Free My Heart - Chapter 1 (Zero Kiryu x Reader)

            Zero Kiryu x Reader

            Chapter I - The Kain Daughter

        It was around 9:30 in the evening, and everything around the academy was quiet and still. I left my room in the boys’ dorm and headed outside, letting the moonlight bathe my body with its silver glow. I thought I’d do my quotidian chore of patrolling the area, though I was no longer obligated to carry on with it since all the students of the night class had left the academy. But I guess it has become a habit of mine. Besides, my eyes have forgotten the taste of sleep a long time ago.

        I’ve been doing this every single night, for years… but it is no longer the same. I am doing this alone now. Yuki’s no longer by my side. I huffed irritably, shaking off the gloomy memories that have been circling in my head for quite a while, and I resumed my walk toward the academy’s main building.

        The large facility was empty, no more Night Class students roving around. Nothing disturbed the quietude that dwelt in the school’s corridors during the night. Yuki was supposed to attend the Night Class had she been here still… but… Ugh! Again with Yuki! What’s with me?! When will I ever forget?!

        With quiet steps, I strolled around the building and toward the back, taking quick glances at the surrounding gardens. As I rounded one more corner, my eyes fell on a dark silhouette standing at the entrance gate of the school. Due to the murky surroundings, I was not able to make out who that person was. I reached for my Bloody Rose gun that was hidden beneath my jacket, keeping myself at an alert stance. However, I couldn’t sense the presence of any ominous threat. ‘That’s not a vampire,’ I thought to myself. Either way, I knew that whoever that person was, they’re not allowed to wander around the place at such a late hour.

        I approached the shadowy form and I spoke with a demanding tone: “Hey! Who are you?”

        Startled by my voice, the person practically jumped from fear and turned to look at me, with terror shadowing her eyes.

    ********

    

            *Reader’s Part*

        A shriek tore your throat as you turned to look at the young man who has literally freaked you out. At one second, your heart has stopped beating and within a blink of an eye it started drumming violently against your chest. Your ribcage squeezed the oxygen out of your lungs and it clutched around your respiratory system, depriving you of the breath that you desperately needed. With a quivering hand over your heart and a mouth agape, you gazed at the unforeseen arrival that had scared the life out of you. “A-a-uh-h-wh-who-who are you?!” You stuttered.

        He frowned at you and crossed his arms against his chest: “I believe, I asked you first.” He stated casually. You eyed him wordlessly, forgetting that he was still waiting for your answer. You couldn’t tell whether you had gone speechless because of the petrified state from which you were still unable to recover, or due to the fine looks of the young man: he has exceptional silver hair, beautiful lavender-colored orbs, porcelain skin that reflected the moonlight ever so gracefully, tall (slightly intimidating) stature, slender yet well-toned physique, casually worn school unifor-... “Ugh…” A low huff from his mouth put your thorough scrutiny to a halt. “Would you please stop staring like that?”

        “O-oh… sorry.”

        “Now answer me… who are you, and what are you doing here?”

        “U-um… my name is _______. I… I’m here to see someone from the Night Class.” You tried your best to let your voice come out normally, but you couldn’t control the infiltrating quiver.

        “The Night Class?”

        “Yeah…”

        He examined your form with his suspicious eyes. “I haven’t seen you around here before. You’re not a Cross Academy student.”

        “N-no, I’m not. But I’ve come a long way, and I need to see my brother. He told me that the school should be open even at night. I… I don’t understand! It looks like no one’s in there. Can you please…”

        “Wait, wait… hold on a second.” He interrupted you. “You said… your brother? From the Night Class?”

        “Yes.” You confirmed.

        His eyes narrowed at you: “Who’s your brother?”

        “His name is Akatsuki Kain. Do you know him?”

        The young man broke the link that his arms had formed in front of his chest but he kept holding your gaze. His scowl did not leave his features in the slightest: “Akatsuki Kain. I do know him.” He answered. A faint smile brightened your face at his statement, but it was soon to disappear, when he continued: “But something tells me that you are lying.”

        “Why… why would I be lying?”

        “Enough with your delusion, and tell me the truth. What are you looking for here? What is the objective of your visit?”

        “I’ve told you already… I need to meet with my brother.”

        “Your brother? Kain? I have some hard time believing that.”

        “Why’s that?”

        “How in the world is Akatsuki your brother?! Do you really expect me to believe that?”

        “Yes! It’s the truth!”

        “It’s impossible.”

        You began to feel a bit fed up with his doubtful stand. “Why?” You asked. “Is it because I am not a vampire?”

        He remained quiet for a while, studying you with his eyes, before replying: “Obviously.”

        You stared at him, seeing that he was growing more skeptical by the minute, but you sighed and uttered: “Look, I don’t blame you for not believing me. Mine is a long story, a complicated one too. But why don’t you summon my brother Akatsuki and confirm it? It’s the only way for you to believe me.”

        He released a heavy exhale from between his lips and scratched the back of his head: “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. You need to see the academy’s headmaster. He might be able to do something about this dilemma of yours.”

