Chapter 8
Flashback
Its been almost a month since the ball and Zero's been missing (gone) since then. During which Maria Kurenai had woken up, explained her situation then left the next day, back to the Hio estate. Following that, a week later, Yuki was patrolling school grounds, lost in thoughts about the night of the ball.
Earlier Flashback
After she'd woken on the floor of the old dorm, she got pissed upon not seeing Zero. In a fit she went to the chairman's house looking for him but Zero wasn't there nor at his dorm room (she'd check on her way over). She then decided to just ask her adopted father for his whereabouts instead of further wasting her time.
The brunette happened to overheard him talking to Kaname-senpai in his private office.
"Zero's gone" Kaien stated calm.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Kaname asked coolly.
"He packed a bag (lie) and left school grounds, with my permission, he added, he was supposed to leave earlier but I delayed him at the time, I guess he really wanted to leave, the last part he mumbled to himself with a sigh, worry not, he'll be back when classes starts again."
"Where did he go?" Kaname ignored the mumbled words, feeling relived at hearing the silverette will return. He'd felt his heart dropped, unexpectedly, at hearing Zero had left.
"Well-"
Earlier Flashback ends
The presence of an unknown vampire interrupted Yuki's musing.
"Ah, pardon me, the male wearing a suit with a tie, adjusted his glasses, regarded her, this is Cross Academy isn't it, I apologize for visiting at such late hours, I had lost track of time at the office" he smiled sharply.
"You're a vampire" Yuki stated the obvious, extending Artemis.
"How perceptive Miss guardian, he mocked walking closer, ignoring her defensive posture, but I was wondering-"
"What are you doing here?" she cut him off.
"Where is the other guardian?!" he continued, lunging at her, sharp claws extended.
Before he could strike, the vampire suddenly burst into ash, surprising Yuki.
Two more unknown vampires appeared then, just as Kaname-senpai and his inner-circle of followers. Everyone stared at the pile of ashy-clothes at Yuki's feet.
"What is the meaning of this, one of the unknown male growled, seeing his comrade remains, why did you kill him unprovoked?" his angered question aimed at Yuki.
I-i didn't-he just-" she stuttered.
"Do you take us for fools, the other chipped-in, the Senate will hear about this."
"Why are you here?" the pureblood demanded.
The duo kneel, a hand across their chest, to their king.
"Evening, Lord Kuran, the Senate has issued an order for the execution of hunter Zero Kiryu, for the murder of Shizuka Hio and we are here to fulfill this order" one informed.
"Please hand over the hunter so we may-"
"Leave, now" Kaname ordered firmly, interrupting the vampire.
"But Lord Kuran-"
"I will not repeat myself, he smiled scaring everyone, Zero Kiryu is not responsible for Shizuka Hio's death, I will not let you interfere with my peaceful school life because of baseless accusations."
"Lord Kuran, are you choosing to disregard the Senates order by protecting that hunter" one gritted out then screamed as his arm twisted unnaturally, breaking it.
Scaring Yuki. She hadn't seen Kaname-senpai being scary before (except once when she was a child, otherwise) he's always gentle and sweet to her. 'His expression is chilling and scary, how could a smile be so cold' Yuki thought uneased.
"Fine, we'll leave, for now, but your choice to protect Zero Kiryu will be reported to the Senate, Lord Kuran" they repressed a sneer, seeming to vanish using inhuman speed.
Kaname-senpai had asked what happened before their arrival and she'd explained.
Since then the pureblood had ordered a few of his followers to guard Yuki twenty-four-seven, without being noticed while on school ground.
But even as classes started Zero still hadn't returned.
She tried calling him but his phone was either turned off or he's in a no-service area. And no matter how much she asked, her adopted father won't tell her anything.
End flashback
At present Yuki and Sayori are in town, doing some shopping, one of the night student accompanying them.
They happen upon a lost crying child. Feeling obligated Yuki decides to help find the child's parents, against the night student protest, though followed duty bound after Yuki told Sayori to head back first.
The child direct them to a old mansion.
The night student narrow his eyes suspicious. When the boy went to kiss Yuki's cheek in thanks, he yanks the foolish girl away, glaring at the 'boy' ignoring her confuse frown.
"Thanks again for bringing me home nice lady" the child's different color eyes seems to glow, staring at the male student who procced to drag the brunette away, keeping a cautious eye on the vampire child until out of sight.
The 'boy' chuckle, "how amusing."
Flashback
Flying for a while Zero land in a secluded area, on a certain mountain, where a pure mama vain runs.
