Bloody Petals

Chapter 19

Zero finished bathing and dressed quickly before he readied the Bloody Rose and his other hunter gadgets and tools on his bed. He would attend the morning class but not the afternoon one because he'd need to get going soon. He saw the pill bottle on top of his drawer and took it as well, just for precaution. It would almost be a week since he last drank from Kaname and it would be disastrous if he lost control during his mission. It would be too shameful if he failed a mission again.

"So you're saying you don't need my help." Yuzuru was obviously sulking and Zero couldn't help but sigh. They were now both in the school cafeteria together with Yuuki who had buried her nose in her textbooks. There would be an examination soon and she's the only one who couldn't follow the lessons.

"Yuzuru, I'm saying that this is my mission. There's no need for you to come along." Zero said patiently as he continued eating his meal, oblivious to the gawks directed at him by drooling females. Even Yuzuru would shudder once in a while because of the intense stares in his direction. "And besides, you're never this worried when I was simply a human vampire hunter. I didn't become weaker, Yuzuru."

Yuzuru sighed. He looked at Yuuki and saw her nod in assent to Zero's statement, still deeply buried on the books that she borrowed. Yuzuru accidentally told her about Zero's condition the night before Kaname's birthday and she was beyond shocked. He also received a not-so-healthy dose of punches earlier when he told Zero about it. Thanks to that, they were now able to talk about everything even in front of Yuuki. "Okay, okay. But still, you weren't targeted by fellow hunters when you're human, Zero. You don't even know if it's one of their traps again. I have faith in the Association, but not in my fellow hunters... especially those who are in the Elite Force."

Zero arched an eyebrow at that. "In short, you don't have faith in me, master, and Kaien-san." Yuzuru gaped at him, unable to form any coherent retort. "Yuzuru, I understand that this might be another one of their suicide or ambush missions, an attempt to get rid of the vampire inside the Association. But it's still nevertheless a mission. Remember, mission is everything. Life is nothing before it." He's already told his senpai about the failure notice yesterday and Yuzuru still couldn't believe it until now. After all, that was the reason why he stayed here, to help Zero with espionage.

Yuzuru looked at his meal with a sad expression. "But you're not a simple hunter who follows the Association blindly anymore. You're also part of the race that they hate and despise. You can't trust them too much, Zero."

Zero shrugged. "What comes should just come. Anyway, I'll be going now. See you both tomorrow... I hope." He stood up straightly before he said his goodbyes to both Yuuki, who only nodded and told him to take care without looking up from her textbooks, and Yuzuru who was still against him going on his own.

He had just gotten outside the cafeteria when he felt the unmistakable pureblood presence in the vicinity. He sighed. Of all days to annoy him, Kaname chose this one. "What do you want?" He asked no one in particular, but he was surprised when someone answered him. However, the voice didn't belong to the one he was asking.

"U-Um... I'm sorry for following you, Kiryuu-kun..." Zero turned around just in time to see a day class female bowing deeply to him. "I... I..." He then saw that there were other females glaring at her. "Can I please talk to you in private?" She looked up at him and pleaded with her eyes alone.

Zero sighed inwardly before he nodded. He still has time before his mission so he might as well hear out whatever she wanted to say that seemed so important seeing that she did her best to approach him. He started walking towards the building with lesser people and stopped before he turned around once again. She looked at him meekly before she heaved a deep breath. "Kiryuu-kun, I..."