        “Can you lead me to him? I would certainly appreciate it.”

        He tutted, sliding his hands into the pockets of his pants: “Who ever said I needed more trouble?” He muttered under his breath as he turned to walk away, but he addressed you again: “Follow me.”

        A slight smile graced your lips in anticipation of seeing your brother again, and you grabbed your suitcase and followed the silver-haired, bad-tempered young man. “Thank you.” You said to him.

        “Yeah… whatever...”

    ********

    

        “Come in!” came the voice from inside the headmaster’s office. Your young companion opened the door and motioned you to step into the room. You nodded with a silent “thank you” and proceeded closer to the front of the wooden desk, behind which sat a handsome man, probably in his mid-thirties, who has long ash-blond hair and spectacles framing his hazel eyes. “Oh! Good evening, missy!” He greeted with a welcoming voice.

        “Good evening, sir.” You bowed respectfully. Not giving you enough time to introduce yourself, the silver-haired young man intervened: “I found her wandering around the school, alone.”

        “Oh! Is that so?” The headmaster stood up from his chair and leaned over the desk, reaching his arm out in order to shake your hand. “Welcome to Cross Academy, missy! My name is Kaien Cross, headmaster of this school.” He said with a relaxed smile. You smiled back and accepted the hand shake: “And I am _______ Kain. I have come here, seeking your help.” You uttered politely.

        “Absolutely! What can I do to help you, Miss Kain? Wait… I’ve heard that name before… Kain? Sounds familiar…” He tapped his index finger over his chin, pondering the familiarity of the name. The younger man rolled his eyes and decided to give his superior a hint: “Akatsuki Kain? Does it ring a bell?” He blurted caustically.

        “Ooh! Right! That Kain!” He shouted at the realization but then his cheerful attitude subsided quite noticeably. His eyes narrowed at you, just a little: “Are you two… related?” He questioned.

        You opened your mouth in order to speak but the young man with silver hair beat you to it: “She claims to be Akatsuki’s sister.”

        “Ah! How wonderful!” Kaien jumped from behind his desk and flew to your side. He took both your hands in his and gave you another joyful smile: “Miss Kain! It is so nice to meet you! I can’t possibly explain how wonderful it is to… wait… wait a minute…” He blinked a couple of times. “How could this be? You’re… uh…”

        “Yes!” the other guy face-palmed, getting more irritated by his headmaster’s cluelessness, “she’s a human! That’s exactly why I brought her here!”

        “Oh! I apologize, missy. But I don’t seem to understand this…” Kaien said sheepishly.

        “That’s alright… I can’t deny that it’s kind of… weird… but it’s still the truth. I am Akatsuki’s younger sister. All of my family members, including my brother, are vampires. Except for me… I am the only one born… human.”

        The headmaster adjusted his glasses in place and nodded repeatedly: “Hm… I see. Actually, I do recall… I had heard something similar to this… a long time ago. I remember that a human baby was born to the Kain family, but I didn’t know all the details… (They probably wanted to be secretive about it…)” He uttered the last part in a mumble, but his voice rose again to its original merry nature: “I didn’t know it was true, until now! So, you’re that cute little baby! Huh?”

        You smiled bashfully: “That would be me.”

        “AWW! I can’t believe it!” Kaien caught you off-guard when his arms winded around your form and pulled you into a tight, suffocating hug: “Babies grow so fast!” He exclaimed. “A human beauty, blooming from within the noble vampire clan of Kain! How cute is that?!” You had absolutely no idea how to respond to that. You couldn’t but wonder… is this man alright? Mentally speaking?

        “Mr. Cross…” the young guy spoke, but the other didn’t even budge. Kaien kept babbling: “Such a rare beauty! So magnificent!”

        “Mr. Cross!” The young man barked irritably.

        “Zero? What is it? And what’s with the tone?” The headmaster whined before he was yanked away from you and shoved to the side: “Sir…” The silver-haired man whispered to him, but his alarmed tone caused his voice to come out a little louder than intended, allowing you to hear their supposedly “private” conversation. “Sir… even if she claims to be a Kain, that doesn’t make her one, does it? We should be careful! She could be a bluffer! God knows what she’s after!”

        “Oh! Zero!” The headmaster raised his voice. “Don’t say such things about our lovely guest!” He pouted. “You’re such a bad boy! Apologize!”

        “What?! Seriously, Cross?!” It was obvious now more than ever; the young man had long grown impatient with his senior’s ever so optimistic stand. Kaien turned his attention back to you: “Now tell me, my dear… what is your request?”

        “I have come to see my brother.”

        “Uh… hm…” the cheerful smile drained from his face: “Your… brother?”

        An uncomfortable feeling crept across your chest: “Yes… Akatsuki… did… did something bad happen to him?!”

        “No… no no! He’s fine!” Mr. Cross assured you. “But… I… I thought you knew.”

        “Knew what?”

