Slam. Kain winced at the sound, suddenly back in his room at the mansion. His mother's voice followed, berating Kitashi and warning him that his actions would wake Kain. Kitashi's booming voice filtered through the door. Something broke. A vase. Someone started screaming. Child Kain jumped onto his bed, throwing the blankets over him and the pillow over his head, trying to drown out the sound.

Adult Kain backed himself against the wall, suddenly out of his reverie to his bed sheets on fire. He hissed, putting out the fire on his sheets. Need new ones… He sighed to himself as he slid down the wall. Kitashi's ghost paced before him, scolding him. He pulled out his phone, finding Touya's number. She picked up on the fourth thing. "Kain?"

"Morning." He was hollow. At least it conveyed how he felt.

"Lovers quarrel or what?" She yawned, shooing away what he assumed an attendant. He didn't answer. She didn't speak but, he could hear from the Touya! In the background that she had left her hair and makeup station. It was confirmed when the howling wind picked up on the receiver. "Kain?"

"Mmm?"

"What'd he do?"

Kain gripped his legs tighter. "Nothing…"

"Nothing my fridging perfect butt." He could hear her rubbing her temple. "What's wrong?"

"Just…" His unoccupied hand balled into a fist. "Angry?"

"… You're not like this when you're angry."

"Let's just say that I am."

"Okay." He could almost watch her pacing in a circle. "Why are you angry?"

"Kiryuu. Obviously."

"Oh, that clears everything up!" Touya's sarcasm bordered on the line of frustration. "If you're not going to tell me, hang up!"

"He called Shiki a whore." He replied after several minutes of annoyed sighs and bit down on his lip.

"And? What of it?"

"Just…"

"Kain… Something else you want to share?" Silence. She exhaled. "Shiki is a whore. You know it, I know it, Ichijo knows it, Kuran knows it… Hell, the entirety of the vampire world knows it. What. Of. It."

"To hear him say it…"

"Mm." He could see her nodding her head. "Hearing it come from an outsiders mouth made you angry."

Kain made a sound in assent. It didn't explain the sudden memory but, for now, it would serve as an explanation. "Kain… You're supposed to be crushing on him. Pretend you like him and, he's going to say inconsiderate things. That's normal in a relationship. Honeymoon stage. In reality, we hate him, he hates us."

"But… What if he doesn't really hate us?"

"Puh-lease." He almost smiled at the comment. "He'd love to tear us all apart and kill us all. Which, makes your job easier – if you have a thing for the dangerous dude."

Kain managed to rise long enough to flop onto his bed. "There's other things about this that I don't know."

"Like…"

"How do I bring up the idea that I want to date him when you and I know that I don't?"

"You want me to brainwash you?"

"Yes."

"Fine. But, it's going to have to be after work."

"I'll sleep until then."

"No. Go spend some time with him."

"I… can't."

"Why?"

"… I may or may not have punched him…"

Touya groaned. "Kain… I want to help you. But you have got to stop doing stupid things!"

He shrunk. "What am I supposed to do?"

"… How… In…" She sighed deeply. "Apologize! Right now!"

She hung up. Kain scratched the back of his head. How was he supposed to apologize? Hi, sorry about that, we good? Or, was it supposed to be: I'm sorry but… No buts, he chastised himself. By now, he should be able to control his temper. He opened the door, watching as his roommate jumped from the couch, fists up. "Back for round two?"

Kain held up his hands, sorrow eating away at him for the red mark still on his skin. He wandered toward the other. He bowed, his hands resting on his thighs as he did so. "I'm sorry."

He waited for Kiryuu to laugh at him. "… What?"

"I said, I'm sorry."

"For…?" Kain straightened, his eyes on Kiryuu's. The other appeared surprised, if not apprehensive.

"I shouldn't have gotten mad like that. We all know Shiki's reputation. I know Shiki's reputation." He stated the last quietly, bowing and rising again as he did so. "You were just stating facts, like you said."

"Apology accepted." Kain exhaled, still slightly annoyed that he had to apologize in the first place. Kiryuu broke him out of his thoughts. "So… Should we find you a fake honey?"

Kain paled, his attention on a thread that had unraveled from his shirt. He tugged on it. "I… May have an idea of how to deal with it."

"Share the idea tomorrow."

Kain snapped his head back to Kiryuu, glad for the reprieve. At least he could ask Touya her opinion before broaching the subject again. "You sure?"

"Yeah." Kiryuu covered his mouth with a yawn. "I'm sleepy."

It seemed like an eternity when Touya finally arrived to the hotel bar. Kain stood, covering the fresh scratches and scabs on his fingertips. "Feels like forever since we were last here. Business in town?"

