A/N: I'm late. I'm late. For a very important update. No time to say sorry, HELLO, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. Ahaha, Disney. But still! I apologize for the tardiness of this chapter. Works got me like 'WHAT IS LIFE?' (baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more).

I need a new character for the ending (of this particular story). In my head, I have about… six or eight more chapters planned (including BCD). This might only be book one. Or story one. Or something. Which means, I need a name… I suck at naming things. Seriously. I named one character from an original story I'm working on Grr with his relatives, Ma, Oh, Uh, Yees and Ha. Literally. Haaaaalp!

Zero slid into the passenger seat of Kaito's car, throwing his bag into the backseat and slamming the door behind him. He held back a yawn. The simple gathering Kain had implemented had turned into an all night deal with people grovelling over the Kurans. Kain had told him that he could plan the next date (of course, Kain had said that he would leave Zero to plan the next activity – Zero counted this as a date) which, he had. And then, dispatch phoned.

"Someone's bitchy." Kaito commented. Zero glared at him. "And, how is your little plan to eradicate the Kuran's coming?"

"Eh." Zero muttered. He hadn't been as gung-ho as he had been in the beginning. Maybe it was because he had found companionship, maybe because he knew that Kain hated them as much as he did – even if he would never be able to admit it.

"That's Zero for horrible, no?" Kaito asked. Instead of answering, Zero turned on the radio. Kaito shook his head and turned it off. "You can't escape me that easily."

Zero glanced at his bag. He had several weapons that could make the escaping much quicker. "Tell me, how was the soiree? Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Screw off." Zero growled.

"Well, that answers the romantic question." Kaito grinned as Zero's fist nearly made contact with his face. "Seriously though, what happened?"

"There were vampires. They danced. One flirted with another." His jaw tensed as he said the last. Even if this was all part of his plan, Kain was his pawn to use. The fact that Shiki had his bishop wrapped around his little finger caused an issue to him.

Kaito noticed this tension. "I'm guessing someone flirted with your boyfriend."

"Mm." That was Zero's trademark. Neither a yes or no, it left Kaito nodding to himself. More often than not, it was a yes.

"You know what I think?"

"I didn't ask."

"I think you're falling for your vampire." This time Zero's fist did make contact. Kaito swerved.

"Say that again and I crash the car, pull you out by your hair and leave you for dead."

"Deny it all you want." Kaito sang. "But, seriously. What's going on?"

"Shiki being Shiki." Zero answered. Kaito nodded, familiar with the research.

"Well, that begs the question."

"What's the question?" Zero asked, resting his foot on the dashboard.

"Are you switching targets? No offense to Kain but, Ichijo is closer to Kaname."

"I can't do that to Kain. Not after this much effort."

Kaito glanced at Zero, returning his eyes to the road. "No punching if I say hypothetically, right?"

"Fine."

"So, first, hypothetically, the guy you may or may not be completely crazy about and are using as a pawn gets killed by your plan. Right there, you have no way of getting somebody new."

"Is this option one?"

"Yes. Second hypothetical: the guy you may or may not be completely crazy about and are using as a pawn notices your using him and, because you haven't slept with him and are relying on a really weak ass blood bond, leaves. You never see him again, no chance. Poof."

"Option three," Zero started, the plan forming in his mind. "Sleep with said guy who I definitely am not into, have him drink, get him kicked out of the Pureblood groupie section, bond with next guy over something and kill Kurans."

Kaito nodded. "Not bad, Kiryuu."

"Three potential problems but, other than that…"

"Only three?" Kaito asked.

"Yes." His partner raised an eyebrow. "One: Gonkuro. If he finds out what I'm doing, I've lost an ally. Powerful one, too.

"Second problem. Kain's not going to lose it unless he believes I love him." Zero was surprised with how easy it was to say. A part of it felt right. As fascinating as it was, he had already agreed that the plan came first. If this was love, he'd figure it out then.

"Well, you're taking him out once your back, right?"

"Yeah."

"Pretty easy to show it."

"That brings us to the worst issue of all." Zero reclined in his seat. "I don't know how to show love. Never been in it."

"How did you show Yuuki?" Kaito asked.

"I didn't."

Katio pinched the bridge of his nose, turning a corner. "Has he shown it?"

