A/N: Hello again, darling readers! Welcome to the wedding of Souen and Aidou! It'll probably show as a traditional Western wedding ceremony cause I'm not that creative.


"Get it away from my face." Zero Kiryuu argued again, sinking into his chair and purposely turning his head this way and that. He knew it was childish to act like this but, with the combined efforts of Ruuka Souen and Rima Touya, it was the only control he'd have on this occasion.

"Hold…" Souen exhaled loudly, gripping his cheeks between her middle finger and thumb. As he tried to pry them off, she smiled triumphantly. "Touya, what do you think?"

Touya craned her neck to look as Souen held Zero's arms at his sides, doing her best to keep him stationary. "It suits him. He can almost pass for human."

The words struck an accord with Zero. Souen sighed. "How do you know exactly the right words to get him to stop being such a little punk-ass baby?"

"Hey!" Zero called out.

"He is my 'brother'." She reminded her, using the familiar term.

"He's supposed to be my 'son' yet, he does nothing I ask of him." She shook her head, returning to the vanity. Despite all the fuss he had made, Zero left the lip gloss on, almost shaking his head. Had anyone asked back at the academy if I'd rather get stuck in an elevator with Mama or Rima, he started, the family terms somehow warming him, I'd have taken it as a threat. He examined them as they poured over the options. Souen's soft, toffee-colored hair framed her face almost angelically though, her brown eyes would suggest a strong, warrior queen. Touya, on the other hand, remained childish in both face and hair yet, her docile expression often shifted to the most excitable mood shift Zero knew. It was weird for him to consider even two years ago, he'd have happily killed them and moved on with his life.

"You do eyeliner, I do blush?" Souen strategized.

"Please – he can apply his own damn eyeliner." Touya argued, messing with a straightener. Zero sighed and examined himself in the mirror, trying his best not to scowl. The light pink lip gloss Souen had chosen for him accentuated rather than focused. Somehow, the color complemented his trademark lilac eyes, giving them a lift rather than their listlessness. Not for the first time, Zero pulled down his sleeve, annoyed that the blue marks hadn't healed as fast as he wanted them to.

"Up." Souen stood in front of him, applying the blush just under his cheek bones. "Stop glaring at me. You said you'd do it."

"Why are you here, anyway?" Zero asked as she finished, starting to apply the eyeliner lest Touya involve herself. "Don't you have enough to do?"

"You were at the rehearsal." She blushed, turning the engagement ring around her finger. "Anyway, it's my decision to be here and it beat having a forced bachelorette party."

"Still, aren't most brides up all night worrying the night before?" Zero questioned. He instantly regretted it, watching Souen's expression shift. "I'm just the distraction, right?"

"And a shit one at that." Touya interjected, readjusting his shirt. She sighed at the bruise on his chest, the flash of pity causing Zero to hide it again. Luckily, Souen didn't notice.

"You'll be –"

"At the hotel at eight pm sharp." Zero reassured. "I've got the ring though, still not sure why Dad chose me."

He felt the twinge of regret for his own fathers: the one who'd never see him grow, the rough but caring father, and the one that insisted he needed a hug. Still, it was as weird as it was natural that Aidou was now a part of that list. I've got to stop doing that… He reprimanded himself. The joke's run on so long, I'm starting to believe it. "Ow."

"Sorry!" Touya apologized, not sounding sorry. He hated the hot feeling as his hair fell against his neck, the slight curls angering him.

"Can't we just leave it alone?"

"You want to make a good impression tonight." Souen reminded him, leaning against the vanity.

"Does that mean I have to look like a pin-up girl?"

"Mm-hmm." Touya interjected, setting the straightener down. "Remember what I told you about Takuma? You have to look your best and like you belong on his arm. He has a crazy army of fans and most were Shiki supporters."

"Did they have a ship name?" Souen asked, pushing back Zero's hair. He hated that the gesture brought him comfort.

"It's been too long." Touya stated, shrugging. Souen's phone rang, announcing a text. For a moment, her eyes shone with excitement, dulling only a little. At seeing her falling face, Touya busied herself with readjusting Zero's hair to something more suitable. At least her taste matched his.

"Hana wants reassurance that I'm being good."

"No, you've been on the stripper pole and have screwed too many men to be good." Touya joked, forcing Souen's hand. She rubbed her arm, trying her best to put on her pouty face. "Big meanie."

