A/N: Wasn't expecting to start working on this but, I'm being yapped at and time is a going. I hate that I have to be at work – I'd much rather stay home and write Zero. Least then, I can be sure of three things: it gets done, I can stop being annoyed and depressed because I haven't been writing and, a new chapter for you all to hate me over. ^.^
"Trucker, move!" Touya screamed, blowing Zero's eardrum and adding to the headache. From their excursion, he had learned three things about the blonde. First, if he didn't keep up, she had no problems making him run to try to jump into the car. Secondly, the front seat was reserved for three people. And thirdly, she was a dangerous driver. Just as he thought the last, she leaned against the horn. "What you doing with that car, wearing it? Try driving it, you…"
Annoyed, she swerved into the outer lane and flipped off the 'trucker' as she drove by. "Are you always so hostile?"
"I'm already late." She checked in the rear-view mirror, eyes returning to the road. "You doing okay back there? You look a little pale."
"Fine."
"Good." She threw her phone at his head. "Text Sayori to be out in ten and waiting."
"Wakaba's joining us?" He asked as he pressed the message board. He scrolled through, not finding either of the Kurans… Or Kain. Defeated, he pressed Wakaba's message train, scanning through the messages available.
Rima, I'm fine! Promise! I've just given Souen some tea and a few tissues then Aidou called and he'll fix it after he talks to Kain about how to!
I know you're tough but, I owe you! Actually, Kain or Aidou owe you but, neither of them will so, I owe you!
You owe me nothing!
After he read the last message, Zero typed out Touya's demand. He hoped he had time to search Kuran, disappointed and plan foiled when Touya held out her hand and threw her phone onto the front seat. "You two fighting?"
"No. I promised to drive her to her interview and I'm running late for my meeting and now, I'm probably going to be late for date night."
"I don't mean to intrude on date night."
"You aren't." Again, their eyes met in the rear-view mirror. "She asked to catch up with you."
"And, that means you're forced to stay?"
"What, you don't like my company?" Zero remained silent. She smirked. "I'm teasing."
"You still didn't answer my question."
"Well, you and I both know about what Kain's mysterious meeting is about. You obviously have questions about vampire society and how to get into Kain's head. And, Sayori is great with relationship stuff." She took a sharp turn. Zero gripped the door hard. Still, he'd have to check with the medic for whiplash.
"Wakaba knows about… everything?" Zero questioned.
Touya nodded. "I'm not going to mess my relationship up by lying to her about what keeps me up at night. Well… Besides the obvious."
"… So, this is an arranged playdate."
"Now that you say that, I kind of want to find a playground and invite Kain."
"I have a prior engagement so, I can't stay long."
"Stay as long as you can, then." She started muttering under her breath. "Kain should know better than anyone never to isolate you from people."
He was about to ask what that meant, interrupted by the screeching of the tires. The usual smug expression softened into an actual smile as her girlfriend slid into the passenger seat. Once the car door slammed, Touya pressed her lips to Wakaba's hand. "M'lady."
"You're so weird." Wakaba answered. She buckled her seat belt and kissed her girlfriend, her hand resting on Touya's cheek.
"You love it." Touya remarked as the brunette settled in.
Wakaba turned in her seat. "Are you joining us, Kiryuu?"
He nodded once as Touya shifted gears into reverse. He glared momentarily at the driver, now aware that she had purposely endangered their lives. "He'll keep you company. How'd the interview go?"
Wakaba's expression faltered slightly. "They said my qualifications were good but… Maybe it's because of my age… Maybe I should go back to filling out spreadsheets…"
"No!" Touya slammed on her breaks though the light was green. "You worked your ass off for that degree and I'll tear every person who says you're not good enough to shreds."
Yet another mood Touya had. This one was scary, especially considering how her eyes flickered from red to blue and back again. Zero prepared to unholster Bloody Rose. Wakaba rested her hand on Touya's shoulder. Magically, the tension Touya had built up drained from the vehicle and she focused on the road again. She sped away just as someone had approached her window. "You'll get it next time. Maybe have an experienced person look over the portfolio and write a recommendation."