Zero thought of his insistence of being held. Even now, when he was supposed to be on the mend, he'd knock on Zero's door. He wouldn't sleep at all, the ghosts obvious in his mind. Instead, he'd distract himself with booze – something Zero was not happy with. "Being touched and vulnerable is his way."

Kaito grinned. "That's your way in, then."

"What do you mean?"

"Touch him."

"In public?"

"Not in that way, perv." Kaito scoffed. "No. Like, smooth his hair. Wipe the corner of his mouth. Do that accidental brush thing that people do when they want to hold hands."

"I get you." Zero checked the map and the directions he'd written down. "By the way, you missed the turn off."

"Ah…" He turned around, slowing as he did so. "Where you taking him?"

"Not a clue." He grabbed his bag and Kaito did the same.

Zero returned early in the morning shortly after Kain had gone to bed. Gonkuro rubbed his eyes, not quite dressed for receiving anyone – especially not Zero. He smiled tiredly, half-awake. "I thought you were with Kain."

"Business." Zero answered, kicking off his shoes.

"Yes. Though, I don't know if Kain approves."

"He does." Seeing the confused look on Gonkuro's face, Zero clarified. "I mean, killing Level E's is nothing to scoff about."

"Of course they're villains. But…" He rested against his cane. "There are worse monsters than Level E's that we know of. Even he knows otherwise."

Zero paused, examining Gonkuro. The elder grinned. "I think it's time we had some tea together. Especially concerning your possible future."

Zero shrugged off his coat. "Yes."

The kitchen was silent while Gonkuro poured the tea and offered Zero biscuits. When he sat down, somehow, that aged face became young again. "I know who you are, Zero Kiryuu. Your parents history, your brother, Yagari, Kaien… All names I've come across in different ways."

"How did you know…"

"About your parents history?" He chuckled. "I asked. Kain has many spies that I can use – especially when it concerns him. If you were hunting him, I would kill you."

"But, you know I'm not?" Zero asked. His head had started turning.

"I know you have a bone to pick with the Kurans. I have no love of them, these people who would call themselves friends and treat Kain unfairly. Some are worse than others." He took a sip of his tea. "How willing are you to protect Kain?"

Zero paused in his answer. If it came between killing Kain to kill the Kurans, would he pull the trigger? Instead, he shook his head. "That depends."

"On the circumstances?" Gonkuro nodded, as if he had just read Zero's thoughts. "Don't go for the head. Aim to hurt him, aim to kill them."

"Why are you so for it?" Zero asked.

Gonkuro smiled that secretive smile. "I suppose Kain has told you of my history?"

"That you had a hatred of vampires, yes."

"I suppose he would keep most of it secret." He sipped the tea again. "My parents were killed by an aristocratic vampire known to me to be Kain's father as an attempt to impress his pureblood lover. Or, one of his pureblood lovers."

Gonkuro shuddered. Zero paused. "So, his mother sought you out purposely?"

"Mayoko did worse than Katashi at times. But, she adored Kain." He studied Zero, no hint of playfulness in his eyes. "I had witnessed the death. Mayoko found me by drinking every childs' blood in every orphanage under the guise of 'giving blood'. It was only a sample but…"

"You smelled it, didn't you?"

"Saw it. With her blood-stained face when she had found me." Gonkuro shook his head. "She was real, though. She had seen what I had seen through that sample. She told me who she was. At first, I thought she was the woman he was trying to impress. Almost stabbed her with my scissors."

Zero chuckled. "If only."

"But, she anticipated it. Told me the spirit was good but it was inflicted on the wrong person and for the wrong reasons." His face fell. "This part is to be kept secret from Kain."

"Understood."

"Mayoko had made the choice to stay with Katashi, taking the abuse, falling into the mood swings of a broken promise… Part of my job was to feed her to delay the madness. But, the majority of it was to protect him from his own."

"What do you mean?" Zero turned his chair towards Gonkuro, hanging on every word.

"What do you suppose happens to kids when a blood bond is broken?" Gonkuro asked. "They are made of both parts during that promise."

Zero shrugged. "I didn't know that kids were bound by the pact."

Gonkuro chuckled. "Not if they're conceived without it. But, when the pact is broken… It's like… How did she describe it?"