"Good, I don't sense any stagnation" he muttered erecting multiple barriers then transformed into his true form, towering thirty-five meters, on hind legs. Lying down he sighed, 'absorbing mana here should boost a fraction of my power, it could take a couple days, but it will do until I devour Ichiru Kiryu and be whole again' he drifted to sleep while his body started to glow, as pale blue light energy seeped from the ground into Zero's large body.
A week later a figure wearing a hood cloak walked to the grand gates of a large mansion. Without notice and effort, slipped through like a specter heading to the front door. Phasing through like a ghost they walked down a hall to the most powerful presence. Entering a large bedroom they found a light-blond female pureblood.
"Good evening vampire or should I say morning" they watched the female stiffened at the sudden voice.
"How brave of you to enter a beast lair, alone" the light-blond asked calmly, placing down her teacup on its saucer with a soft click. Violet blue eyes glanced up at the intruder, masking her unease at their undetected entry.
"No need to be alarm, had I wanted you dead we wouldn't be having this conversation, I'm here to offer a partnership" they stated casual.
"Overlooking your poor manners, why should I trust you?" she countered masking her annoyance at their arrogant words, 'they feel human.'
"You're alive right now and besides I can give you what you want most"
"And what do you think little old me wants?" she purred in a condescending tone.
"Kaname Kuran" the name got the pureblood's immediate interest.
"What should I call you, my new partner?" the light-blond smiled sharply.
"Lilith, they pull back the hood revealing a gorgeous, silver-head female, call me Lilith" her smirk went unnoticed by the pureblood.
End flashback
At an abandon building, in the basement ballroom, famous and influential figures roam about the spacious room. Some socialize, others gossip while soft classic music plays in the background. The topic on most lips this evening is the human woman attending with Sara Shirabuki. Understandable given her uncanny resemblance to a certain deceased, crazed pureblood Hime, except their eyes.
"Could they be related?"
"Impossible, she's human"
"I heard she's a hunter, maybe she's a pet"
"Perhaps"
"Maybe she's as crazed as the former Hime" a group of female noble vampires giggle.
Said human lady with pure silver hair sits at a table eating desserts, ignoring the idle chatter about herself, unconcern about her light-blond companion abandoning her to soak in the attention of boot licking vampires.
Dressed in a emerald blue gown that bleeds into sapphire from the hip down, slit on one side, sleeveless, a sweetheart top with elbow satin gloves. Hair curl down, decorated with emerald and pearl jewels, winter theme necklace and earrings adorn her person.
The arrival of Kaname Kuran cause a stir.
Finally the individual every attendee's been waiting for has arrive.
'Nobles just love to wag their loose tongue, spreading rumors, not thinking of the consequences and the lives they ruin, these 'nobles' are the same no matter the world' the silverette scoffs inwards, watching them flock to greet and throw their daughters and or nieces at their pureblood king.
Not wanting to watch the spectacle Lilith goes to the buffet table for more delicious pastries.
'Yep, I still detest attending noble functions' she muse at the approaching auras.
"Lilith Tristan, one female address from behind with arrogance, you're the hunter Lady Sara brought along right" she state while the silverette bites into a cherry éclair.
'Human desserts here are so much better, she moans inward, delicious~' she ignore the females to try a strawberry custard tart next, 'so good~'
"Are you ignoring me human?" the noble vampire female hiss displease.
"Are you deaf, a noble, your better is speaking to you, show some gratitude" another chide in, trying to curry favor.
"Why did Lady Sara bring this lowly blood sack here?" another question snidely.
'Why does this situation feel so familiar ?' Lilith chews thoughtful, stacking as much desserts on a plate as possible at sensing two familiar auras present, Ichiru and Toga. Not wanting to encounter either she leaves the ballroom, to enjoy her treats in peace, ignoring the females offended remarks.
'Was that situation what humans refer to as deja vu, though no Prince Kaname to save them this time' she bites into a macaron walking down a dimly lit hallway, then the faint scent of blood gains her interest.
Using a cloaking spell Lilith follows the scent to a room further down, standing across from the closed door she wait to see who exit. A familiar light-blond pureblood steps out seconds later with a satisfy smile then walk back to the ballroom, after closing the door, like nothing's amiss.
Curious Lilith enters the room, once the pureblood's out of sight, plate in hand, to find a dying male pureblood on the floor and a pile of ashy clothes near him.
'Why are you in such a hurry Sara, she close the door behind her, not like I care, waving a hand, she deconstruct the body, using what remains of the pureblood's essence, convert it to mana then shape it into a crystallize marble, she's a useful pawn that suit my purpose, the marble falls into her outstretch empty palm which she then store in a pocket dimension, what a happy opportunity she created for me, maybe I should make her death less painful' Lilith leaves the area to go enjoy her desserts as intended.
To be continue…