"Further away from Kiryuu I am, less chance of him finding out anything."

"Eh, fair enough." She held up a hand. "Whiskey on the rocks."

"Tough day?"

"New model. He's an ass. Kept mentioning he'd like a threesome when he found out I didn't swing his way." She pulled out one of the hair pins, wrapping the piece around her hand before tying it into her signature braid. "What questions do you have?"

"A million and one."

"Right." She flagged the barkeep down again. "We'll take a bottle of tequila and a lime wedge. No, I don't mean a margherita. And, we'll be in the back booth."

Kain raised an eyebrow but followed as she led him to the destination. He climbed into the furthest booth, his back to the wall. Touya snapped her fingers. "What?"

"Before I forget…" She smacked his arm, hard.

"What the hell!" Kain rubbed the area.

"That's for worrying me all throughout. You never get like that…" The concern evaporated as quickly as it came, the tequila placed on the table. "All right, questions. Did you bring your notebook?"

Kain snickered. "Yes. Show me your ways."

She poured the first drink as he fumbled through his brain. "How do I bring up the idea that I want to date him when you and I know that I don't?"

"Ah. That's why I did my research."

"Research?"

"Well, I thought about it and how I got my girl. Kiryuu's simple in taste and in tactics. So, I thought about asking someone what he likes. Figured it would be a little awkward to ask Yuuki since… So, I asked Aidou. He lived with him for a bit, right?"

"Yeah."

"And, with a guy like that…" Touya shook her head. "No one will believe you asked him out, Kain. Not when you've never had a boyfriend."

"I'm not hearing any answers." Kain drained a shot.

"I'm giving you the reasons."

"Skip to what I need to do."

"Fine, jumpy." She sipped on her whiskey. "You're a classic romantic."

Kain glared at her. "Based on what?"

"Have you seen how many dramas you watch? The secret glances, the blush. The way you start offering things. Like when you offered Shiki Pocky and were so upset when he pulled out a pack, saying no. And, the fact that you want someone to bring you chocolate on St. Xocolatl's Day or flowers when you're stressed or-"

"Fine. Make me sound like a girl." He glowered at her, another shot gone.

"No, no. This is a good thing."

"It is?"

"We all know Kiryuu's past. Other than Yuuki and Headmaster Cross, no one really shows him any affection. And, according to Aidou, he likes to eat."

"That explains him asking if I wanted to eat…" Kain mulled.

"See? You're already doing it: remembering stuff that he says. But then, you've always been good at that." She pointed to a small rune charm bracelet.

"You hinted that one to me at least six times."

"I mentioned it once. Everything else was a charm I wanted which, you also remembered."

"… But, it mattered to you."

"Exactly." Touya pinched the bridge of her nose before taking his hand. "It's why you're the best gift giver. You remember what people mentioned a lifetime ago and make sure they get it. Even if you have no clue how to, you don't stop it."

"… Is this when I tried to get Aidou that expensive chocolate filling bag for his chocolate blood-filled invention?"

"See? You even know what I'm talking about. Use this skill, Kain."

"Okay… So, show him I like him by showing affection… Just like I show all my other friends and family."

"Hey, friends is a start." She waggled her eyebrows. "Then, it's stage two. The stage you suck at."

"What's that stage?"

"Accidental touching. Hair. Hand. Butt. Thigh." She snickered as he downed another, avoiding eye contact. "

"All of this is good but… I still don't want to date him." Kain whined.

"Oh, that requires brainwashing."

"I have to brainwash myself?"

"Yes."

"How?"

She shrugged. "Is there anything about his appearance you like?"

Kain was silent. Kiryuu was attractive, no doubt about it. Rima interrupted the thought process. "If in doubt, imagine him shirtless."

Somewhere in his mind, a switch turned on. Intense eyes, silver hair getting in his face. Seductive pose. Kain's eyes widened as he straightened, downing. Touya grinned. "That work?"

"I don't like that."

"There's nothing wrong with it."

"There's everything wrong with it."

"What? You saw something you don't like?" No answer. Touya tried to hide her smile. "Or, something you like a bit too much?"

Down. Down. Down. Down. She laughed. "Poor Kain – so blushy."

"I hate you."

"I know."

Silence. Touya sipped her drink, waiting for the next question that was still formulating in Kain's brain. "How do I trick him? And, how long before I can say success?"

"Don't trick him into anything. You're an open book as far as he can tell – be earnest."

"Is that why you had me brain wash myself?"

This time, Touya took a drink. "As to when… I'd say… By the next gathering."

"Too soon." Kain answered, resting his head back.