Zero drank his tea while Gonkuro sifted through the memories. "It's like… a part of them erodes. You may have noticed there's gaps in his personality – irrational behavior, constant switching between loyalties, nightmares, uncertainty, obsession rather than love… Especially when he cares. My main purpose in being here was to be his feeder. And, some of his nightmares, are my memories."

"You mean…"

"Every vampire who has fed on another retains some of the knowledge." Gonkuro concluded. "Just as trust is made between feeder and victim. Unconscious, but it's there."

Zero stared at the tea cup. "Why did you…"

"Share my blood?" Gonkuro chuckled. "At first, I threw a fit. Mayoko took a knife and pressed it against a forefinger when she finally held me down. See, in those early days of my employment, I had seen a different Kain. One minute, he'd be fine and I'd think I'd be friends with him. The next, he'd be cruel. Trashing my room because he thought it was fun kind of cruel."

"I thought it was because Mayoko was spending more time with you than him."

"That was what I made him believe." Gonkuro frowned. "Because I had given him blood, Mayoko taught me to tweak his memories. Not enough to damage him, but enough to forget that he could be that way. Think of it more as… continuing his potential rather than a darker road he was susceptible to. Anyway, three months later, we were best friends and I thought nothing of it. He had the sheer determination to never be anything like his father… It would have killed him to know he has those behavioral traits."

Zero considered the words spoken. As much as he despised his mind being played with, he thought of one thing that he needed Gonkuro to tell him. "How did you manipulate the mind?"

"Pardon?" Gonkuro asked, shock on his face.

"He has nightmares. He burns when he's asleep. He has mood swings, still." Zero bit his lip. What could he say that would tip Gonkuro his hand and let Zero manipulate what he needed? "How do I increase the idea that I love him?"

"Do you – love him, I mean?" Gonkuro poured another glass. Zero tried his best to keep his face neutral. He nodded once. Gonkuro smiled. "Then, show him. Be there for him. But, if there's ever any doubt, simply make it your deepest wish when he's fed on you."

"My deepest wish?" Zero asked.

"Yes. See, in order for a memory to be altered," Gonkuro answered, "the wish has to be true. You have to want it with your entire being."

Zero smiled though, it was for a more selfish reason than the assurance. "Now, here's a question: why does he run the charity?"

"That… may also have been my idea." Gonkuro avoided eye contact. "But, I think it was in Kain's own list of wants or the interest would have faded over time. Most are scooped up by the Hunters Association before Kain has a chance to gainfully employ them."

His face fell. Zero questioned as to why. Gonkuro shrugged. "One day, I will pass. At that point, I hope to have a successor who will know Kain's history as well as I do. Know him as well as I do."

Although Zero felt that the expectation fell on him, Gonkuro never stated as such. He thanked the man for the tea then started for Kain's bedroom. He found the man with the IV still in his arm. He grimaced, guilty as to the Hunters poison he had used. To be fair, he knew Kain to be strong but still, he didn't need to request the strongest of the tranquilizers.

He pricked his finger as Kain slept, holding it over the gap between Kain's lips. He focused all his energy into wanting Kain to love him, hoping that it would work. Once the natural course ran out, he lay next to Kain and held him by the waist. Kain rolled onto his side, his hot breath against Zero's neck. Zero took great pains to be sure that the IV hadn't been obstructed before he studied his partner.

Kain looked better than he had two days ago. Physically speaking, he appeared to be just the same. It was the mental state that had Zero concerned. He wasn't sure if it were from Gonkuro's own confessions or the fact that the usually articulate and reserved man spoke what he thought to his own detriment and even without his permission.

Carefully, Zero lifted the blanket, wondering if a few hours of sleep would do him good. With a sigh, he glared at the sleeping figure who had managed to burn the mattress through. How had he not smelled it before? Burnt foam was by far the worst type of plastic to melt. Mixed with Kain's drinking habit that he had been delighted to take part in, the room stank. He didn't hold the anger long as the heater pressed himself closer, the usually peaceful brow furrowed.

