A/N: I'm distressed but, the best way to tell this portion is via Zero's mind. T. T Not happy, Zero. Why can't you be more like Kain and just do everything by chance? T. T the annoyance is real. Kaito may be off character – tell me how to improve him and I'll do my best.
I had planned for this chapter to be out yesterday but, I passed out. I'm sorry!
Big shout out to Blemm-Chan who, without, I don't think I could have done this chapter well – and probably, the rest of the story.
Groggily, Zero lifted his head as his phone rang. He briefly wondered if it was from a dream and eagerly set his head back down, ready for more sleep. No, it wasn't a dream. With a sigh, he answered the phone, his voice quiet. "Yes?"
The other person on the phone line spoke. "Are you around Mudanchun?"
"I'm around there." He replied, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Good. There's a level E being a jerk." He almost smiled. Of all the dispatchers, he'd get a job with the one who hated swearing. "Do you think you could deal with him?"
"Yeah." He sat up in his bed.
"When?" Almost immediately, Zero could hear the etching of the pencil on paper.
"First thing." He answered, already grabbing his weapons duffel bag.
"Tomorrow?" The dispatcher asked.
"Yup." They hung up at the same time. He zipped up his jacket and pinched the bridge of his nose. He could sleep after he was dead, he concluded as he walked out of his room. Zero was only faintly surprised to see Kain up at this hour – not to mention, reading a magazine. The Hunter poured himself a coffee into a thermos, barely glancing at his roommate. "I have work. We'll talk when I get back."
Then, he slammed the door behind him. He hadn't recalled getting in the elevator. He leaned his head from one side to the other, enjoying the loose muscles.
"No." Zero replied, turning off the radio. The ash-brown friend scowled at him.
"Fine, your highness." Kaito Takamiya crossed his arms. It had been two days since Zero had left the apartment and had tracked the Level E to its hideout. "But, if you're not going to put on the radio, you're going to answer questions."
"And, the radio's back on." Zero answered quickly, returning to his silent demeanor. Kaito reached over and turned it off again.
"You still on that pureblood? Or, should I say, purebloods?" Zero didn't answer, taking an easy turn to the left. Sadly, it had given time for his friend to think. "You are, aren't you? Are you stupid or suicidal?"
Again, no answer. Kaito continued. "You seriously think any vampire is just going to let you walk in and kill a pureblood? A Level E is fine but, a pureblood? Or do you seriously think that all will bow out of your freakin' way and let you do whatever you want? I know the Association won't let you."
On and on, Kaito ranted things Zero already knew. This was usual – any information Kaito got, he had to work out vocally with the pros and the cons. While his friend was occupied, Zero added to his plan Z, the plan he never wanted to go through with: getting closer to Rima. If Rima stopped being suspicious of Zero and believed him to love Kain, one less thing to worry about. Shaking his head, he agreed to think of a new plan and, if one didn't arise, he'd go along with it.
"And another thing…" Kaito started as Zero stopped the car. Without turning his head, he knew his friend was startled.
"Lecture later." Though short, his sentence held a powerful impact on his fellow Hunter as he grabbed for his weapon. Zero had been taught to be careful, watchful. It was something that their shared Master had tried to instill on his partner. Sadly, Kaito seemed to forget those options and chose to go for something more surprising and dramatic. With a sigh, Zero waited for the complaint from the Level E inside. Sure enough, the growl and a catchphrase about sucking blood passed his ears. He stormed inside, watchful of Kaito's movements as his partner exerted much of his energy on the blood thirsty vampire. Though he knew his partner lusted for the kill and would love to try death by force, Zero soon tired of the charade. Weighing the two choices: either let Kaito have his way and die or kill the vampire when he has a chance, he chose the latter. At least it'd shut the door on Yuuki tracking for a while.
Sure enough, the complaints drifted. While his friend went on about how he wanted to kill the bastard by himself, Zero wracked his mind for another answer but, none came. The complaint drifted down to the silent treatment before Zero was home. As they passed the sign, Kaito sighed. "You know you can stay at my place, right?"
