A/N: The habit of writing. Funny how easily it comes back. Funnily how easy it is to write from Kain's perspective rather than Zero's. But then, Kain is less interested in Zero's background and more interested in making Zero fall in love with him. I'm also making Kain what Zero needs him to be. Which is unfortunate seeing as we all fell in love with Akatsuki for the way he is but it makes no sense as to how the story will progress if Kain doesn't feel spiteful towards Purebloods in general.

Also, every universe has them: blood bonds. The act of feeding and taking. I might be taking it in a different direction. If I am, I apologize. But, for the good of the story, I may need to take some liberties.

The bastard… Zero clenched his teeth and stood in the elevator, curling and unclenching his fists. He exhaled quickly. No, Kain wasn't the bastard. But, Touya was. After all, who said to ask him out?

The elevator stopped at the ground floor. Zero stepped through, nodding to the concierge as he slipped past the people returning from work. He hadn't realized how far he had gone – only that he stood outside the Association with a cigarette between his middle and forefinger. He didn't recall if he had a drag. He didn't care.

Like a mantra, Zero summoned all the information he had on Kain. Kain, Akatsuki. Male. Son of Katashi and Mayoko. Related to Souen, Ruuka and Aidou, Hanabusa. Left hand man. Burgundy eyes, average to tall height, average build. Unnervingly calm in all situations. Eldest of the cousins. Spikey hair. Fire wielder. Loner. Touya's younger brother.

He repeated it, finding his steps slowing. As he calmed, he tried to formalize a plan. He could jump at the chance of the fight to try to win sympathy with Touya. Like that'd work. Other than that route, there wasn't another.

"Kiryuu." Kaito's voice forced Zero back into the reality. He snapped his head to the direction of the sound. For a moment, he saw what humans must see: a caged animal, fierce, ready to kill. Kaito held up his hands as the monster stalked back to his hiding place, waiting to surge forth again. The cigarette smoke coming from Kaito's hand soothed the beast. "What happened?"

He could have explained. In fact, he wanted to. The dude that I'm trying to use to infiltrate just rejected me. It was the other thoughts that stopped him. Serves you right, trying to use an aristocrat. You're lucky you're not dead. His response would bring Touya into the mix. Somehow, the comments were worse. The lesbian? You know she's protective of Kain. How are you still standing? He shook his head. "Nothing. Just research."

Kaito raised an eyebrow, tossing his burning cigarette to the side. "Sounds fun."

"You hate research."

"I take offense to that."

Zero scoffed, muttering incoherently under his breath as he pushed past and began the trek towards the library. Kaito followed like a lost puppy. Good, thought Zero to his unwanted companion. "So, what or who are we researching?"

Zero didn't answer. The library held only a few Hunters passing away the adrenaline in the books of yore. Like a giant cavern, it housed all information on vampires then and now… and the Hunters that had killed them. Zero's first trip here, he searched for the worst vampires and, after his parents died, he searched for them in the stacks.

As he approached the counter, the librarian scrunched her nose with an air of distaste. Still, she signed him in after he produced his card, Kaito following in suit. He slipped past the Hunters, each glaring at him as he passed until he turned right. Kaito piped up. "Are we searching for Kain?"

No answer. He passed by Souen, Aidou and wound up at the end of the aisle, finishing at Shiki. He made his way back through the aisle, bumping into Kaito. "So… Where is your boyfriends?"

Zero shuddered at the word. "Not a clue."

"Shouldn't he be with Aidou and Souen?"

"I checked there first." Still, he stood in front of the history books, scanning through each shelf. There, at the bottom of the case, three books stood. None were as big as Souen or Aidou but, they were bigger than a common vampires.

"Are those them?" Kaito craned his neck to look over Zero's shoulder. "W… How come they're so thin?"

"Maybe the previous Hunters were afraid of wasting paper." Zero joked, bending his knees.

"Maybe. But, I don't think Hunters cared about paper…"

And, that went over his head. Zero held in a sigh as he pulled out the three volumes, checking the next shelf and finding the first of the Souen household instead. He sat on the floor, his legs outstretched as he flipped through. Kaito groaned as he followed in suit, picking up the first. Much of Kain's archives hadn't been updated more than he already had: other than what business he was in which took four pages to name them all. He paused at the miscellaneous charities, his brow furrowing. Charities?

"That can't be right." Kaito interrupted.

"What can't be right?" Zero asked, already annoyed by the watchdogging.

"See…" Kaito thrust his book under Zero's nose. Page 135. The last page. He pointed to the last sentence. "'The attack of the Kain Household and then…"

He ran his fingers down the spine. Zero did the same. "It's been cut out."