Zero brushed the orange hair back, tracing his jawline before cupping his cheek. At first touch, the skin felt cold – almost like marble that had sketched a masterpiece. Yet, the longer he kept Kain's face in his hand, a mild fear of being burned crossed his mind. He hissed suddenly, pulling Kain's arm from over his belly. The flame shot from Kain's hand as the man sat upright, pulling the IV from his arm. He wrapped his arms around his knees, frantically searching the room.

Zero knew better than to touch Kain at the moment. He set himself in front of the other, attempting to catch his eye. Kain's hands rested in his hair, pulling hard as he squeezed his eyes shut. "Akatsuki."

Upon hearing his name, Kain drifted his gaze to Zero's who, in turn, offered his hand. Kain took it, matching his breathing with Zero's, neither daring to blink. Kain almost smiled, setting himself back into his bed. Zero shook his head. "We have a long day ahead of us."

Kain picked up his phone and narrowed his eyes at the glow. "It's only ten."

"Half the day is gone already." Zero answered. Kain flashed a look akin to Aidou's – a glare mixed with a determination to do what he wanted. Grumbling, he set himself right. "You're a cranky riser."

"I'm a vampire. We don't do mornings." He checked himself in the mirror, checking his tongue. Zero's eyes traveled down from the back of Kain's head to the muscles currently rippling as though he were apprising an antique. He imagined what it would look like with scratches down his back, furthering into indecent thought. He averted his gaze, studying instead the carpet as he ignored his own problem and thankful when Kain had left the room to brush his teeth, take a shower… Whatever else Kain did.

It left that Zero was the one to open the door for Gonkuro, blurry eyed. Gonkuro shared a secretive nod before slipping the cart inside. For once, Zero wished that he had a caffeine reliance – it may have made him sharper to the sensations. Instead, he downed the water as Kain entered the room, already dressed. Zero almost slapped himself, furiously trying to remind himself that he couldn't get attached. Still, he would have preferred Kain more exposed.

"Thank you." Kain replied, taking the first sip of caffeine.

"You have a meeting today."

"Move it to tomorrow." Kain ordered, scratching the back of his head.

"But, your booked with meetings tomorrow, too…" Gonkuro paused. "I suppose it could wait until early evening."

"Early evening would probably suit us both." Kain leaned against his dresser. Zero bit down on his jealousy. What had he expected from the vampire? "Zero, I would like you to attend tomorrows meeting."

"Who's it with?" Zero asked nonchalantly. Gonkuro and Kain exchanged glances.

"You'll see." Kain answered anonymously. "Today has nothing?"

"As you requested." Gonkuro concluded, pouring another cup for Kain and one for Zero. Gratefully, Zero was happy to oblige.

"Thank you, Gonkuro. We'll take breakfast in twenty."

"Very good. You almost sound like a real man of the house." Gonkuro avoided the shirt Kain tossed in his direction, grinning away as he wheeled the cart.

They were silent for a few minutes. Zero wondered briefly if Kain ever shared the improper thoughts that still caught his attention. It was Kain who broke the silence. "So, what are we doing today?"

"Uh-uh. You're forcing me into a mystery meeting." He sipped his coffee. "Besides, I do believe it's my turn for a surprise date."

Amusement entered Zero as Kain blushed. He drained his coffee, hiding his smile. At least he could get some satisfaction.

"Zero, it jingles!" Kain informed him, bringing back a toy intended for children. "I would have loved this."

It had been three hours since they left and Zero watched with slight annoyance, slight enjoyment of Kain's childish antics. He had wanted to cover more ground with the pier and stop at his favourite restaurant but, thus far, Kain had wanted to spend at least half an hour showing Zero everything that brought him the slightest joy.

"Oh! Sassy tee's!"

"I would have thought that you had been in here before." Zero remarked as Kain held up two options.

Kain seemed to ignore him, sifting through the rack. "They close before the sun sets."

"Amazon?" Zero asked as Kain lifted two options, displaying them. Zero pointed to the one on the right.

"Check my browser. It's literally stuff at auction for the family business."

"Your father was an auctioneer?"

"No." Kain pressed a finger to his lips, furrowing a brow. He extended his hand that wasn't holding the shirt Zero picked out. "Expensive china shop, custom made kimonos and that… What's the name of the magazine Shiki and Touya are always on?"

"Beats me."