"What are you trying for?" Zero asked, resting his hand away from the Bloody Rose.
"Councillor, like my father. I feel it'd be better for Human-Hunter-Vampire relations from someone who's friends with all. But first, I have to show that I can be diplomatic, objective and old… With a beard."
"Sexist pig dogs." Touya muttered.
"I thought they had to diversify their hiring." Zero questioned, his eyes never straying far from the blonde.
"Yes." Touya started, her snarky attitude returning.
"Rima." Wakaba held up her hand, maintaining eye contact with Zero. "I want to be in because people believe in what I say. Not based on what gender I prefer or because I'm a woman or even for my relations."
"Fair."
"Boy, I will pull this car –" Touya huffed, inhaling deeply. "Fair is the best you can say about it?"
"Touya, it's fine."
"It's not fine. What you do is incredible… You're out there, changing the world! Anything less than gobsmacked is a knife to the heart."
"Perhaps your heart, but not mine." That silenced Touya for the time being. Wakaba returned to her usual position. "How are you dealing with dating a vampire?"
Zero examined his boots, knowing if he so much as glanced up into those non-judging and somehow wise eyes, he'd tell everything. She wouldn't do anything about it but, her lover would. "It's not that different from dating a roommate."
"Oh, when did you start sharing a room?" Touya asked.
"They're sharing a room? I thought Kain hated people in his space." Wakaba questioned, her attention on the driver.
"I know! And yet, I went over there to give the messages and this guy," she jerked her head towards Zero, "states he's getting dressed and, I shi… kid you not, straight into Kain's room."
"When'd that start happening?" Wakaba questioned, her attention back on Zero. "That's a huge milestone for the both of you."
"Both of them?"
"From what you've told me about Kain, huge step. But, I remember Kiryuu couldn't even handle a roommate."
"That was for different reasons, Wakaba." Zero corrected.
"Regardless. When'd it start?"
Zero sighed. Neither of these two would let it go. "About… three days?"
Touya nodded, trying her best not to beam from the information. "Three days… Our kids are growing up, Sayori."
"Why are both of them older than us?" Wakaba questioned.
"Because we were born later. It's why we're the secret older sisters' they both needed."
"Apparently, you're my brother, Kiryuu." Wakaba informed, high-fiving a waiting Touya. "Wait, does this mean we can't date if our brothers are dating?"
"I think we're fine so long as we're not dating the other ones' brother. Or our own."
"I'll bite. How'd we wind up that we're dating our own brothers?"
"… A really long night in the dark and an orgy?"
"You keep talking about this and I'm throwing myself out of the car." Zero warned, unbuckling his seatbelt.
"We'll stop." Wakaba promised.
"I won't but, it's less fun when I don't have a partner."
Wakaba smiled apologetically. "That's as good as it'll get."
Zero sighed and buckled back in. "I thought lesbians would talk about other things than doing their own brothers."
"Oh, we do. But, we're imaginative lesbians and come up with our own thoughts and feelings. Like a game of pick up."
"A game of pick up?" Zero raised an eyebrow.
"You know… Creating a world where you're this weird character and related to people. Or that you're somebody hot. Then, there's the rated R version."
"Ah, ah." Touya held up a finger. "We don't share that version. That's up to them to figure out."
Wakaba rolled her eyes. "Is that because your crush is Chris Pine?"
"Says the woman who's got a thing for Zac Effing Wrong."
"Hey! Efron is Effing."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were together... And interested in girls."
"We are, Kiryuu!" Wakaba assured. "But, we all have our cheats…"
"You're second is the moody singer dude who you think is so deep but, he's a total liar." Touya muttered.
"And, how'd you know he's a liar, Touya?"
"I had to do a photoshoot with him."
"Which you didn't invite me to."
"It was years ago! Before we were together! What, was I supposed to be psychic?"
"Yes." Wakaba laughed at Touya's disgruntled face. "I have to tease you."