"Mayoko's the same." Kaito leaned into Zero. "Does it say anything about the attack?"

Zero sighed and flipped through, finding the last page. One hundred. He started from the beginning, staring at the page numbers. Kaito whistled. "Damn."

He placed his hand on the page. Zero glanced up, eyes widening. Apparently, he had modeled with Touya. Shrugging off Kaito's hand, Zero continued on his crusade. "Nothing."

"I mean… There's literally four pages to his work but, nothing about it. Did you come across a conspiracy? And, there's no mention as to anyone he's killed?"

"I don't know and no. He'd be too anxious to kill people."

"No need to get defensive." Still, his partner shook his head. "All vampires kill at some point in their life."

"Well, maybe he's not there yet." He slide the book behind him and opened Mayoko's. This time, he scanned the table of contents. Family History – less than half a page. Relationships – a respectable two pages. Business acumen – thirty pages. Habits – two pages. Articles – majority. He gripped Katashi's and flipped through again. "Okay, I don't like this."

"Why?"

"It mentions in Katashi's that Kain, at one point, was the bigger of the three houses. But, there's no record. Anywhere of Kain's grandparents…"

"Like the Clan never existed." Kaito simplified.

"Conspiracy, maybe. But this… Hunters wouldn't care, would they?"

"Course they would. Less vampires to be worried about."

"There's not even a mention of how they died or who they're related to or how they're related to houses Aidou and Souen."

"Does it explain it in Aidou and Souen?"

"You're missing what I'm saying." Zero leaned forward, gripping his hair. "All history books say the same thing for consistency. This…"

"… Is an incomplete collection."

They grabbed Hanabusa's and Ruuka's files next. Again, no mention other than "related to Kain, Akatsuki." No mention of how. Even though they were younger, their books were fuller – by about a thousand pages. "Okay, incomplete records… Which means… What?"

"He has more enemies to worry about… And, so do I." Zero finished, leaning against the shelf. He tilted his head skyward. "Wonder if I can get a sex change. Touya seems an easier target."

Kaito snickered as he lit a cigarette. "Like Touya would go for you."

"She might if I adapted my voice."

"Kaito!" The cigarette was thrown to the ground and stomped on by a boot. Zero raised his eyes to Master Toga, surprised to see him. Kaito took his sweet time lifting his head to Toga's.

"Master."

His expression shifted to something softer as he caught Zero's eye. "Kiryuu."

"Master."

"Master's pet." Kaito muttered. Zero tried not to snicker.

"Kain?" Toga craned his neck, his face falling. Piecing it together… Zero thought as Toga's expression turned from confusion to defeat. There you are. He returned a disapproving noise but jerked his head in the direction of his office. Zero slid the books back into their original place before standing and Kaito in tow.

Master Toga's office was the same as always. Basically, any room that was available, insulated and belonged to someone he could scare off – usually a Hunter who catapulted through the ranks without as much experience as Master. Toga sat in executive chair, waiting for Zero and Kaito to step through. With Zero's back to the door, blocking the entryway, Kaito attempted to lean against the wall and start trying to light up. He stopped under Master Toga's death stare. He started the conversation with one word. "Kain."

"You know the history?" Zero asked, trying his best not to step forward.

"You told me you were going to drop the Kurans."

"Little difficult to do."

Toga huffed but leaned back in his chair. Kaito leaned forward. "So, share?"

Toga was silent for a while, lighting his own cigarette. Kaito made a squeaky sound, covering it with a cough. Finally, Toga spoke. "I know nothing about the history of the Kain Clan."

"Then, why bring us here?" Kaito spoke. Though Zero shared the sentiment, he wouldn't have dared interrupt him.

As if he hadn't been interrupted, Toga continued. "That being said, I know how you can find out."

He inhaled and exhaled, coughing momentarily. Zero spoke next. "What would I have to do?"

"There's an elder woman, Ozaki Sakura. Once upon a time, she was –"

"Kain's assistant." Zero answered. Toga nodded as Kaito raised an eyebrow. Zero shrugged. "I did my research."

"Then, you also know that she's part of the AVAH."

"The what?"

Toga smirked. "So, you don't know everything. AVAH – After Vampire Attack Homes for the children who escape a vampire attack but remained human."

"Miscellaneous charities…" Zero leaned against the door. "So, whatever happened during that attack… It was vampires."

"That's the assumption I made. Probably what Kain thinks as well. He created it once he came of age – as well as placement projects, continuous dream survey's, foundations…"

"So, he's a do good. So what?" Kaito interjected.

"So, that's the woman you see. She probably has more information on Kain than anyone – considering she's in research and development, suspicious of everyone and, she adores Kain more than most. Plus, she's a survivor."