"Those were mom's businesses." He stopped in front of a stand displaying several types of bracelets. "Katashi was in competition with her so, he owned hotels, several restaurants, construction companies, architectural firms, book stores, antique shops and… I think an airport."

"Those things have nothing to do with one another." Zero remarked, pulling a studded bracelet off the shelf and wrapping it around Kain's wrist.

"If you think about it, they do." He examined it, posing in a ridiculous way. Zero shook his head, muttering baka under his breath. "There's a quote from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens."

He stared into space as he contemplated the quote. Zero studied the earring he wore, for the first time noticing an engraving on it. Kain snapped his fingers. "It's not just for money alone that one spends a lifetime building up a business. It's to preserve a way of life that one knew and loved."

"I don't see a connection."

"Think about it, Zero." Kain remarked, ignoring a dirty look from an elderly lady as he held up a necklace on Zero's frame. "What are books but a documentary on our past and present, possible options for a future? What do the hotels use their décor for? Or restaurants, for that matter? Architectural and antique and construction all change but, to get authenticity, they're willing to use original mortar."

"That doesn't explain the airport."

"I said, I think." Kain's laughter stopped, his expression dropping as he lost himself in Zero's eyes. Kain flickered to Zero's lips then back, a question rather than a statement. Had it not been for the rumble in Zero's stomach, he would have accepted. Mentally, he slapped himself, turning his attention to the check out. Kain's bottom lip grew into a pout. "But I'm not done…"

"Every time." Zero muttered. He cleared his throat. "You're never done."

Kain rolled his eyes. "At least wait until I purchase something."

"I'll walk slow." Zero assured him, already heading out. He had walked a block, his eyes on the signs when Kain caught up, holding several bags. If we were normal, Zero thought to himself, his spending habits would put us in debt. He caught Kain with his wide eyes staring at several other stores, his posture suffering with a prominent slouch. Zero bumped his hand into Kain's, gaining his attention. "Haven't you been out with the other kids?"

Kain was silent, his focus on the little space they had left between them. "Once."

Zero stopped in his tracks, opening a door and holding it. Kain thanked him and stood in line. Zero followed. "A whole one time?"

"I had tutors. If I wanted something, we had influencers who would design it. But, mostly, I was surrounded by family."

"What was the occasion that your family let you go outside with the normal kids?" Zero asked. Kain was saved from answering when they were called to the till. Zero was befuddled by Kain, literally holding his hand so he wouldn't walk away after ordering. He had taken it upon himself to teach Kain how to human – whatever that meant.

"We don't pay after we've eaten?" Kain asked.

"Sure, in a different restaurant, maybe. But this is a takeout franchise." Kain stared at him, amazed. Zero shifted the conversation back. Kain's expression darkened. "I mean, you don't have to tell me if-"

"I want to." Kain interjected. He pointed to a table further off. Zero nodded, understanding to mean once they had sat.

Unfortunately, Zero was not patient. Mentally, he cursed at the staff for taking too long, at the server for putting it on a tray too slowly, calling their number too quietly. Kain took the tray and began heading for the table. Zero held onto the shift fabric, allowing Kain only a step. "Drinks."

"Oh…" Kain stared at the tray then at the two cups. "Yeah."

Zero chose one, Kain scrutinized the choices. "What's the difference between Diet and just as it is?"

"A disgusting after taste and less bubbles."

"Is that the Diet?"

"Yeah."

"Regular it is." Kain stared in fascination as he pressed it against the lever.

"Seriously, have you never been out?" Zero scoffed.

"Not into an establishment such as this." Kain shot back. Zero took the tray, his drink prepared and claimed the spot. Unfortunately, others had started gathering around the booth. He glared at them. Only one couple got up from their table, leaving one other resilient family to glare back. Kain approached the table and, sensing the tension between Zero and the family, seemed to switch a demeanor to one authoritative. It gave Zero a pleasant shiver as the family packed up and did what Zero wished. Zero helped himself as Kain choked on his words.

"You don't-"

"It was a fair." Kain cut him off again in a rush of air. Zero waited patiently, chewing slowly. "I didn't know about my dad's affairs. But, mama had promised me that if I did well in my lessons, I could do something I'd never done before. You know part of the story. Not all of it."