"Well, I tease everybody so, fair." She countered, turning into a parking lot. "Shit…"
"Isn't that…"
"Yeah."
"What?" Zero questioned, trying to peer into the center.
"Oh…" Touya smiled at him disconcertingly. "Just… Forgot that I have to park round back. You two chill staying in the car?"
She shot Wakaba a meaningful look. The other managed a ghost of a nod as Touya pulled forward. With a quick kiss to her partner, Touya threw her keys on the driver seat and skedaddled. Zero tried again. "What was all that about?"
"Shiki's working today." Wakaba managed to swirl in her seat. "You didn't answer me honestly. How's it dating a vampire?"
"How's it for you?" He defended.
Wakaba pondered, her eyes returning in front of her. "There's times when I remember she's dangerous. Like, when she gets angry about directors or when someone rejects one of my proposals or when Adam was locked in the cage and Sam and Dean didn't attempt to save him –"
"Who's Adam? And, why is he locked in a cage?"
"Supernatural characters." Wakaba studied him, finally unbuckling her seat belt. "Has Kain never mentioned his love for Gabriel? I swear, he would have proposed to the TV."
"What stopped him?"
"Rima. Purposely tripped him. Apparently, he blocked her view."
"Let me guess: she loves the strong female lead?"
"Why do you think the world is so black and white? We both love Sam. Even if he was a demon –"
"They have demons on the show?"
Wakaba exhaled deeply. "You're going to have to watch the series with Kain."
"We're both too busy."
"Trust me. Watch it. You'll fall in love with one character and that will become baby." They fell silent again.
"Scary."
"What is?"
"Being in a relationship with a vampire." Zero finally answered. "We're so alike but… Different."
"In a good way?"
"If it were a bad way, he would never have been a target." He leaned against his seat. "I don't even know what he wants."
"Well, what do you want?"
"Pardon?"
"From your relationship. What do you want?" They both became distracted by the commotion outside the car. Wakaba checked her watch. "Well, that ended quickly."
Touya was escorted by a female and two males, her attention on the female. She wore her bored expression again as the other female caressed her cheek. One of the males began photographing. "How doesn't that bother you?"
"Hmm?" She studied the competition. "Oh, that's one of her friends. Nakamura, I think."
"What if it wasn't?"
"I trust Rima." Even as she said that, her face puckered as if she drank straight up lemon juice. "Really, director?"
"What's up?" He studied the scene, confused as to why 'Nakamura's' leg was around Touya's waist.
"He decided sex sells some time ago." Wakaba shook her head.
"Seems like Touya's into it."
"No."
"How do you know?"
"Look at her." Zero did as Wakaba instructed. "You see how her jaw's a little tighter and her nails are digging in?"
"Yeah?"
"That is how I know she's not okay. She thinks she's unreadable…" She shook her head, affection clear on her face.
"You love her."
Plaintively, Wakaba studied her companion. "You're not with Kain for love, are you?"
He shook his head. "The last person I loved left me."
"That's your choice and I respect that…"
"… You want to add to that, don't you?"
"… I want to believe that two people so broken can find solace in one another. Even if it's more like a brotherhood than a relationship, that's fine. Yet, you two are the ones that deserve happiness out of everyone in the world."
Zero offered her a small smile. "How'd you get so wise?"
"I have a theory about that. Vampires have longer to live so, they mature slower. Humans… Not an option." She turned in her chair just as Rima returned to the car. Her face was flushed, the rain dripping from her bangs. Zero tried to ignore the rip that exposed more of her chest or the slit to the top of her hip… Or, the fact that her panties were in her hand rather than worn. She threw them in the glovebox. "Rima…"
The blonde shook her head and turned over the engine. "Bar?"
Wakaba resigned. "Only if you give me the keys before you start drinking."
She turned to Zero. "Bar?"
"I'm not drinking but, sure."
She stuck out her tongue. "Fine."
