A/N: A Behind Closed Doors Chapter! Aha, for those who don't know, this chapter focuses on someone else that I feel I haven't forced into a role.

For this sequence, it will be Aidou and Souen's separate personalities.

Aidou's eyes fluttered open, the sun momentarily blinding him. Beside him, the mass of hair sprawled across his outstretched arm. Lifting his head, he smiled to himself. Not mad enough to not hold my hand, Ruuka? He pressed his lips to her cheek before rolling over to his edge of the bed, lifting his arms over his head.

The smile faded quickly, his hand lifting to his forehead. He opened his phone, scrolling through Kain's messages. No, he hadn't replied to his growing requests – even the ambiguous 'guess what' sent the morning after.

Aidou wandered over to the mini-bar, uncorking a wine bottle. "You're getting as bad as… our shared cousin."

"Still won't say Akatsuki's name?"

"Not until common sense comes back." Still, he felt her cheek press against his shoulder. "Come back to bed."

He craned his neck, overlapping her hand with his own. "You don't want one?"

Souen scoffed. "I have five meetings… And a text to send."

"Which, I say thank you for."

"Yeah, yeah." Aidou watched as she meandered to her dresser. "I still don't see why I have to be the bigger person."

"Because you're the bigger pain in the butt." Aidou avoided the hairbrush thrown at his head.

"Right. Because it's a competition between itty bitty… Stop." She scowled at the judging look Aidou shot her. "Kiryuu and myself."

"Well, least you used his name."

"Don't forget – one vial only." She pinned up her hair and hastily dressed in her best business casual.

"Aren't you video chatting?"

"Yes but, it never hurts to look your best."

He finally poured himself a glass, watching her as she fidgeted with the hem. "You know you'll knock them dead."

"Sure. If they don't bring up… Our familial member."

"Getting classier."

"I'm always classy." She left the room without so much as another glance. No, she's still pissed. Aidou sighed and slid the balcony door. He enjoyed the last rays of sun offered as he took the first sip, adding the small vial to it. Obsessively, he checked his phone. And, you're pissed. Or moody. As much as he'd have loved to have that fifth sense Souen did, Aidou never knew what went through his cousins' brain.

No, he hadn't meant to put a time line on Kain's suffering. But, at what point did it shift from happening to a sad fact? Aidou leaned back in his chair, setting the wine to the patio table and covered his eyes with his forefinger and thumb. Surely, he realizes we're afraid for him? Again, he checked his phone. He had put that in his fifth message.

He lifted the wine glass to his lips, the magazine staring him in the face. Even knowing that Kiryuu lived with his cousin, the possibilities that wracked Aidou's brain had never acknowledged dating – even with the professed attraction. He leaned forward, tossing the magazine into the trash and downed the contents in his glass.

He slid into the kitchen, placing his glass noiselessly down into the sink and leaned against the door, watching as Souen smiled and nodded politely. Every so often, her eyes would land on the translating app he had insisted she install, her brow furrowing in confusion at a single word or phrase.

Again, Aidou checked his phone. He knew the sensation he was feeling: guilt. Guilt for intervening in a relationship he had no business in. Guilt for not being as supportive. And anger. Anger and resentment. Kain had spent years listening to Aidou speak against Souen, gush about her, watched them fall in love. He'd had to have heard it from their female cousin as well. Yet, there was not a word about his relationship to either of them.

Perhaps, Aidou started as he watched his girlfriend try to explain her new clothing line, perhaps she, too, feels the same way. Guilty, resentful, angry… And helpless.

Living with the Enemy

Cross Academy

Aidou fumed, pacing back and forth in the room he shared with Kain. For the millionth time, he asked the question to the room rather than his cousin: "how dare she? Who does she think she is?"

Kain, unsympathetic to Aidou's plight, shivered and wrapped a blanket around himself. "Hanabusa, control your power."

Annoyed with the interruption, Aidou chose to ignore the request. He heard Kain sigh, feeling the warmth seep into the room, knowing that Kain's book was more important to him than the predicament Aidou found himself in seemingly every day. He wondered if this would be the time Kain'd smack him upside the head. But, he was justified. After all, Souen was clearly the villain in this piece.

"I mean, the gall! And in front of Lord Kaname, too!" Aidou continued, tears of frustration and anger burning his eyes. He wiped at them, hoping Kain wouldn't notice. Though, another part wished he would and tell him he wasn't being completely irrational. And, Lord Kaname wouldn't offer the validation Aidou needed.

"Hanabusa." Aidou froze, the tone cold and detached. He lost this train of thought as he turned to his cousin, the amber eyes dead-set. Perhaps now, Aidou grinned, he'll tell me I'm right. Instead, he watched as Kain poured a Scotch – the finest of alcohols, in Aidou's opinion. He set it on the small table and sat, gesturing for Aidou to join him.