Zero allowed a throaty assent, hoping to close his partner out. Thankfully, Kaito didn't push as Zero returned the borrowed car to the Association and wandered down the familiar streets. He had finally succumbed to the first idea but, with a smile, he decided to make it seem more like Kains' rather than his. For the first time in days, he called Kain's cell.
In two rings, Kain answered. "Yeah."
Realizing that it was afternoon, Zero wondered why the vampire would be up. He didn't have a choice but, why would an aristocrat stay up? "You're alive."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because it's three in the effin' afternoon and you're not home." He was taken back with his concern.
"I take it you're home." He heard the shuffling of paper on the other end. Thankfully, Kain didn't seem to hear it.
"Yeah." Zero lied. "Just got in. Talk when you're home?"
"Yeah." They hung up at the same time. Zero found his bearings again and started walking toward the penthouse. How was he supposed to manipulate Kain into dating him? He hadn't really dated anybody – no time with the self loathing and the on going mission of redemption and hatred. He knew what he felt for Yuuki – that kind and caring nature that made him love her. How was he supposed to find that in Kain? More importantly, how was he supposed to feel that way about Kain?
Nauseated, he stood outside the building and lit a cigarette. Some people gave him dirty looks as he watched the smoke head up to the sky. Yagari would probably claim it ruined his health but, Zero felt closer to his mentor with it lit. He wondered what his advice would be. The Headmaster's was easy: love is different for different people. You can't love the same way over and over again, Zero. That'll just make everyone angry and you sad.
He sighed, his eyes following a fiery head. Crushing his cigarette, he slid right into Kain's way. The other apologized and stepped around him. Zero raised an eyebrow and touched his cheek. Didn't Kain even know who he ran into?
Instead, Zero followed the vampire into the elevator. Kain turned to set the floor, his face conveying wonder and relief.
"What the…" Kain swallowed his sentence. Zero almost smiled at that. "I thought you were going to wait for me at home."
Do I look like a housewife? Zero thought momentarily, shrugging. "I got bored."
He leaned against the wall of the elevator, lifting one leg and resting it against the wall and crossed his arms. For the millionth time, he wondered what he was going to say. "We need to talk."
Kain nodded. "Agreed."
They both stood on the balcony, Kain leaning against the rail with both of his forearms on it. Zero thought briefly, wondering if he should just say it. "Look, about your way to get Shiki… How would you feel if I was the pretend boyfriend?"
He wondered if that sounded as strange coming out of his mouth and thought he should amend it. But, the damage had been done. Kain raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you actually want to be my boyfriend?"
Zero blinked once. Twice. The temptation to reject rose in his throat. But, here was the opportunity. The way in he was looking for. He decided to torment Kain a little. "Are you asking me to be your actual boyfriend?"
Zero hoped Kain would reject. If he was anything like Zero, he would reject. Instead, his eyes bore into those burgundy ones that blinked stupidly and clearly. "Yes."
Inside, Zero felt his blood boil. No, this stupid aristocratic guy would never be like him. "All right. Now, what do we do?"
Kain shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. You're the first person I've ever asked out. But, I'm getting a drink."
Zero watched as he went into the kitchen. He felt shudders down his spine. No, Kain's feelings for him couldn't be real – at least, not in the romantic sense. He had to be part of another plot. He sensed that now.
Sitting on the chair, he lit another cigarette and watched it burn. Would Kaname go out of his way – even involving his left-hand man and leaving Kain in danger? For what purpose? Obviously, to gain information. But, Kain hadn't talked to Kaname since the night he went out for 'business'. That much he knew. Unless it was a tactic. But, if it wasn't and Kain's feelings were real… Zero shook his head. He couldn't let himself think of that. Hurting Kain the vampire who protected the purebloods Zero was after was one thing. Hurting Kain, the vampire who was a lot like himself, was another. Crushing his cigarette, Zero went to bed.
AN: Again, if I effed up on a character, let me know. I own nobody and nothing except people's hearts and plans and plots and meanness...
