Alrightie, minna. Sry it took so long to update. Other things kept getting in the way, like looking for a job ... and friends having crises. ::sigh:: What a world! Anyway, to those who've reviewed ::hands out plushies::

Darkmaster2: Indeed; poor, blind, self-pitying Shido. He's still unable to to get too close to ppl! Someone should should smack him upside the head ... ;)

Bejipan: XD Thank-you soooooooo much! I hope I'll be able to keep you entertained. Btw, I agree, the best fics are Shido x Cain but i started writing this long before I'd read any fanfictions.

MarsStarPrincess: I don't know ... Shido seems to have accepted his loss ... we'll see. ;)

SnowPixie: Thnx! I intend to!

Irebian: Wow! That makes me feel sooooo great! I'll try to update more regularly from now on.

This hasn't been beta-read, so plz bear with me, but here goes.

I awoke to see a beautiful face, blond locks framing golden eyes that burned with a deep, slow, icy fire. The face watched me with a tight, self-assured smile. Something wasn't right. Then I remembered.

Shido! I barely stopped myself from suddenly bolting upright. Cain's eyes laughed at my shocked look. I closed my eyes and rolled over, feeling sick as I pulled the covers over my shoulder.

The bed quivered as he got up. He demandingly said one foreign word, "Taku." The sound of a slight puff of air made me turn to look. Then I did spring to a sitting position, staring, clutching the sheet to my chest. There, hovering before Cain was a fairy identical to Guni except for two things: she was smiling sweetly, and, more noticeably, she was pink! She had burgundy hair and shining, gossamer wings, which resembled those of a butterfly.

"Good evening, Master!"

Cain bit back, "Is it?" The fairy shrank from the spite in his tone and the venomous glance he shot her. "Bring Riho something. I won't have my guests starving." He looked at me with what would have been a debonair smile on anyone else. But standing there, hands on his hips in a collared, red velvet robe, it was more a threatening leer than anything else. The fairy looked at me blinkingly bewildered for a moment, as if she'd just noticed my presence, and then smiled a greeting at me.

"Well?" Cain was glaring at her expectantly.

"Right!" She remembered herself and quickly flashed out again.

I wondered what he was up to; I'd just eaten the night before. I remembered with shame how I'd been unable to keep myself from sucking the child's life away. She had been someone's daughter, someone's sister. And I had . . .

I shuttered and felt sick again. I didn't think I could bring myself to repeat the horrific act now.

I sat on the bed staring into space. Eventually I realized I was staring at a heavy red velvet curtain which covered the whole wall. I shot a curious glance over at Cain to see him fully dressed and watching me thoughtfully. I looked away again quickly and swallowed, as he came to sit close behind me. I stared straight ahead wondering if it was really evening as Taku had said; if so, why wasn't the light of a sunset filtering in around the curtain's edges?

Cain placed his hands on my upper arms, gently brushing my skin with his fingertips. I looked at the gold curtain rod with its fluted grooves and ornate finial caps. He slid his hands down my arms to my bare thighs. I was appalled to feel my body begin to ache in answer to his soft caresses. I sat rigidly still and traced the curtain's folds with my eyes. He ran the backs of his hands over my legs, leaning in to rest against my bare back in his satin waistcoat, chin on my shoulder. I kept my stare straight ahead. The curtains, his fingers, . . . were a little long, and pooled, were reaching, . . . slightly on the floor. He wrapped his arms around me in a possessive embrace. I squeezed my eyes shut, as he kissed my naked shoulder. His soft hair gently brushed my cheek. The curtains . . . ! His breath came hot on my neck –

"Ah-hem!" My eyes flew open to see the pink fairy fluttering over the foot of the bed, holding a small silver tray with a full wine glass on it. She flashed a nervous, apologetic grin and I could hear an answering low growl deep in Cain's throat. Taku quickly came around to the side of the bed. Cain drew away from me as she did, but not before I caught a glimpse of exposed white fang.

He reached over and took the glass, narrowed eyes never leaving Taku. I wouldn't have thought she could blush, but she did, her cheeks turning bright scarlet. She couldn't meet his gaze, but only bit her lip and then flashed out with the tray. Cain scowled once more before returning his attentions to me.

"Breakfast." The smirk was back in his eyes, the twisted smile curving his lips as he handed me the glass. Hesitantly, I took it, trying not to tremble and spill. I uttered a low thanks, avoiding eye contact. He was watching me intently, gaze unwavering. I nervously raised the glass to my lips. At least, it wasn't another live feeding; I tried to focus on that as I somehow willed myself to take the first sip.

My eyes flew wide open at the exquisite taste on my tongue. The blossom of flavor, substantial yet not overpowering, flowing over my pallet, melting away built up tensions & releasing overly taught muscles. I sipped again, enjoying the heady rush of the light after taste. It was somehow familiar, but I couldn't quite place where I'd experienced it before. This blood had a fullness to it that I'd never before experienced in human blood. I was reminded of Shido's hypnotic taste, but it wasn't the same.

Not that Shido mattered at the moment.

I smiled at Cain as I downed the rest of the glass and passed it back to him. His beautiful golden eyes smiled back at me approvingly; I couldn't help but grin wider. He deposited the glass on a night stand before turning back to me.

"Come." He held out his hands to help me up. I couldn't help but marvel at his loose, gorgeous golden hair as he took my fingers in a delicate grasp and pulled me off the bed. The sheet slipped over my form to drift lightly to the bed and I stood before him seeking his continued approval in those mesmerizing eyes. They shone back at me intensely, laughingly almost, as if he found my want of validation amusing. He ran his gaze over me appreciatively.

"As beautiful as you are like this, I believe Taku has laid out something for you." He gestured to a vanity I hadn't noticed before, where garments of black lace & silk were draped over a dainty chair. My eyes lit up. The dress was enchanting, a bodice covered in lace would fit snugly above the looser silk skirts hanging around soft leather calf-length boots. A light black velvet cape would cover the shoulders left bare by the dress.

My face must have shown my delight, because Cain chuckled in that endearing way of his and drew my chin up for a kiss with one cool hand. Before releasing me he whispered, "Hurry, now. I've much to teach you and the night is young." His eyes twinkled as he pulled away and spun on a heel, striding for the door. It fell quietly closed after him.

I licked my lips and glanced at the clothes again before springing to draw them on.

I'm gonna try to do at least one chapter per week from now on. This week's bribe: all reviewers get special cookies in the shape of Shido's sword! XD