Aidou did. "Any advice?"

"Tons but, nothing you want to hear." Aidou's hand hovered over the glass, his icy blue eyes examining his cousin. Kain tapped the table. "Drink."

He did as he was told, the taste rolling on his tongue. Double malt, smooth. Aged 150. He exhaled deeply after downing the drink, his stupefied mind focusing on Kain.

"There's two ways you can go about this." Kain started, rubbing his temples. "Option A: continue to let Ruuka get under your skin. But, that'll devolve quickly into childish pranks we had when we were kids until one or both of you do something to anger Lord Kaname."

That held Aidou's attention. He gestured for Kain to pour another drink, subduing himself enough to listen to option B. He felt like he knew what was coming and set aside the now empty glass. He waited for Kain to elaborate. "And, the second option?"

"Stalemate. You apologize to Ruuka, she'll apologize to you. You work on whatever issues it is that you can't seem to resolve. And, you stop embarrassing each other in the Lord's presence." Kain almost smiled at the joke though, both vampires flinched.

Aidou lifted the glass again, examining the make. He knew Kain was right. That much was always obvious. Still… Aidou hated being the first to apologize. It was as if his cousin wasn't aware of who he was talking to. Even envisioning her smug expression at the door was enough for the fangs to enlarge.

Kain eyed his cousin tiredly, watching him down his third drink. Aidou joined the eye contact, returning to his cocky demeanor. "I'm no where near drunk enough for this."

"Though I hate your drinking habits…" Kain muttered to himself, pouring another. Aidou gulped the last drop, his senses dulling the ache of the night.

"What do I even say? 'Hey Ruuka, sorry you're an itty bitty –"

"No."

"You didn't let me finish."

Kain massaged his temples and stood at the desk, scribbling. Aidou smiled at the hunched figure. He will always be my protector, conscious and strength. The smile faltered. Hopefully his efforts aren't in vain. Kain handed Aidou the piece of paper.

"What if we don't make up?" Aidou asked, shoving it into his pocket.

"Then you can't sleep here."

"Then, where am I sleeping?"

"In the common room."

"By myself? What if someone draws on me?"

"Then, they draw on you."

Aidou fell silent.

Aidou clung to the piece of paper Kain wrote instructions on, memorizing the wording. "I, Hanabusa, request that you, Ruuka, accept that we are cousins and no longer need to exchange snippets of conversation that will hurt and slash or embarrass the other. On this piece of paper, there are suggestions for us to control our emotions without resulting in the harsh tones of mimicry that we used as children. Please forgive me for my actions."

Kain had elaborated, writing "because I am a stupid child and don't know how to behave towards family members" but, Aidou read it more as an outlet for Kain. He didn't begrudge him – Kain dealt with most of the issues in Aidou's brain.

He stood at the door, his hand raised. Gently, he tapped the door. No answer. He knocked again. No answer. If she's asleep… He tried to ignore the shudder. As comfortable as the couch was, Hanabusa would have preferred to sleep in his own bed. He knocked again, harder this time.

"Alright, alright." The ash blonde muttered sleepily and unlocked her door. Hanabusa found himself staring into the soft chocolate eyes, currently rimmed red. He knew he had caused it with harsh words. They narrowed as she straightened, her arms crossing over her chest. "What do you want?"

She had begun to flush red, the statement throwing venom on its own. Aidou felt his blood boil. Just when I was feeling sorry for you. Still, he bit his lip on the retort he had in mind, his fist crinkling the paper in his hand. It caught Souen's attention. She snatched it from Aidou, who was slow from the Scotch. She waited for him to take it back, reading it when he didn't. "This is Akatsuki's writing."

"He helped me with the apology."

"You mean, he's making you apologize." She snorted, throwing it back at him. Aidou held on to it. "At least he got the childish behavior right."

"I can't believe you. I came down here to give you an apology and you will damn well accept it!" Aidou huffed.

Souen shrugged, stepping aside. "Fine. Apologize to your hearts delight."

Aidou pushed past her, surveying her room as she closed the door. Most of the walls were bare, the popular Victorian style she had always been obsessed with encompassing the room. Soft pink but heavy drapes framed the moon. In the center, her canopy bed rested, the mahogany frame suiting the green drapes. She waited patiently on the bed, more compliant than she had been. The last time Aidou had been in the room with Souen had been after a bad day for Kain where they prepared a case to Lord Kaname about people spreading rumours of what had happened and the punishments they were allowed to inflict. Now, Aidou cleared his throat. "I, Hanabusa –"

"That's not an apology." She huffed, opening the cabinet for a chardonnay. Aidou wet his lips, parched from his alcoholic infusion. Souen poured herself one and sipped at it. "You're reading from the script Akatsuki sent you here with. If you want me to accept it, you have to mean it."