"You guys done playing Human Barbie?" Zero asked. Touya nodded. Souen studied him with a critical eye.

"Yeah, you look good enough. Though, you don't exactly scream 'not a money whore' yet."

He flipped her off, glad to finally stand. Flinching, he pulled the back of his shirt down, annoyed that the fabric somehow caught in the new scars. Touya sighed and readjusted his shirt. "Now, keep the focus on Takuma. I know you're naturally hot and they'll be discussing your relationship but, it's better to let him do the talking."

"This isn't the first interview I've been to." Zero muttered, the flashbacks of one of the interviewers shoving a microphone in his face when he went to pick up Touya from the studio still annoying.

"No but, it is the first one where you're a main person of interest." They all quieted as Souen's phone went off. The slight elevation of hope rang from the two girls.

"Just Hana." Souen answered, her face falling again.

"If that's all." Zero stated, hating the constant elevations. It set him on edge. Both Touya and Souen wished him luck as he knocked on the studio door. One of the assistants gestured for him to follow her. Ichijo stood waiting, his eyes on his watch.

"Five minutes." He muttered at Zero's approach. He forced his best smile as Zero stood next to him, crossing his arms over his chest. "How are you?"

Zero shrugged. "Fine enough. You?"

"Really? I thought you'd be more nervous."

"After all the gossip between being Sayori and Rima's lover… I just want this over with."

"Right." Silence. Zero was familiar with this. It was the silence after the pain, his reaction after every blow up. He tried not to tense if Ichijo's hand came too close to him. "Just this interview and then, two weeks and we won't see each other for… Three months."

"I know." Zero answered. It was that knowledge that he enjoyed the most. Three months of hanging with Kaito and Touya, annoying Souen. Planning the next move. "Don't you have dinner with the Kuran's tomorrow?"

"Mm. Might swing by the reception." One of the assistants nodded to them. Immediately, Ichijo grasped Zero's hand, instantly all smiles as they stepped into the spotlight. Zero forced himself to relax and not glare at Ichijo's arm around his shoulders. He was glad the interview was more focused on what Ichijo planned rather than their relationship. It allowed him the chance to examine the crowd. Granted, most of them were faceless beings – just outlines of dark demons. Human, vampire, the shapeshifting monsters… Unfortunately, it was their abilities to be nothing and everything that caused the hallucination. It was the same examination that he would have done, burning into his face rather than his body.

"Kiryuu?" The interviewer asked. He raised an eyebrow, turning his head slightly.

"Hmm?" He ignored the pain shooting up his left side.

"What's the nature of yours and Ichijo's relationship?"

… Mother…. "… We were friends first."

That must have been the right thing to say. The interview continued, asking for tidbits of gossip. Zero tried his best to seem supportive of Ichijo, unsure of what was being asked half the time. The interviewer nodded. "Now, this last question is for Zero."

Ichijo tilted his head as the image popped on screen. The darkened living room with someone peering in. He recognized the couch, the posture. He almost smiled, remembering Kain being so nonchalant about the tabloid. The interviewer lowered their head. "Normally, we don't ask about tabloids –"

"Why are you doing so now?" Ichijo questioned, his arm falling around Zero's waist.

"Many fans have theorized that this is you in the photo with business tycoon, Akatsuki Kain."

Zero studied the photo, sensing Ichijo's tensing jaw. "No."

Again, it was the right thing to say. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from the room. Zero lowered his head, his gut twisting. But, what else was he supposed to say?


"You have the ring?" Aidou asked for the millionth time, his paranoia and excessive biting of his fingernails getting the better of him. Zero nodded, bringing Aidou's hand from his face.

"Just focus on your vows." He told the blonde.

"Right, right." Aidou exhaled, his rumbling stomach echoing through the venue. The Clan turned to the nervous vampire who stared at Zero. "Do you have any food?"

"Why didn't you eat before we got here?" Zero asked, seriously questioning whether or not Aidou was ready for this.

"Nausea and now, I want to stress eat." Aidou innocently answered, his big blue eyes searching.

"Do you want me to try to find you something?" Zero asked as one of the other Groomsmen tried to diffuse the situation with a joke.

"See if Touya has any candy… And if she's willing to share… Hell, take it from her and leave her crying…"

"… Right." He bit back his retort, suddenly sorry for the futuristic, hypothetical kid. Not only would they have a Tiger mom but a childish dad as well. Who'd, apparently, steal their candy. How is it, he thought to himself as he wandered down the hall, that the most childish couple is one of my favorites? He almost laughed at himself as he knocked on the door.