"She… joined because she suffered a vampire attack?" Zero clarified.

"Precisely." He glanced at Kaito. "How good are you at getting information from older ladies?"

"Look at this face." He gestured, creating a bit of a pout.

"Why can't I –"

"Same reason why you don't trust vampires." Toga's quick explanation silenced Zero. He pulled out his phone and texted an address, using his forefinger to type it in. Zero and Kaito exchanged looks of exasperation, dispersing when their phones beeped. Kaito shoved by Zero, bowing quickly to Toga. Zero followed in suit. "Zero."

The summoned turned his head towards his Master. "If it fails with Kain, promise me – your attack on the Kurans ends."

"… It won't fail."

"What I don't get," Kaito started after five seconds on the road. Zero had the keys in his hand, had almost slid into the drivers seat when Kaito rudely pushed him aside, saying he wouldn't die tonight. "Is, when did you fall in love with Kain?"

Zero snorted. "Excuse me?"

"Well, with a body like that, I'd figure you'd bounce the second you got physical. He is hot… But, I wouldn't do him. I like the ladies."

"Way to hide your insecurities and fragile masculinity." Zero retorted.

"So, you haven't done him, then?"

"If I had, would it be your business?"

"Grouch." Kaito flipped off a driver who cut him off. "But, you want to do him, no?"

Zero stared blankly at Kaito. He wondered, if Kain and he were normal people, if they should ever introduce Kaito and Touya. Course, Touya would kill Kaito within a minute. But, their interfering might be amusing to watch. Still, it didn't matter. There was no use contemplating the what if's of reality – especially since it still hurt. "You saw the photo. I'm just waiting."

"For what?"

"Well, for one, you to shut up. It'd be a nice start." The second, he couldn't bear to think of. An agreement with a vampire, even by his standards, was a warning sign.

"And, the other?"

"He's more human than I am." Zero answered after several minutes.

Kaito parked the vehicle outside the address, not surprised by the bar. "After I get the info, you going to do someone? Or, are you whipped?"

Zero shook his head. "I'm fine."

"Alright. Just save all the honey's for me, yeah?"

"If they can stand your stench, sure." He followed in suit, pausing by the door. Though not busy by any stretch of the imagination, the bar sent a shiver through Zero's spine. Still, he rested against the bar and ordered a drink, following Kaito's movements as he sat across from a lady at a computer.

"You around here?" She barely glanced up. Kaito tried again. "What are you working on?"

Zero studied her. Though she was in her thirties, she wasn't by any stretch of the imagination elderly. Her chopped hair and stern expression reminded him of Seiren though, where Seiren observed the world, this lady made judgments just by a single glance. "Research."

"What kind?" Kaito asked, placing his elbows on the table. She shook her head. "What is… Humane Management Systems?"

She directed her computer further from his eyes, glancing at the bar. Though she was probably searching for the bartender, she met Zero's eye. He turned his head away quickly. "Is that your friend?"

"Yes." The disappointment in Kaito's voice was evident. "But, he doesn't like ladies as fine as yourself."

"Far as I know, he doesn't like ladies at all."

Zero raised an eyebrow at that, almost jumping when Kaito touched his shoulder. "Apparently, she'd like to speak with you."

The tone was a warning. Zero ignored it, much as he ignored most of Kaito's conquers as he seated himself across from her. She had her laptop open and on a webpage revealing Kain and Zero. Together. "This was a tabloid printed… a week ago… Give or take."

Zero recalled following Kain into the apartment building. The headline read: new romance for hot young businessman. He tried his best not to snicker. "What of it."

She leaned forward. "Are you with Kain, Akatsuki?"

"Not at present. I'm with this –"

"No. I mean with him."

"What's it to you?"

"Oh, yeah. They're together." Kaito added, nodding vigorously.

Ms. Ozaki smiled momentarily. "He's kind, no?"

"Very." Zero decided to play along. "But, he never talks about himself."

"Same Kain. I spent a few years working alongside him. Professional, gentlemanly…"

"Does he ever talk about his parents?" Ozaki shifted nervously in her seat. Zero cast his eyes downward. "Sorry… He doesn't tell me anything about his history. So, I tried the indirect approach because it seems you don't like the company he keeps."

He felt Kaito's eyes burning into the side of his skull. Sakura shook her head, closing her laptop. Zero leaned forward, matching her intense gaze. "I promised I wouldn't tell."

Seduction method? Zero asked himself as she smiled apologetically. "Well, I don't want to get you into any trouble."

He stood to go. She held up her hand and started writing something down. Kaito, failing at his game for the time being, tried again. "So, come here often?"