"Three shots vodka, two fruity cocktails, two waters, one with blood infusion and a bottle of tequila. We'll be in the back corner." Touya shouted at the bartender as she strutted to her seat. Zero watched as eyes followed her, Wakaba in line. A few others stood, following the human. Zero clenched his fist, the aura and stench of vampires all around. He took to the shadows, finally emerging into his seat across the couple. Already, Touya had her arm around Wakaba, her lips pressed to her forehead.
"You do that, too."
"Do what?" Touya asked, brushing a stray hair from Wakaba's face.
"Arm around your companion."
"Oh, this?" She gestured to the arm around Wakaba. Zero nodded. "There's a couple reasons why we do this. Three, actually."
"Share?" Wakaba asked as Zero leaned forward.
"The first is the obvious. It's a show of affection and commitment to one person."
"The second?"
"Makes it easier to do this." With a smile, she lifted Wakaba's face to hers, wetting her lips as a tease.
"And the last?" Zero asked.
Touya sighed and rested her back despite her partner's protests. "You've probably noticed this –"
"Hi, handsome." Another vampire stated, her attention on Zero. With a growl, Touya held Zero's hand, glaring at the new comer. The vampire scampered off quickly.
"I'm guessing it has to do with that?" Zero questioned, happy to be out of her grasp.
"Very good." She shrugged. "Sorry, that came off as sarcastic."
"So, what was that?"
"Better status. If I were a Level C and she were a Level B, I'd have to show compliance and hand over you, Sayori, my house keys, my car keys, my sex toys, my cat – if I had one…"
"So, higher status…"
"It's for protection. Sayori smells like me so, even if I leave for three hours, they know she's claimed."
"… Is that why you're on Kain's case to –"
"Screw you mercilessly until you can't walk or get it up for several weeks? Yessir." Zero blushed at the comment. "You do blush! Awe… Poor Kain, he'll never see it."
"You're not going to send him a picture of it?"
"Hell no. I won't even mention it. Or, maybe I will… Torment the poor sod…"
"Rima." Wakaba's warning caused the vampire to smile. She shook her head. "You're impossible."
"Am I? Really?" The bartender approached with the specified drinks. "Finally. That's coming out of your tip. You could have moved a lot faster if you hadn't been flirting with sluts three and four."
The bartender flipped her off as he stalked back to the bar. Wakaba elbowed Touya in the ribcage. "You could try being a bit nicer."
"To who? Antonio?"
"Does this have anything to do with what happened?" Zero asked.
Wakaba shook her head at him as Touya fell silent. Committing herself, she shrugged. "Modeling is all about getting the viewers and the reputation. Sexualization is just… part of the process. I knew that going in but, it's also travelling, experiencing different cultures…"
"You could do that in any job, if you get high enough."
"I love modeling. I love the clothes, the people… most of them, anyway." She drained two, one right after the other. "More questions about vampire culture?"
"Okay." Taking his cue, Zero pressed a finger to his lips. "If both the Kurans share the same status, why does Kaname –"
"Lord Kaname." The red tint returned to her eyes. He nodded as though that was what he meant. Lord Leech would have been more accurate. "Lady Yuuki holds more status but, Lord Kaname is better known. But, for him, it's more of a possessive thing, I find."
Zero's mind momentarily switched tracks. "Do vampires feel love?"
Touya smiled. "He finally told you the gypsy story?"
Zero shrugged. It was applicable to many vampires, as far as he knew. "Yeah."
"Honestly, I don't really understand it. Every vampire experiences a more… obsessional love. If it's nurtured correctly, it can be real love and, it's still unconditional… Maybe a little bit twisted and darker but, still unconditional. More murderous, less forgiving."
"How so?"
"Take for instance," Wakaba interrupted, "the fact that Rima jumped on the track of ripping out the elders' throats."
"I still don't know how you calmed her so quickly."
Touya lifted Wakaba's hand to her lips again, kissing every finger. "When it's the one you love, all it takes is a touch. Well, that… And a little bit of blood."
"Rima!" Wakaba scolded, glaring at her girlfriend. Zero spotted the bite marks on her wrist.
"You… Fed off –"
"Consensual." Wakaba fixed, her eyes still on her vampire counterpart.