"What's the color?" One of the bridesmaids asked.

"Lilac." Zero answered, adjusting his tie. She opened the door and let him rush past. Souen rose, sighing at Zero's approach.

"No sign?"

"No." He studied her gown as she sat again, the anxiety also getting to her. Her floor length dress flowed about an inch past her feet. "You look beautiful."

"Shut up." She muttered, a blush creeping on her cheeks. Suddenly, her eyes widened. "You're not collecting notes for Hana, right?"

"No, just candy."

"Oh, don't like that answer." Touya spoke. Souen sighed and stood again, pacing.

"How's the turn out?"

"Not that impressive."

Her face fell as she nodded to herself. "I guess it was a bit silly to expect my family to be here…"

In two steps, Zero rested his hands on her shoulders. She lowered her gaze, slightly kicking the carpet.

"Look at me." Slowly, she obeyed. "You are Ruuka Souen. Today, you are marrying the man you love – not the man chosen but the man you love. Your venue is beautiful, you're beautiful and your groom is stress eating."

She wrinkled her nose. "If he pops a button…"

Zero smirked, nodding slightly as the fiery nature started. "Do you want to marry Aidou?"

"Yes."

"Then, family or no family. At eleven-forty five, you walk down that aisle like you own it."

Her gaze dropped again. "I will. I just… I wish at least someone blood related would show up."

"Hey!" Touya intervened. Souen's head snapped to her. "What are we? Chopped liver?"

"Like you don't want your parents at your wedding?"

"You honestly want, on your day, to be listening about how you should be marrying Akitty? On his day, you want Aidou to be told how much he meddled in that?" Touya questioned. Zero dropped his hands from Souen as she straightened. "You want to spend your wedding night feeling like crap when you should be getting freaky?"

"You're right." Souen smiled a little to herself.

"Touya, candy." Zero held out his hand.

"Only three." Souen ordered. Zero nodded once, gliding past the halls as he returned to Aidou.

"Only three." He reiterated as Aidou started chomping on them.

"Ruuka…" He shook his head, his face scrunching. "Just cause the tux is a little tight does not mean she can control what I eat."

"Sure." Zero patted his shoulder. The music started swelling. Despite his earlier complaints, Aidou stood straighter, his eyes darting to the door in anticipation. Zero followed in suit, watching as each bridesmaid passed the rows. Aidou's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, taking Souen in. At first, she moved slowly, examining the guests she passed. When her eyes fell on Aidou, she quickened her pace, a smile breaking out across her face.

The officiate was thorough yet, the words blurred past Zero's memory. Aidou spoke first. "You are… my everything, Ruuka Souen. The passion, the understanding… You are my rock, my competitor, my therapist, my protector. The most aggravating person I know and the kindest. Vulnerable and strong. I think I'm lucky because I know how lucky I am and, that's not something I'll ever take lightly… Mostly cause you won't ever let me forget it."

Souen chuckled, wiping the tears off her face. She cleared her throat, trying her best not to cry. "Hana… Half the time, I want to kill you. Fine, I'll be honest. Most of the time."

Aidou smiled at that. She shrugged. "But, it's the way you aggravate me. Mentioning something I'm not ready to admit or realize. Trying to get me to think rationally rather than how I feel. The way you hold me no matter what. You're my flashlight in the dark, the guiding light. My love."

It took all their resolve not to step closer. Aidou's grip on her hands tightened, her expression darkening even with the fresh tears in her eyes. Zero handed him the ring. Touya did the same for Souen. Aidou's hand shook as he slid her ring onto her finger. She followed in suit, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Zero was expecting the happily ever after kiss. He stepped back as Aidou nuzzled her neck, Souen doing the same. The smell of blood permeated the air. Immediately, he avoided his gaze, nausea and his fangs elongating. Touya stepped toward him, steadying him as the couple walked back down the aisle. "Candy?"

"Tablet." He amended. Touya clicked her tongue and led him away from the altar.


The plan worked perfectly. He only had to ask her to livestream it to his phone. She was the only one he could ask for this favor, knowing perfectly well that the others would be actively involved. The only thing that angered him was how he couldn't be there. Not at that time.