"Not. Interested." She held up her left hand, revealing her wedding ring. Kaito snapped his fingers. "This is the guy you want to talk to."

She handed him the note then lifted her laptop screen open again. Zero read the name. Gonkuro. "Is this the person you promised you wouldn't –"

"Yes. Be kind to him – he's a dear man, just slightly forgetful. But, if anyone can convince Kain to talk or tell you the answers you want…"

"He's the guy?"

"Precisely." She flicked her wrist twice, beginning to type again.

Kaito sighed as they slipped back into the vehicle. "Goose chase. She knew nothing."

"She knew Gonkuro." Zero answered.

"What's with the name?"

"Gonkuro is key, apparently. Kain mentioned him."

"And… You didn't think to track him down?"

"Considering how hushed Kain is and how he talks about him, Gonkuro's probably harder to track than Toga."

Kaito snorted. "So, how are we going to find this guy?"

"I have no idea."

"You have no plan?"

"I have a plan. Just, no opportunity." Zero sighed, resting his head against the window. "Kain rejected me."

"Well, that explains your mood." Kaito answered.

"It's strange. You'd think if he were in league with the Kurans, he'd have accepted in two seconds."

"Well, you said it yourself. He's more human than you."

Zero returned to the apartment on foot, pride finally draining him. He noticed the shoes first. Two pairs, both female. Touya… Souen? He thought to himself. He shrugged off his jacket.

"Kain. Earth to Kain!" Touya's voice sounded. Zero inhaled, stopping momentarily. That was definitely ramen. Ruined ramen but, ramen all the same. It was then that he started to realize the lights were dimmed. Candles on the table. Soft but classical music playing. Light from the TV and popcorn on the couch. And three figures sat on the floor, one hyperventilating and the other two trying to soothe him.

Instinctively, Zero strode forward, not noticing Touya's evil eye or the curious glance from the intruder. He lowered himself to Kain's eye level, lifting the others chin. They remained dazed.

"About time you showed up. Supper was almost cold." Touya greeted.

The other smiled politely. "He got stuck in his mind and he's been like this for… half an hour."

Zero paused, examining the girl. Wasn't she Yuuki's friend? He inhaled, hiding the cringe. Human. But, stunk of leech. And, that leech happened to be Touya. Overpowering Touya smell.

Shaking his head of his thoughts, he held one finger up and slid his hand to the right. "Don't you think we already tried that?"

"Shush. Maybe he'll have more luck than we did." The human hushed.

No response. Zero lowered his voice, barely above a whisper. "Kain."

"Oh, yeah. That's helpful." Touya scoffed.

"After hearing your shrill voice a million times?" Zero muttered, earning him a quick smack on the shoulder. He returned to the whisper. "Come back. Blink once."

He blew on one of the eyes until Kain blinked once. Twice. Zero nodded. "Name five things you see."

Kain's eyes darted quickly, the rocking motion slowing. "Touya. Wakaba. Yourself. The TV. The counter."

"Four things you smell."

"Ramen. Tea. Popcorn… Concern."

"Three things you hear."

"You. Touya. Wakaba."

"Two things you feel."

"The carpet. Your hand."

Zero removed his hand from Kain's chin self-consciously. "One thing you taste."

"… Um… Bacteria." The rocking miraculously stopped as his breathing returned to normal. Zero sat back on his heels. Kain flushed and stood. "Excuse me."

He almost ran for his sanctuary and closed the door behind him. Touya resisted the urge to slap Zero over the head. Of course, he felt it anyway. "You scared him off."

"I thought he was your boyfriend." The other voice answered.

"No, I told you – Kain said no. Course, if he had let him finish, he would have known why."

"Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here?" Zero asked as he stood, fixing himself a cup of tea.

"And, where exactly have you –"

"Rima." Touya flipped around, her hand reaching for her girlfriends'. Wakaba bowed. "We were assisting with dinner. We'll go, now, Kiryuu."

Ignoring Zero, Touya called over her shoulder. "We're going now! Text me!"

"Rima."

"Oh, right." As Touya slipped her shoes on, she bowed to Zero. "Sorry for the intrusion."

Silence. Zero had grown used to it, found solace in it. He examined his surroundings, disgust crossing his face. How far would Kain go to follow the Pureblood's plan? He audibly swallowed after a glimpse of Kain bent over in front of him, face flushed and tongue wetting his lips piqued his interest. Aggressively, he hit his head. No, Zero thought as he approached the door. I can hope but, it doesn't mean it'll happen.

A/N: Seven pages! And no, I'm not announcing the plan. Cause that takes the fun outta it! ^.^