"Better too soon than never. The Kuran's are getting impatient." Kain nodded. Touya studied him for a moment. "There's a conflicting question in your head."

"Stop reading my mind."

"Stop being easy to read." She flagged down the barkeep, pointing to her drink and flipping them off as they stalked towards the bar. "What is it?"

"… What if Kiryuu isn't gunning for anyone and what I said at the beginning is true?"

"Could happen. Doubtful."

"But then, I'm just playing with some dude's heart."

"No. You're not."

"I am."

Touya hid a smirk. "Kain… You're so genuine, it's creepy."

Her demeanor darkened. Kain gripped her hand. "What's up?"

"Just worried that you're going to get hurt."

"I won't get hurt."

"True… You'll probably get rejected." Even has he sipped his drink, he could tell that she was lying. She slammed the glass on the table. "By the way, you stink. How much have you had to drink?"

He gestured to the bottle. Her gaze darkened. He started counting on his fingers. She nodded. "That's what I thought."

"But, I'm not drunk."

"That's what you said last time."

"But, I'm not…"

"Uh-huh. Come on." She placed his arm over her shoulder.

"Where are we going?" His legs started wobbling under his weight.

"I'm taking you home."

"I'm home." He slurred, hushing his voice as he traipsed through the apartment, kicking off his shoes as he did so.

"Kain, hold it!" Touya scolded, unzipping her boots.

"Shoulda worn the heels." He hiccoughed.

"Heels are murder."

"So's wearing leather." He peered into his room, ignoring the shadows of his mind and slipping through the home office.

"Kain…"

"Kiryuu, if you're asleep, don't answer." Kain warned through the door.

"Kain." Kain turned his head just as his hand landed on the doorhandle. "Kiryuu's not here."

Kain shrugged and opened the door. Nothing lurked behind it. He closed it again, slipping onto the balcony. No one lurking behind that, either. "All clear."

"Get your butt back in here!" Touya ordered, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and literally dragging him back. He twirled in a circle, humming a song to himself.

"Touya, I think I'm drunk!"

"Really? That just occurred to you?"

"The waiter was really nice. Called you a bitch though." He hiccoughed, leaning against the counter and almost slid. His brow furrowed as he picked up a piece of paper. "Oh, Kiryuu."

"You're drunk." Touya stated as she grabbed it from him. He whined and tried to take it back. She shoved him aside, reading the letter out loud. "Off to Munachen. Be back in three."

"Minutes? Days? Weeks? Years? Months? Wait… Months comes before years… Minutes? Days? Wait… I forgot hours. And seconds."

"Kain…"

"What?"

"You're being loud and annoying and you're really drunk."

"Sorry." He quieted his voice and whispered: "is this better?"

"Yes." He smiled to himself and fell back onto the couch. Then, the world was black.

He was waiting. Kain hated to be left alone for more than ten minutes. Still, drink in his hand, he craned his neck to see if his guest was coming. He checked his phone. No messages. Nothing.

He hated to be waiting for anyone or anything. Even him. Especially him. For the millionth time, he wondered if their phone was cut off. Or, if they were in trouble. Or, if they just wouldn't show up.

"Hey." He glanced and stood. The faceless person sat across from him, emotionless. The face would change. Shiki. Ruuka. Katashi. Kiryuu. Touya. Hanabusa. On and on, the combinations would spin, playing a sick game of roulette. Still, he poured a drink. "Am I late?"

The voice was distorted, lending no hint as to the person's identity. He smiled and shook his head. "Not at all."

"Good. I'd hate to have kept you waiting." It decided on Shiki's.

Kain shrugged, forcing the smile down. "You'd never keep me waiting."

"Want to bet?" He shook his head and poured another for himself. When he returned his gaze, it was Kiryuu's face and the purple eyes were challenging.

"But… We're already betting." Kain mentioned, suddenly aware he was dreaming.

"A deadly game."

Kain jerked awake, the first page of a drafted contract stuck to his face. He searched anxiously, finding nothing familiar to him. Except the portrait of Katashi on the wall. He nodded to himself, confirming some of his surroundings.

Oak desk. Corner office – smaller than the broom closet and stacked to the wall with documents left to be dealt with. The partners had offered him the center offices and he refused, saying he wouldn't be there often. Yet, for three days, he remained motionless.

"Mr. Kain." His secretary acknowledged as he stepped out, stretching skyward. "Can I get you anything?"

"Coffee." He turned his upper body one way then another, watching her prance away. He raised an eyebrow. Was she always wearing a skirt that short? Surely the other partners would have to have a talk with her.

