Heaven's Mirror

Full Summary: Zero Kiryuu is the infamous leader of the Hunter Association and regarded as one of the most powerful figures that is balancing the strife between humans and vampires. However, he is haunted by the images of the woman he once loved and the event that changed their lives forever.

Ever since her disappearance from his life five years ago, he has come to the conclusion that he no longer has the capacity to love. On a mission however, he stumbles across a child with the mirror image of his face. Just what is going on?

Chapter 1: Prologue

He woke up from the nightmare panting, as cold sweat dripped down the vast expanse of his back. It had felt so incredibly real, that he could still hear the fading echoes of her screams before her life slowly seeped away. He could still see the scarlet red of blood lingering on his fingertips and the scent of decay that brutally invaded his senses. What had truly haunted him more so than anything else however, were her eyes.

Those ruby orbs that had gazed so unwaveringly, so trustingly into his — even though he had taken her life without a moment's hesitation. Zero's eyes wandered to the filtering light through his bedroom window, the crescent moon almost mocking his state of utter despair. A self-deprecatory smirk appeared on his strikingly handsome features, as his amethyst coloured eyes rivalled the beauty of the moon itself. How ironic was it... that this once mesmerising scene... was now a constant sign of his downfall into madness?

After all, he had witnessed the very same picturesque image... every single day for the last five years. To him, it represented the cruelty of what a meaningless life entailed. Day after day his daily life events seemed to meld into one another so seamlessly, that it felt as though time itself had not moved at all.

His reflection was a gateway into the demon within him, desperately clawing to escape. It was his 'true self': a blood-thirsty creature risen from the ashes of the earth. A morbid beast that didn't quite belong in this world, and yet continued to exist without any logical explanation. He was a monster... a monster that truly embodied the meaning behind the word "inhumane".

How he loathed his very existence, and dearly wished for someone to simply end it all. He had not had a good night's sleep since she had left his side, and nightmares lurked behind him like a shadow bound to its owner for all eternity. Zero sighed, as his palm brushed against his forehead and his silver bangs draped over his face.

The irony of it all, was the very idea that his life was deemed truly enviable in the eyes of others. He had everything a man could ever want — money, fame and power. His gradual rise as President of the Hunter Association was neither predetermined nor a surprise. To others, he was a man of great skill, passion, and cunning.

All the factors that a benevolently great leader should possess. Because of this, he had accumulated a large number of supporters that would follow him to the ends of the earth and back if he ever so wished. Women came flocking to him in the masses, beauties from all over the world by his feet, and yet... none of them ever captured his interest for very long. After all, the very last remnants of his humanity — his heart — had been taken away long ago, by a girl with the very same ruby eyes as his dream-like nightmare.

Zero mentally berated himself for even thinking about her after all these years. Her features were burned so vividly within his mind, that even time itself could not erase her presence within his life. It was like it was just yesterday that she had disappeared altogether, and he could still remember the feeling of having the crevice of his heart, torn right out of his chest.

Just why are you doing this to yourself, Zero? Isn't it about time that you moved on? After all, maybe she could have just been a figment of your imagination.

At this point in time, the very concept that she was simply a manifestation of his inner desires was quite plausible. After all, if she was truly real... how could she have vanished so easily from his grasp? He had been searching for her for years on end, and yet there had been no remaining traces of her existence. Perhaps, this was considered his divine punishment for the sins that he had committed in another life.

His thoughts were quickly interrupted by the sound of a familiar ringtone, as he immediately groaned in frustration. There could only be one person he knew of with the complete audacity to call him at this god forsaken hour of the night.

"What do you want, Kaito?" Zero growled, his patience wearing thin already. This just wasn't his night, and he dreaded to hear whatever pompous request his childhood 'friend' had in mind. After all, a call from him — no less at this hour, was something worth fearing.

"Is this how you greet your one and only friend? You sound terrible," Kaito replied, with mock sympathy.

"I think anyone would sound terrible if you call them at this hour of the night. I swear the next time I see you, I will gouge your eyes out."

"Cruel words, Zero. You need to lighten up. You know what you need? A drink."

Zero groaned, as he snapped in reply, "That's your solution to everything! I'm exhausted, and I don't think I can handle seeing your face anymore than necessary."

"Meet me in 10 minutes. I'll be waiting."

And with that, the phone line went dead. He was incredibly tempted to throw the damned contraption against the wall, but thought better of it. Murdering him in person will be far more satisfying, after all the things he has put me through... he thought sadistically.

With great reluctance, he threw on the first article of clothing within his line of vision before leaving the apartment.

—My Endless Love