The coldness of Aidou's blood began to ache. He clenched his teeth and exhaled through his nose. "Fine. I'm sorry that you like to point out my short comings and my, forgive the direct quote, dear cousin, 'obsessively creepy and stalkerish tendencies toward Kaname-sama.' Can I help it that I admire the man?"

Souen laughed bitterly, almost enjoying herself. "And, I'm sorry to have my own inappropriate emotions regarding Kaname's beloved and my own admiration for him."

Silence fell between them. Aidou scratched the back of his head as Souen poured herself another. Had they just been honest with each other? Is that what honesty was: the admission of feelings? Or, was it the obvious points of a series of events that both could dissect?

Souen shifted uncomfortably under Aidou's gaze. It was not how she talked to Aidou. About Aidou, sure. To Aidou? Never. It had been the same bluntness she and Kain spoke with, especially after pushing down emotions. Her eyes lifted to Aidou's. It was as if the boy she bullied for being arrogant had grown into something or someone else. Then again, she had been drinking.

"So… What happens now?" Aidou asked, positioning himself to sit on the bed next to her, thinking better of it and leaning against the canopy frame. She shrugged.

"What does Akatsuki say?"

"According to Master Akatsuki…" Aidou joked. She hid a smile, tilting her glass towards Aidou. "We come up with different ways of handling our differences that won't lead to the total annihilation and destruction of either or both of our reputations."

He flipped it over. "And, he started with things that we don't like"

He sighed and admitted defeat to himself, realizing this was going to be a long night. He hated long nights, craving his bed. He crashed onto Souen's his hand behind his head. She wrinkled her nose slightly. "Well, it would help if you wouldn't sample from the Day Class students."

"Why?" He shifted onto his side, his eyes widening. "Does it make you jealous?"

Souen blushed. "N-no! Why would you even say that?"

He surveyed her. She had a good figure and poise of a dancer. Her hands were dainty, the fingers longer. He quieted his brain, hoping that the words wouldn't spew out of his mouth. "Seriously, Ruuka."

They both fell silent – Souen from the use of her own name from Aidou's mouth and Aidou awaiting her answer, the thoughts in his head clouding his judgment. He shook his head clear as she inched away from him. Great, he thought, I'm misreading again. He thought it better to explain himself. "The Day Class girls are easier targets and… I'm not like you or Akatsuki. I can control myself for a while but, fact is: I need a little human blood every now and then."

Souen said nothing. It had been the one contention the Night Class had with Aidou. She recalled being outside the Aidou's door after he had fainted, her doll on her lap. Her uncle had discussed with the doctor about Aidou's medical condition – the blood tablets not being enough.

Now, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her mind scanning for other issues. She didn't like his hunting personality – the overly anxious, cheerful façade that all the fan girls screamed about. She hated the kyaa kyaa girls fumbling over any of the Night Class, their voices breaking the silence of her morning. She hated that Aidou encouraged it. It bubbled up inside.

"I see." Her voice was alien to her, softer. Souen knew that his eyes were on her. Perhaps her own thoughts were muddled or her defenses down. She stood, pouring another glass of wine. "I believe we resolved the issues, then."

"All but one." Aidou answered, drowsily.

"Which one?" She asked, licking the red off her finger.

"Why do you act like you hate me?" Ruuka sighed and dragged a hand through her hair. I'm having a different rationalization and he wants to discuss this now?

"Because you're infuriating." She stated finally. "You're careless then swing off in the opposite direction of being an emotionless robot. Then, when you're finally back to your careless ways, you're with your fan club and dragging Akatsuki down with you – and myself, by extension. Then, you toss the rest of us like we're just trash, spend hours brooding over the inanest crap that makes no sense to anyone but you. And, when you finally do explain yourself, you've worked yourself up to the point of a tizzy over nothing!"

Maybe it was the Scotch. Maybe it was the wine. But, Aidou heard her spiel differently. True, he infuriated everyone and his mood swings were, albeit, difficult to control. But, the rest… He swallowed. "Is it possible that you're jealous?"

Souen remained still. Aidou continued. "I know you hate the fan club… But, is it because I spend time with them? Do you feel dejected when I avoid everyone?"

She took another swig. Aidou only had to test the theory, his arms wrapping around her waist. She set her glass down on the nightstand and turned in his arms. The chocolate eyes widened as he rested a hand on her cheek, tracing her lips. Aidou felt discouraged, his advances ignored. He stepped away from her, his hands falling to her sides. "I'm drunk and I don't know…"

His sentence was cut off as her arms snaked around his neck, their lips eagerly meeting. Perhaps it was the alcohol that started it all. But, she didn't care. For once, her thoughts were filled with someone else other than Kaname.

