet your reading this now and it's all gone wrong. ARRGH!

Anyway sorry for my outburst, on with the show!

Summary:

Maria starts school

The rest of the day flew by. Yuki took her round town, they ate at the local café, and Yuki introduced her to her friend Yori, she seemed quite shy at first, but by the end of the day she had grown on her, she was happy to have already made some friends.

Maria was surprised to find that they hadn't crossed paths with Zero at all that day. But she was glad. Since seeing him that morning, she had become a little uneasy. It wasn't like the night before, where she had felt safe and happy, now she felt very afraid. Though she had no idea why. She was very scared of what she had been dreaming about. The fear of the unknown. It must have been something terrible if it was so bad it made her scream. One half of herself wanted to dig deep into her mind and find what it was, but the other half told her to forget it, move on, as that was the safest place to be. In some way her brain seemed to be telling her to stay away from Zero, she felt as if something might happen to her if she saw him. It was best stay away.

It was Monday now, the start of her new school life. She made her way down the musty wooden steps towards her classroom; she could hear the distant screams of the teens as she approached. She tugged at the heavy door and clumsy fell in.

The room was very odd; not what she was used to. There were huge stone steps leading up the class room with damp wooden pews lining each one, in front of these desks was the teachers sleek table and screechy chalk board.

Maria searched the room for Flossy and Chihiro. The classroom held a cast of quirky characters, there was the school nerds, with their boxy faces and clumsy glasses, there were the chavs with skin as bright as an orange, pink lip-gloss burning their winkled lips and skirts so high they could cause a health hazard. Finally she found them; they had already saved her a seat. It seemed they had noticed her a while ago as Chihiro seemed to be pointing wildly beside her and Flossy was waving her arms around like she was waving down a plane. Maria trotted up the steps and plopped herself down on the splintered seat.

"Wow!" she said. "When was the last time this school invested in the classroom?" "Not since it had been built I think." Pondered Flossy. "Yeah, they've always got enough money to deck out the dining hall and revamp the ball room." "Or pamper the Night Class" Added Flossy.

The night class… Oh yes she remembered now. That's where Kaname was, she wished Zero was there as well so she wouldn't have to face him today, she hated this fear, this irrational fear than seemed to creep over her skin when she thought of him. It wasn't right.

"Everyone could you all settle down please." Commanded the teacher as he marched to the desk. He was an odd fella with a mop of grey hair that slopped over his scalp like a wet flannel, and deep creases that seemed to be carved into his skin like a grave stone. Should he really be still working?

Though he was old, he did seem to have a strong presence that would stop everyone in their tracks. Everyone zipped their mouths and took their seats each one wincing as they splintered their skin.

"Now it seems we have a new student, Miss…"

"Sakura." Said Maria, who had decided to examine a very interesting scribble on her desk. "Umm tell us about yourself yadder, yadder." "Umm…well…I" She stammered. "Don't just sit there like a train wreck, come out to the front!" he beckoned.

Maria nervously got herself up from her desk and with shaky legs made her way down to the teacher, her legs were so wobbly she was worried they were gonna buckle underneath her at any second. She clung to the desks as she went down.

"There, now, im Mr Numaki and-" The door slammed open to reveal a silver storm of hair and very grumpy looking owner. Yes it could only be, Zero.

"Sorry im late." He mumbled.

In the crowd of people, Maria could hear whispers.

"God its Zero, I was hoping he'd be ill or something, not that it's unusual for him to be late or anything"

"Well he didn't come out of his room at all yesterday…so…"

"According to Chihiro he stormed into their room on Sunday. I know right! He's such a perv."

"He shouldn't be on the disciplinary committee."

Maria suddenly felt a wave of sadness for him, yes he could be scary, in fact she was scared of him now but he didn't deserve viscous rumours and frightened eyes boring in his every second. Maria carefully took a glance at him. His eyes leaked with sorrow and his body heaved with anger. He tilted his head towards her and their eyes locked, suddenly the sights and noises disappeared, and there was no one but them, his violet eyes swam with emotion, she felt herself being pulled in by his gaze, she felt like she did that night, the need to go to him and comfort him, make sure he was alright, let his feelings be known. She needed him to know she was there. Suddenly the universe burst back into view, with the vicious words.

"What you looking at?"

What happened Zero?

Sorry for it being so short but I thought you guys would want something after being so patient over the past months. Sorry again. Please review, give me ideas, or criticism, I'd love to know how to improve. Thanks again to my reviewers! You two are awesome. Especially as (im guessing) you aren't even members and are the only ones bothering to express your thoughts. Thank you, thank you!