He returned to his desk, groaning as another document started printing. Ignoring that one, he collected the stack he had authorized and set it on her desk. He turned to leave but paused at the photo on her desk. The man kissed her cheek as she took the photo. He shook his head. Not my business.

He seated himself in the leather chair, turning on his phone. Three PM. Day three. Six missed calls, one angry text message and a threatening e-mail – all from Touya. He glared at the folders still piled high in his office before messaging her. Talk later. Working.

Work, he attempted though, try as he might, Kain failed. Pieces and segments of the dream flooded into his head, drowning the contracts into the sea of meaningless words. His phone rang again. Without so much as a look at it, he picked up. "Kain speaking."

"You're alive." The other stated.

Kain froze, wracking his brain around the voice. "How'd you get this number?"

"You gave it to me?"

Kiryuu. He realized. "Right, right."

"Checking to see if you're home."

Kain stared at the pile of folders, audibly sighing. "I probably won't be home for another… six years. At this rate."

"Family business?" Kain could almost hear the spite in Kiryuu's voice.

"I'm only here one day out of the month and yet, they keep piling work on me…" Kain whined, leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, poor you." Zero mocked. "Must be so hard, signing all those documents."

"Always read before you sign." Kain shared. "Six million, ten thousand, eight hundred pages…"

"Small font?"

"Need a microscope."

Kiryuu chuckled wryly. "I thought that's what the legal department was for."

"I probably need to fire one of them for continuously adding the stipulation where I'm personally responsible for everything that goes wrong. What's it got to do with me if the manufacturer failed?"

"You still sold it."

"Yes but, I have a contract with all vendors saying the same thing: if it's an issue with the product, it's their problem, not mine."

"Cover your ass."

"Basically." Kain sighed. "How'd the hunt go?"

"… Classified."

"So, you just called to hear me bitch?"

"That and I wanted to make sure you weren't dead."

"Can't have Touya thinking you killed me?" Speak of the devil, Kain thought as Touya texted him, telling him that Kiryuu was back in town.

"Among the others." Silence. This time, it wasn't awkward. Kiryuu broke it. "See you when you're home."

"Whenever that is." Kain muttered, hanging up. The secretary set down his coffee, a smile on her face. He ignored it. "You're new."

"Guilty." She blushed.

"What happened to…" He snapped his fingers and pointed to the desk. "What's her face."

"Sakura?"

"No, the one before her."

"Amaya?"

"No, the one after her."

"… Emi?"

"Emi!" He held up his hand, pointing at her. "Yes. Where'd she go?"

"She retired three years ago… And Cynthia quit four months ago."

"So, what's your name?" Kain asked, gesturing for her to take a seat. She obliged.

"Communications director, Kiko Takada." She bowed.

"And, you started…"

"About… Two months ago. They figured you wouldn't notice that the secretary was gone until that time."

"They?"

"The partners." She gestured to the offices. "Seeing as you're never in… Until you are in."

"Mm…" He stood and gestured to the files. "You want to succeed here, yes?"

"Yes."

"Rule one: this is unacceptable." He pointed to the huge pile. "Please, for all that's good in this world, separate them based on what they are. If it's a contract concerning houses, one pile. Contract concerning automobiles, pile. Contract concerning legal issues, pile. Planes. Trains. Markets. Hotels. Travel."

"You want them all organized by that."

"Exactly. Makes my life that much easier."

"I'll do that once you're gone."

Kain shook his head. "No. You'll stay overtime and assist me in making sure the sub-division clause eighteen, stipulation b is crossed out."

"What's sub-division eighteen b?"

"Where I'm personally accountable. If I go down, everyone goes down."

"I see." She waited for a moment as he sat down. "What's rule two?"

"Rule two: never enter this office unless invited to but, that's self-explanatory. Rule three, the last and final rule." He examined her. "Be dressed for anything. Lawsuit. Meeting a client. Meeting me."

"So… This isn't suitable?"

"You're more dressed to go to a club. It's Tuesday. Five PM." He shook his head. "Not suitable. I recommend dress pants and a sensible blazer."

She nodded again, standing and taking a stack. Kain followed in suit, scanning each contract. They carried on until eight, when Kiko's stomach started grumbling. She stood as Kain paid no attention. "Should I order something for you, sir?"

"No. Thank you." He waited until she was out of earshot before phoning Touya.

"Finally." The cold voice replied one the first ring. "Usually you're in and out."

"New secretary." He shook his head. "Kiryuu called."

"Ah, that's who he was phoning."

"You've been tailing him?"

"Kuran found out you were busy with the business so, he asked me to tail. He hasn't done much – sit at home, read, watch TV… Call you. Went for a walk. Met nobody."