"The gypsy." Zero recalled. Kain nodded.

"I wanted to go more than anything. The rides, the cotton candy, people. It was… exotic. I thought I'd have made a friend out of it." Kain opened his container, wrinkling his nose. "That's gross."

"It tastes better than it smells."

"Huh…" He tried an experimental bite, scowling. "You lied."

"Yeah… I do that." Zero quirked a smile as Kain shook his head, resuming his story.

"Katashi had insisted that she was spoiling me. And, she was. Her argument was that I'd have to acclimatize some day and better when I was young than older." He pushed the tray forward upon seeing Zero devour his without a second thought. Kain's eyes shined as though he remembered a detail. "She was walking with a limp, but we were allowed to go. I was lost in the crowd, enjoying the ambiance, I guess. She called for me not to go too far. I tried to heed her but, with the crowd more anxious because of vampires, they started pushing by me… Into the fortune tellers tent. I don't think she had many customers but, even then, I knew she was powerful and knew her craft. Mama had caught up to me before Katashi. He had that cruel grin every time she winced. But, she endured to ask me if I wanted my fortune told. I said I wanted to."

Kain was so absorbed in his tale that Zero felt he was there. He sat next to Akatsuki, the entire world in sepia. Mama's eyes bore into Kain's and Katashi stood at the entrance of the doorway, scoffing. Kain nodded with a smile, eager and shy. Katashi scuffed his shoe on the entrance. "This is a waste of time and money."

"I promised him."

"You promised him so, I have to do it?" Katashi asked, squaring his shoulders.

Mayoko, her eyes narrowed, told Akatsuki to sit as she paid the fortune teller herself. "He wanted to do it. And he gets so little indulging."

"You spoil him!" Katashi argued.

"To grow up to be an aristocrat, yes. Aside from that, he doesn't know anything!" Mayoko shrieked. Zero returned his attention to the fortune teller, flinching as Katashi struck her. He heard the sound as child Akatsuki ignored it, too intent on his future. Eagerly, he stood to see himself reflected in the fog outside his father's building, older.

"All I see…" The fortune teller spoke. Mayoko shushed Katashi, her eyes still in slits as she placed her façade. "Is that you will be successful. But, that's all. There's a dark streak around you, especially where a family is found. You cannot love, Kain. Or, there won't be enough in you to love."

"See? Our fighting is keeping him from a better future." Mayoko insisted.

"Poppycock." Katashi spoke. "No one ever said that love and marriage were the key to a better future."

All at once, Zero was pushed through to the modern day. He hadn't realized that he had eaten all of Kain's food. Kain held his head, his brow furrowed as though something in his head had snapped. Zero clenched his teeth. He had already hated Katashi. But hitting a woman in front of people and her own son? That was cowardice if he ever saw it.

His expression softened as Kain remained in that position, shaking slightly. He slid next to Kain, holding onto the figure tightly. Jerked back to reality, Kain turned his attention to Zero as though he were a ghost. Zero brushed a stray hair out of Kain's face. "She was wrong."

"Was she?"

"She was." He draped an arm around Kain's shoulders. "One day, I'll take you everywhere."

"Everywhere?"

"Yes. You'll live like you're not some great son of some great house. We'll eat take out – better than this, obviously, or you'll starve. Go into strange stores. Maybe you'll have a hippie phase."

"I'm all for peace and love, but weed?' Kain shook his head. "And you'll be annoyed with me."

"True. But I wouldn't pass up a chance to mock you." He smiled.

Kain returned the smile. "God, I love you."

The rest happened faster than Zero's brain could register. He recalled saying I want you. He remembered kissing Kain, pulling the other as close as he could get. He remembered their being told to take it somewhere else, a quick taxi ride. He didn't know where they went after that – only that he recalled Kain's hot skin, the taste of his lips. Kain's insistence to do what made Zero happy. The scratches Zero left. And, the satisfaction knowing he was Kain's first.

A/N: Long chapter! Does that redeem me? Also, I will take guesses as to where they went. Chances are, none of you are going to know this. But, this is based off my friends and mine expeditions.

I did not go into detail with it because Kain will probably make reference to it with words such as OH GOD and WHAT THE HELL and JESUS! This may change based on the following: how detailed do you guys what me to get?