"You let her feed –"
"Hey!" Touya interjected, her eyes narrowing. "Don't be judging."
"I'm not. Just…"
"It creeps you out. Flashbacks." Wakaba nodded, sharing a sympathetic smile. "But, it's not like that. True, you still feel your life's essence being drained, can feel it being sucked out of you but…"
"There's a right way and a wrong way to do it." Touya finished. "What Shizuka did to you… That wasn't consensual nor the right way."
"Then, what's the right way?"
"A type of euphoria." Seeing the confused expression on Zero's face, she continued. "A well-trained vampire can kind of… lock? I guess? The intended in a sort of dream world. It's shared with both feeder and feedee, creating and sharing dark desires, secrets or… just holding one another in a field. But, the feedee has to be responsible and know the limits of their partner."
"How do you –"
"Create the space? That's easy. It's a mixture of saliva and consent. If the feeder isn't going into a dream-like state, it remains painful."
"How can you –"
It was Wakaba who cut him off this time. "It's a low ebb at the back of your brain. You fall into it and the rest is up to the feedee. Course, you have more control over the manipulation of the dream since, it's yours."
"… Is that what will be expected if –"
"You and Kain get physical?"
"Touya, stop reading my mind and let me do my own damn questions!" Zero spat at her.
Touya shrugged, pouring herself a glass. As promised, she handed her keys to Wakaba as Zero chanced a sip. "I wouldn't get your hopes up about Kain feeding on you. He's way more controlled than that. Sickeningly so."
"I'm confused." Zero commented.
"About… What?"
"If every vampire has obsessional love –"
"Why is Kain so against it?" Zero's face held contempt. "Sorry."
Touya paused again, downing one of the shots. "Well, like I said. If nurtured, it can turn into love. Considering his… attentions, current company not excluded… Would you say that he'd be well nurtured?"
Zero ignored the barb. "No."
She nodded. "Considering his unhealthy attachments to alcohol, his insistence to like people that… don't necessarily hold what he needs and his general brooding, he's either a self-fulfilling prophecy and she happened to see who he'd become or he's a damaged puppy that needs to be told he's a good boy."
"Crude." Wakaba inserted, glaring at her girlfriend. Zero choked on his blood infused water, the sudden impure thoughts intruding his mind.
"Truth." Touya added, lifting her last shot. "Any more?"
"You said," Zero started slowly, trying to shove a flushed, half-naked Kain from his mind, "that he's met with K… Lord Kuran about his progress."
"I did."
"Do you know what it's about?"
Touya smirked. Wakaba rolled her eyes. "You are mean."
"It's why you love me." She reminded her, sipping on her fruity cocktail.
"So, what do you have to tell me?"
The smirk fell. She unwound from Wakaba, digging her nails into the booth. "… He tried to put him on a time line."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "A time line?"
Touya nodded, not meeting his eye. "The last time they spoke… He's basically ordered Kain to do you."
Zero was surprised that Kain had ignored a direct order. Wakaba read the expression. "I agree completely. Not his business and, even for a Pureblood, that's just…"
"No. That's usual for a Pureblood." He acknowledged Touya's change in demeanor. "So, why didn't he?"
"You know why."
"All right. Then, why is he still…"
"Love, I guess. Or he has no sex drive… Or he's a eunuch."
Zero bit his lip. Definitely not a eunuch. "Will he give him something he can accomplish?"
"Probably." She relaxed a little, finally meeting his eye. He recognized the emotion. Cross wore it for years as they waited for the change. Concern. "The question is, are you willing to go through with it?"
"Through with what? Making love or…" Both Touya and Zero jumped as Wakaba asked her question. Zero's heart softened a little as Touya pressed her lips to Wakaba's forehead. Somehow, she's still so innocent, he thought. True, she wasn't as tall as her counterpart, her eyes full of wonder.
"I don't know but I don't think Lord Kaname would put that demand on him again."
"I think it'd depend on what he expects… And how I can manipulate it."