Living with a Lover

Present Day

Aidou had crept into the room, unseen as he rested a hand on her knee. Souen held up a finger, her eyes tired. "Yes."

"And, he's dating a vampire Hunter?" The man on the other end stated.

"So I've heard."

"What could it mean for the vampire community?"

Souen started sinking in her chair. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. Aidou shoved himself into the camera's focus. "The same thing as any other human meeting a vampire and falling in love. It doesn't change anything."

"Hanabusa." Souen warned.

"I wasn't aware this wasn't a private conversation."

"It was!" Souen commented, her eyes narrowing to her boyfriend.

"It was, really. But, as Kain is our cousin, the answer Ruuka gives affects all of us." He straightened, ignoring her hand pounding his back. "Kain has been nothing but an upstanding member of the vampire community here and, he's dating a vampire Hunter."

"Yes, those are the facts."

"Yes. So, why are you asking our opinion of it?" Aidou's eyes widened. "Are you a reporter?"

"What he means," Souen interjected, digging her nails into his thigh. Aidou grimaced. "Is that we have the upmost trust in our cousin, regardless of who he dates, and that it effects nothing."

"I see. Well, thank you for your time, Miss Souen. Mister…"

"Aidou."

They signed off. Souen threw Aidou's hand off her thigh, her cheeks red. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because you weren't saying anything."

"I would have said something!"

"Oh, forgive me." Aidou stood and walked out of the room. Souen followed, close on her heels.

"Now they're going to think that I can't speak for myself."

"You can!" He turned, almost crashing into her. "You can when it's just you. But, when they're looking for commentary…"

"I know." Souen yelled back. "I know you and Akatsuki spent hours vouching for me when I took over Souen Industries. But, that was never about who I was dating."

"They're as scared as I am." Aidou yelled back. Silence.

"Why do you support it if you're scared, too?" Souen asked, her voice softer again.

"Talk to him about Kiryuu sometime. It's the same look you give me when I've done something smart and I don't know what it is."

Souen groaned and rested against the island, her head leaning back. "You just want me to talk to Kiryuu."

"No." Aidou played with her fingers. "I want you to meet our cousins boyfriend."

"I've met him and I didn't care for him."

"You've met him as Kiryuu." Aidou nudged, feeling the fight drain out of her. He had waited for the right conversation. "We haven't met him."

Souen rested against Aidou's arm. "But, how do we know that he's not just using Kain?"

"We don't."

"Ugh…" She hit her head on Aidou's shoulder. "Why couldn't he just find a nice aristocratic boy? At least, those rumors would be socially acceptable. Why did it have to a Hunter? Even worse, why that Hunter?"

"Think about it, darling."

Souen's eyes narrowed. "Why are you trying to get me to think rationally?"

"We asked for one thing." Aidou continued, pressing his lips to her hair. "That Kain finds the love we desperately want for him. Or, at least, a play thing. And, he probably thinks he's doing the noble thing – pun… mildly intended. By keeping a close eye on Kiryuu, he can tear his lungs out and learn his plans. And, if he loses his V card, we won't have to deal with those rumors anymore."

Souen chuckled slightly. "You mean the eunuch rumor?"

"That very one."

"But, if that's his plan…" She rubbed her eye. "Why didn't he just tell us?"

"Why create this grand scheme?" Aidou shook his head. "Not a clue."

"Unless…" Souen smiled. "Akatsuki does actually love him… Which means, I get to kill Kiryuu!"

"Only if he hurts him." Aidou reproached her, pressing his lips against her neck. She tilted her head to the side. "You're finally calling him by his name?"

"If our eldest cousin is a moron, I can deal with it." Souen answered, twining her hand in Aidou's hair.

"All I ask is that we meet them for supper." He slid his hands down to her hips. "Or… After dinner."

"Perv." She stated, slapping his hands away with a sweet smile. "Fine. We'll meet for dinner. But…"

"But?"

"If he hurts Akatsuki…" She made a fist, her face hardening. "I get to rip his lungs out, yeah?"

"Have I ever told you your violent streak is hot?"

"Numerous times." She winked at him, answering her phone. "Souen and Co. Ruuka Souen speaking… Blanche, I'm so glad you called."

"Ruuka, darling." Aidou mocked in her ear.

She covered over the speaker. "Cabana boy, I take my wine with ice."

She flicked her wrist. Aidou stuck out his tongue at her and slipped out his phone. I'm setting a table for me, you, Ruuka and Kiryuu. Able to make it?

For the first time in days, Aidou grinned at the vibration. I'll inform Kiryuu.