"Jeez, and you say I'm a stalker for knowing what class we all have."

"Trust me, I'd much rather be watching a movie with Sayori." He could tell she was leaning forward in her car. "Now, questions."

He groaned. "No, she's not my type. Yes, she's obviously trying to impress me with her long legs. No, she's in a relationship and you know I don't like her."

"Good to know." He could almost see her bite her lip. "Now, what were you and Zero…"

"Just a what you up to and how's it going call. Nothing more." He grabbed another contract.

"So, what are you up to?"

"Going through the world's most ironclad contract and crossing out where they put the blame on me."

"You still haven't fired that guy?"

"If I knew who that guy was, I definitely would."

"Bet you it's Mr. Ando. He's hated you from day one."

"It probably is. Doesn't mean I have the right to fire him until I have proof."

"Do the other partners know?"

"Probably. No responsibility for them so, they're fine with me taking the fall. Plus, if I can't pay…"

"They can kick you out and take over the partnership. So, why are they putting it on your desk?"

"Because their secretaries don't agree with what they're doing. Which is why my secretary needs a communications degree and be a people person."

"There's a reason for that?"

"Touya, who are you more likely to assist: the guy that doesn't talk much and keeps to himself while wearing fancy jewelry or the talkative girl who takes pity on him and forces others to be nice to him?"

"Well, it sounds like our relationship so, I'm going with the talkative girl."

Kain snorted. "You're the talkative one? The nice one?"

"Compared to you?"

"Touche." She hung up on him just as Kiko returned. "Is it already nine?"

She glanced at the clock, her smiling face turning anxious. "Yeah."

"Go home. You probably have better things to do than watch me cross out paragraphs."

He raised his eyes to her. She didn't budge, just grabbed another stack. "It's my own fault. I should have been checking for this."

"Read what you're checking."

She read it aloud, her eyes widening. "Is that even legal?"

"Apparently." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Do you have to go through this every time?" Kiko asked after she had checked a third of her remaining stack. Kain was glad to see the progress – even if there were fifty more to go.

"Every time. And then, they get mad that I don't answer their e-mails."

She was silent for a while. "Next time, I swear to you, you won't have to check them."

"Why? I'll do it anyway."

"You're only here one day out of the month. I'm here every day. I get a small stack of fifteen that I can be checking on your behalf. Then, you can flip through, if you like but, there won't be a mistake."

He smiled a little. "This isn't your doing. This is theirs. After all, you started only two months ago. It's my own fault for not training you in that time."

She fell quiet again.

Kain rubbed his tired eyes, glad for the break. How many days had gone by since he walked the pavement up to his penthouse? Sure, the family business had taken only a day (thanks to Kiko) but, his other pet projects had taken him longer. His butler, Gonkuro, had insisted on driving so Master Kain could get some sleep. Instead, Kain outwardly refused, tired as he was, and drove to the garage a few blocks away.

He slumped his way down, eyes on the pavement as he walked towards the apartment building. He had always enjoyed the game of don't step on the cracks though, he still didn't fully understand about someone stepping on a nail – especially on purpose.

Something hit his shoulder. "Hey, watch it!"

"Sorry." He answered, grumpily, his head still down. Even in a city this size, people were rude as they continuously bumped into him, expecting him to move out of the way. Again and again, he apologized, happy to see the entrance to the apartment building.

The doorman did his job as the bell hop ran to the elevator, purposely holding the door open. "Welcome back, Mr. Kain."

"Mm." He hadn't glanced up once. He thought he heard the bellhop speak again before the doors closed. He pulled out his phone. Touya had texted about her freedom now that he was back. Aidou and Souen had created another drama between themselves, involving him. Neither of the Kurans had texted.

He was about to close the app when another text came in from Kiryuu. He furrowed his brow and opened it. It read: Look up. He did as he was instructed, surprised to see his roommate standing in front of him. "Sorry."

"Don't be." He offered a weak smile. "Bad day?"

"Bad week." He leaned against the elevator wall, sighing as he did so. "Touya informed me you're very boring when I'm not home."

"Life shouldn't be all that exciting." Kiryuu hooked his fingers into his belt loops. Kain studied him. There was still blood on his shoes and on his jacket. He didn't seem injured. Then again, it had happened, what, six days ago?

"I miss anything?"

"Just been pondering your situation."

"Reading romance novels? Or watching dramas?"

Kiryuu kept a straight face though, Kain noticed the twitch of a smile in his otherwise austere expression. "Those were because I was bored."

"Can it wait until tomorrow?" Kain asked, taking off his shoes as he stepped inside the penthouse and began his usual venture.

"Sure. We'll talk tomorrow."