No Warmth

Chapter 20- Deal with the Devil

Akari walked to the Moon Dormitory. When she was a few feet away from the building, a voice called out to her.

"You must be very comfortable here to come and go as you please."

Akari looked behind her and saw that Zero leaned against a tree.

"You've been seeing Ichiru whenever you leave school grounds, right?"

"Not every time...I'm actually going shopping with my friends in a little while. I need a dress for tomorrow's soiree." Akari said.

Zero glared at her. "Don't change the subject."

"You're right. I see Ichiru often." Akari turned around to face him. "You don't have to worry for him...he's fine."

"What are you two planning?" Zero walked over to her. "Ichiru is not the type of person to just sit still...I'm sure he's up to something."

"We are planning the downfall of my mother's enemy." Akari deadpanned.

Zero frowned. "I don't care what you do, but don't drag Ichiru into your mess."

"You said it yourself...Ichiru is not the type of person to sit still. He'll try to avenge her on his own if I don't help him." Akari stepped back. "I promised my mother I would look after him, so I'll do everything I can to ensure his safety."

Zero stayed silent.

"Zero, you're a member of the Hunter Association right?" Akari asked.

Zero raised an eyebrow. "I am...your point?"

Akari thought back to what she discussed a little while ago with Ayato.

"Rido Kuran has allies within the Hunter Association right?" Ichiru asked.

Ayato nodded. "I don't know how many hunters are involved. However, Lord Ichijo has been conspiring with the Hunter Association President for a while. In fact, Lord Ichijo asked the president to kill Lady Shizuka's lover in exchange for Lord Rido's blood. The president placed Akari's father's name in the execution list and assigned the Kiryus to hunt him down.

"Why did they tear my family apart? We never did anything to them." Akari muttered.

Ayato turned to Akari. "Lady Shizuka was Lord's Rido's fiancée. Even if there was no affection between them, he must have felt insulted that she had a lover and child. He ordered Lord Shiki to get rid of you ten years ago and Lord Ichijo to get rid of your father four years ago."

"What a coward!" Akari scowled. "He didn't even show himself...he just ordered his henchmen to kill us."

"He couldn't exactly appear in person." Ayato explained. "Kaname destroyed Rido's body after Rido killed Haruka Kuran. Rido has been trying to restore his body ever since."

Akari stood up abruptly. "Where is he hiding? We might be able to kill him before he regenerates completely!"

"That's unlikely. Lord Rido's body is kept in a hidden room in Lord Shiki's residence." Ayato explained.

Ichiru's eyes widened. "What room is he kept in?"

"Don't get any ideas, Ichiru. You won't be able to kill him yet. Lord Shiki always has a guard outside the room." Ayato frowned. "In addition, Rido takes the body of innocent people to move around...you wouldn't be able to touch him without hurting the real owner of the body."

"What is Rido and the Senate's goal?" Akari asked.

"Lord Ichijo and the Hunter Association President want Rido to replace Kaname as the head of the Kuran Clan. Rido promised to eliminate the Senate's enemies, and he promised the president more blood." Ayato explained.