Bloody Petals

Chapter 7

Zero looked disturbed. He couldn't quite point out what was wrong. But if what Takuma said was right, then these Level Es arrived here immediately after the mission was sent to him. There was really something off about this whole situation but he just couldn't ask anyone about it. Cross was no longer a hunter and asking him about it might only make him worry. If he asked Yagari or Yuzuru, the two of them might come in here and investigate, and that would be the worse situation for Zero. He shivered inwardly just thinking of what their reaction would be if they happen to see him in his state now.

"And?" Aido tried to start a conversation too. He didn't like it that he was so quiet and being left behind. It looked even more suspicious on the part of his two companions. "Why are you here?" His face looked annoyed but Kain and Takuma still knew that he was greatly embarrassed. Zero looked elsewhere and didn't answer, and it made Aido even redder. "Hey, Kiryuu! I'm talking to you!!"

"Be quiet." Zero said as he tried to feel the hunter's presence again. It was gone, completely gone without a trace of its scent or presence behind. "Tch."

"Were you sent here as well?" Takuma asked curiously. "The Hunters' Association was fast. For them to send you here the moment these Level Es arrived."

"During what time did you feel that the Level Es' number multiplied?" Zero asked without addressing the question thrown to him.

"Just now." Kain was the one who answered, curious at Zero's reactions. "We were sent here immediately after Kaname-sama felt it."

So it was because he went here after all... They were not here by accident. They were here to ambush him... Zero gritted his teeth again. "Damn..."

"What's going on, Kiryuu?" Aido asked. "We've never experienced such a thing as this before. Kaname-sama is protecting this place so there is no other vampire in this area except the Night Class students."

"If I know then I wouldn't be having any problem." Zero answered harsher than he had intended. He didn't like it that he was being questioned by vampires instead of the other way around. He walked towards the building and left the three vampires behind.

"Hey, where are you going?!" Aido exclaimed angrily. Kain and Takuma were now merely watching amusedly.

Zero glared at him. "I'm bleeding and it would be annoying if little Aido lost control again." Aido immediately reddened because of this and he couldn't find any way to counter the hunter at all. But to his surprise, Zero blushed at his own words as well, as if remembering just now what had happened earlier.

"Now what's that?" Kain asked amusedly as he saw Zero's ears reddened just before the hunter turned around and continued walking.

"I think something amusing really happened in the woods earlier." Takuma voiced.

Zero entered the building, trying hard not to hear the two vampires whispering. Aido shouted at his companions in embarrassment and Zero was glad he wasn't the talkative type. It was more fun to tease Aido than Zero and they all knew that.

The sun had already set and the building was dark. Rubbles and other fallen debris were scattered throughout the place. There were no more decorations present but the altar was still there, though damaged. The stained-glass windows were also either chipped or broken. Pieces of the glass were scattered all throughout the flooring. The long chairs used for masses were also on the verge of breaking. There were only a few of those chairs left now. Zero didn't know what happened to that church, but it looked like a small tornado just wreaked havoc in the whole mess of a place.

"We need to report this to Kaname." Takuma told Aido. "Can you stay here and make sure Zero-kun comes back to the school without any incident?"

"W-Why me?" Aido protested. It looked like his two companions were setting him up on purpose. "Why not Kain? Why not you?"