Touya gritted her teeth, obviously dealing with her own loyalties. Zero admired her control as he drank the rest of his water. She did the same. "But, if he tried to put more pressure on Kain…"
"He'd probably ask for a video of it. Freakin' voyer." Zero finished.
"If he did, you'd have me for an ally." Touya affirmed.
"And that brings us to one other question you never answered." Wakaba stated after a couple minutes of silence passed.
"What question?" Touya questioned.
Wakaba's eyes never left Zero's. "What do you want from this relationship?"
Touya snorted, allowing Zero more time. "What's it matter what he wants? He's getting more in the bargain as is."
"Rima…" Wakaba's voice was closed off, silencing the blonde. "I know you're worried about your friend. But, a relationship is between two people."
"You're not wrong…" Touya pouted.
"What should I want from the relationship?" Zero tried.
"Only you know the answer to that." Wakaba concluded as if she were a psychologist.
"Everyone's got a list of things they didn't find in a previous relationship." Touya tried to assist. "Sex? Time? Cuddles? Activities? Commitment?"
Zero honed in on two. He couldn't have one without the other. For once, he was glad for Touya's interference. "Time and sex."
"Meeting each other's families? Cute nicknames? I think Aka-chan for Kain would be adorable!"
Touya continued as if Zero hadn't spoke. Zero waited patiently, the plan changing in his mind. Even with his station changing by being recognized with the title boyfriend, it didn't assure Kain's allegiance. If he answered wrong, the vampire across from him would rip out his heart before the patrons. For the first time, he considered the relationship he had wound up in seriously.
"Everything." He amended, realizing Touya had stopped talking and the two girls were watching him. He straightened under Wakaba's raised eyebrows. "I want everything."
"You can't have everything!" Touya mocked, giggling. He hadn't noticed she had started with the tequila bottle.
"The fights, the long nights, being Aidou and Souen's cousin by law…" Wakaba started, scrutinizing his answer.
"I'd rather not Souen." He muttered, still bitter about her continuous ill-treatment towards him.
Touya grinned. "When's your next mission?"
Both Wakaba and Zero exchanged glances. "Random."
"You'll see." She sang.
"Um…" He shrugged. "Probably… Next week."
He checked his phone. Touya tsked. "And Kain's going to the city this week."
"Wasn't he just there?" Wakaba asked as Zero returned to the conversation.
"That was the manor. This week is the city… Or was it vice versa…" She shrugged. "And, we don't know when you'll be back."
"If I come back." Zero fixed it.
"Details, details." She flicked her wrist, dismissing the concerns. He glared at her, curiosity growing as she and Wakaba lowered their voices.
"What…"
"Okay." Touya cut him off again, clapping her hands together. "How long between missions?"
"It ranges."
"On average, Einstein."
He pondered it. "About… One every three weeks."
She nodded, a hint of a smile forming. "And, the average mission takes about a week?"
"There about." The nod became more enthusiastic. Zero searched Wakaba for help but, her face was stone. "What are you planning?"
"What would you say if I could try to get the time you two desperately need?"
He tried his best not to convey any confusion or dreaded anticipation. "How?"
"I have my ways." She giggled again, humming to herself.
"Well, good luck with that." Zero said to Wakaba, jerking his head to Touya.
"She's harmless." She assured him.
"Good luck with the meeting." Touya called, gripping Wakaba's side as Zero left.
Toga exhaled a cloud of smoke as Zero approached. "Am I late?"
"If you were late, I'd tan your hide." He remarked, flicking his cigarette. His one eye trailed across Zero's neck as he had since the younger Hunter started dating. "She's not here yet."
"I thought this was to discuss the –"
"No." Toga shrugged as his pupil's head turned in the direction he had come. "She specifically requested that you be around. Even if you're not beside her as her personal guard."
"I'd rather not –"
"Kid." Zero tried his best not to flinch. It had been the tone of voice Toga used when he was disappointed. "Sometimes in this life, you do what you must. And, if we want to figure out what the hell's going on, you've got to be there."