Enmei stood next to him, covering a yawn as they stood on the hill looking into the venue. "Why didn't you just go in? Why do we have to trust Wakaba to film it?"

"Live stream it." Kain fixed, Wakaba ending the video. He shoved the phone in his pocket. "You're as bad as your dad."

Enmei shrugged. "What time am I coming back?"

"… I'll figure out my accommodations. Thank you." The younger Gonkuro shrugged again, returning to the car. Kain joined the attendees, mingling into the crowd. He ignored the shaking as the brunette came into view. He tapped her on the shoulder, pressing a finger to his lips as her expression changed from surprise to understanding.

"When'd you get in?" She whispered.

"About half way through the ceremony. Thank you, by the way." He gestured to her phone, not bothering to look at her. The cravings were difficult as it was.

"Yeah, no problem. I'm assuming you didn't come in because the talk would start."

"Exactly." He offered a halfhearted smile, his eyes falling on the silver head. "How are they?"

"Zero's good. Rima… still won't talk to me." Her eyes fell to the floor. He nudged her shoulder.

"She thinks she's protecting you."

"I know. I also know she doesn't need to." The two he was following turned off as the attendees continued to the reception room. He stopped at the corner, keeping them in view.

"You know she's stubborn."

"I know." Wakaba's eyes followed the blonde. Kain noted that she turned right where the silver turned left. "We'll talk later."

"If there is a later." He remarked, watching her follow the path of the attendees. He turned into the corridor, his hand rubbing his arm in a self-soothing gesture. He stopped at the crossroads, sipping the wine again. He turned left, sure that if he turned right, he'd be dead. As he approached, he heard his cousin's voice. Kain stopped, studying the half-dressed man as he leaned against the door frame.

"Just… Beautiful." Aidou ran a hand through his blonde hair, the grin on his face growing. "I mean, she always is…"

"You're rambling." Kiryuu's voice broke out. One of the ushers leaned towards the mirror, catching Kain's reflection. Kain froze, expecting him to shout out the arrival. Instead, the Usher rushed past him, probably heading to Touya and Souen. Kain stepped into the room, pressing his finger to the only other usher he didn't know. The guy seemed to care less, on his phone.

"I mean, I thank you for stepping up." Aidou tried to remedy, buttoning his still dressy but not a tux shirt. "I just think she would have been happier if…"

Aidou stopped midsentence, catching a glimpse of the aristocrat. Kiryuu continued the sentence. "I know, I know. She made it clear."

Once Aidou whipped around, Kain tried his best to smile and focus on his face. His eyes flittered to his neck. "Akatsuki…"

"Would have been the first choice. I know. You don't…" Aidou ran to his cousin, smacking his shoulder. The eldest grinned.

"Son of a gun…" Aidou exhaled in disbelief. "You're actually here."

"Here I am." Kain answered, letting his cousin's arms wrap around him. His eyes fell on Kiryuu, the disbelieving gaze mixed with confusion. It was interrupted by four hands pulling Kain out of Aidou's embrace.

"Baka, baka, baka, baka, baka!" Touya started, hitting any limb she could. Kain sighed.

"Touya, you can hit me after Ruuka, okay?"

The blonde started pouting as he turned to his cousin. She held the same look as Kiryuu, the same disbelief. The tears started flowing as her face turned red. Kain backed up, annoyed that the wall was right behind him. "Why weren't you here earlier?"

The explosion of one of her rants mixed with her fists against Kain's chest lasted for minutes, devolving between sobs and hugs. She dug her fingernails into his shirt as he held her, trying to soothe her tantrum. Aidou nodded to his cousin, helping to pry her off him. He turned to Touya, arms outstretched. Immediately, she began again.

"Okay, it's out of my system." She told him, wrapping her arms around her waist. "Is Senri with you?"

"He won't be here until tomorrow." He explained, his eyes falling on Kiryuu. The latter rested against the arm of the couch, his resolve returning. "Kiryuu, you're up. Hit me, swear at me…"

The other shrugged. "It's good to see you."

Kain nodded. "You look well."

"I am."

Silence. Aidou clapped his hands, Souen's cheeks drying as she ran to hug Kain tightly. "The sexual tension between you two –"

"There is none." Kiryuu answered, standing again. Kain's eyes dropped to the floor, his tongue running over his fangs. He hadn't expected it to hurt. "I'll let you all catch up."


Seven pages… Seriously.