        “Akatsuki doesn’t live here anymore.”

        “What?”

        “He… he moved to the Kuran Mansion. As you can see, the Night Class is no longer held in this academy. All its students have left a year ago.”

        You cast your eyes downwards, disappointed by the unanticipated news. “I’m sorry.” Kaien expressed.

        “Why didn’t he tell me?” You wondered.

        “Don’t blame your brother, Miss _______. The school had gone through quite a critical situation, a very sensitive one. It was tough on all of us.”

        “I understand.” You nodded then lifted your eyes to look at him: “Where is this… Kuran mansion?” You asked. At the mentioning of the said place, the looks in the eyes of both men turned into distant ones, especially the younger guy… the hidden emotions in his lavender orbs were unexplained, but you could perceive the sadness in them. You wondered what could be that has changed the attitudes of the two men and painted those troubled looks onto their faces. “I’m afraid that no one can go there, especially humans. It’s… it’s prohibited.” The headmaster said. “I’m sorry.”

        At that very moment, you felt as if a humongous and thick wall was standing in your way. Every path you had planned to take turned out to be a dead-end, with no way through. You were in a desperate need to see your brother, but it seemed completely impossible! You took the suitcase back into your hands and spoke softly: “I’m sorry for the bother… I should go now. Thank you for your help, Mr. Cross.” You turned to walk away but it seems that Kaien had taken note of the suitcase you were carrying. He cleared his throat, drawing your attention back to him: “Hm… I wonder if this would help.” He smiled sweetly at you: “I might be able to send a letter to your brother, telling him that you’re here.”

        You couldn’t but smile wearily at his bountiful kindness. “I would appreciate it. But there’s no point of me staying here when my brother is away.”

        “It wouldn’t hurt if you stayed here for a while, though. Right?” Kaien suggested. “I assumed that you’ve got no place to go back to…”

        An embarrassed blush rose to your face… he was right. You lowered your gaze toward the floor, but the headmaster’s gentle voice forced you to look back at him: “There’s always a place for you here. You can stay in the academy as long as you want, or at least… until we hear from your brother.”

        “Th-that’s okay, Mr. Cross. I…”

        “I insist!” He turned toward his desk and opened one of the drawers. “Zero.” He handed the mentioned man a key. “Can you please show our lovely lady to her chamber?”

        “What?! But Mr. Cross..!” The young man exclaimed. Kaien ignored him, keeping a warm smile on his lips: “You’ll be staying in the girls’ dorm, Miss _______. It’s a humble looking room… I know it’s not suitable for you, but I still hope you like it, my dear.”

        “But I…” You stuttered, “I’m afraid I can’t afford a room. I might not be able to…”

        “What are you talking about?! You’re our honored guest! You mustn’t worry about a thing!” He assured you. You couldn’t restrain the grateful smile that appeared on your lips: “Thank you, sir.”

        “How about we have breakfast together tomorrow morning, and maybe we can talk a little more? Would you like that?”

        “It’ll be delightful.” You replied with a respectful bow. After bidding Mr. Cross goodnight, you followed the young man who led you out of the Headmaster’s residence and toward the Sun Dorm. Surprisingly enough, he was the first one to break the silence that had prevailed. “Isn’t that heavy?” He asked, out of the blue.

        “Huh?”

        He glanced for a quick second at the suitcase which you were carrying, then he focused his eyes back on the path in front of him. “That.” He said.

        “Oh… no. It’s fine.”

        “I’ll take it from here.” He blurted as he leaned toward you and took the suitcase’s handgrip from between your hands. His fingers grazed against yours for the slightest of moments before he drew them away; however, that insignificant contact was sufficient to burn your skin all over. It felt weird… it felt totally strange… but it stirred something beautiful within you… a feeling so strong that you couldn’t easily comprehend.

        You walked through the wanly-lit corridors of the Sun Dormitory and halted in front of one of the wooden doors. The young man inserted the key into the door’s matching slot and opened it: “This’ll be your room.” He invited you to go ahead and step inside while he remained standing at the entrance. He handed you your suitcase along with the room’s key. “Thank you.” You bowed slightly.

        “Your story sounds quite beguiling… I don’t know if I could believe it though.” He admitted. You could find no response to his doubts. The man turned to leave you but you called him: “Hey... what is your name?”

        His steps faltered and his head turned to the side: “Why do you ask for my name?”

        “I want to thank you properly.”

        He remained silent for few seconds before sighing and replying: “Zero.” He uttered. “Zero Kiryu.”

        You smiled. “Thank you, Zero.”

        His feet resumed walking farther away, but you could catch the single word that had left his mouth: “Sure.”

    ********

    

        Tears trailed down from your eyes as you curled up in the bed, with the warm sheets hugging your frail body. You tried to wipe them away only for them to appear again, as if your eyes were fathomless wells overflowing with glittering, liquid crystals. “Akatsuki…” you whimpered. “What do I do now? Where are you, brother?”

        “I…”

        “…I need you…”

                To Be Continued…