"Can't you just say I'm there?" Zero muttered under his breath. Still, he stood to his full height.
Toga crushed his cigarette and started walking. Zero followed him closely. He noticed that his Master was favouring one leg over the other and quickened his pace to be alongside him. "Cross will accompany her."
"And Kaito?"
"Kaito will be with the E's."
Zero held the door open for the both of them. "And, I'll be?"
"Watching via security camera and ready for back up."
"What, exactly, is the experiment?"
Toga sighed, stopping in his tracks. "What's it to you?"
"Lesson three thousand and seven. Never go into a situation half-cocked."
"Followed by lesson three thousand and eight: don't ask questions." Toga snorted, continuing the route. "We're going to try to feed some of the E's blood. If that works, you might need to bring your boyfriend in for further testing."
Zero grunted his assent. "So, is she giving the blood or…"
"Fresh from the vein." Toga's voice was detached of emotion. Zero felt the panic rise to his throat. "It's not the way I wanted it to go but, E's prefer the fresh blood."
"Do we know if the E's have been tainted already?" Zero questioned after a couple of minutes, finally arriving to his designated station.
"One of them, yes. Stubborn ass. Been trying to figure out who but… They're damn loyal."
Zero shook his head. "Call it off."
Toga narrowed his eye. "Why?"
"Three very good reasons."
"What are they?" He leaned against the door frame.
"We don't know enough. As grateful as I am to Lady Yuuki, she'd have to give her blood every. Damn. Day. And, we don't even know if they are Level E's. They could be Brinks."
"Former humans dissolving into Level E…" Toga rubbed his chin. "And with so many options, we'd be better to –"
"Small doses. Once a week, she gives blood."
Toga whipped out his walkie talkie. Zero stifled his smile. "Cross. Over."
They waited several moments for the crackling end to start. "Hm? Over."
Toga spoke again, walking away. His voice echoed in the chambers. "Change of plans. Hospital wing. Over."
"… Gathering blood? Over."
"Too many variables we don't know. Over."
"True. Explain later. Over and out."
Zero borrowed the phone from the desk, his eyes on Kaito. Just as it started to ring, the latter jumped from the cage, narrowly avoiding the devolved E's claw and shut the door behind him. Then, he stepped away. "This better be important."
"More important than you taunting them."
"Pfft, whatever." He ran a hand through his hair. "Someone chicken out?"
"We're going giving blood route."
"Ugh…" Kaito winced causing Zero to smirk a little. "Why?"
"Math."
"Huh?"
"Six thousand different possibilities over several different types of E's and D's with numerous combinations and permutations –"
"Fine, fine. Nerd." He hung up, informing the others.
Zero sighed, resting against the counter away from the TV that showed the front entry to the hospital. He ignored the pang in his heart, the curiosity, the longing that took over his brain. He wouldn't look at the brunette, he wouldn't see her smile, her determination – daft as she could be. He wouldn't give into that torture, he told himself again and again.
His resolve weakened, desperately searching the screen. The van was parked but, she wasn't to be seen.
A/N: Worth it? I think so. If I'm messing with the Lore, please tell me so I can rewrite issues. And yes, the reason the Hunter Association didn't realize the blood plan was stupid was cause I'm stupid and didn't realize she could technically give blood so, I made them stupid, too! Yea! Only drawback – it reflects poorly on Toga and Cross cause they have to look dumb… I'll probably blame some higher up later on. Next chapter is Kain's ^.^ Poor boy's got nothing to deal with except DRAMA! And yes, I aware a lot of that was Supernatural talk but, they're vampires and got nothing but time. How dull for an Aristocrat… And yes, I am aware that Wakaba mentions Kain's obsession with Gabriel even though I've never shown them hanging out with Touya or watching the show. Just because I didn't add it in earlier didn't mean it didn't happen. Mwhaha!
I'm going to write a BCD chapter after next weekend. Give myself a break. If you can guess what I'm highlighting during this chapter and the next, I MIGHT give a more… sensual scene. (Will probably happen regardless). Until next time loves!