A/N: My '60hour work week' dropped drastically to a 46 hour work week… Plus eight hours on Saturdays… Ugggggggh. And, last week, I had a ten hour day. On top of that, I have sprained my ankle and yet, still taking buses. Love my life right now. Can I move to the country yet? Or, better still, be fabulously wealthy?

Earlier that evening, Aidou had sat across from him in the bar. They drank from their glasses, toasting to the relationships they found themselves in. His cousin had been the first to let the mood drop, fiddling with something in his pocket. Kain didn't bother to notice, turning the empty glass with his index finger as Kuran's words settled on his mind. Had it been an ultimatum? An either/or choice? Kain knew the Pureblood would have preferred both. Still, even as close as he could feel to the Hunter at times, knowing the proximity of their physical beings and the heavy glare from those violet irises… If he couldn't love the Hunter, what was the point of the rest? Again, Kain's mind drifted into the internal debate of love and obsession. "… Akatsuki?"

"Hmm?" Kain lifted his eyes to meet Aidou's pleading ones. He blinked a few times, examining his surroundings. No, they hadn't moved. "Sorry."

"If I wanted to be ignored, I'd have visited my father." Aidou huffed, standing.

"Please." Kain gestured for Aidou to return to his seat. The blonde sat, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I have your attention then?"

"One hundred percent."

The younger vampire nodded, his eyes downcast. "Do… Do you love Ruuka, Akatsuki?"

Kain weighed the words heavily in his mind. "As my cousin, yes."

"I mean… As your wife." The older paused, trying his best not to twiddle his thumbs as the anxiety built up. Souen's downcast eyes, her paler demeanor and toffee hair blurred into one. Did he love her fiery temper that matched Aidous'? Or her points of vulnerability? He met his cousins' eyes once more to find him rambling. "I mean, your mum set that up. But, is it really how you feel?"

"Do I love Ruuka?" Kain reiterated, pondering the question. "I suppose, in a way, I do."

Aidou's face fell drastically. Kain set his drink down. "The question of our indefinite circumstances has guided me since I was young, as you well know. And, the meaning of love is different for different situations."

"Akatsuki –"

"No, hear me out." Kain watched with sick amusement as Aidou huffed, much like a child stuck in a seat and told he must eat his dinner. "As family, I love her. I always have. Just as I have always loved you. And yes, I'll say it: our betrothal did, in a sense, guide my attractions and attentions to her."

"No longer?"

"Let me finish, Hanabusa." Aidou held a finger to his lips. "But, I've never been in love with her. I may have comforted her during bad days, been her confidant… Just as I've been yours."

He swallowed audibly as the image of Souen with her reserved smile summoned itself behind his eyes. He closed them, the last words spoken more to her than to Aidou. "And, for that reason, she deserves to be happy with you. Someone who is in love with her. And that's you, Hana."

When he reopened them, Kain could feel the tears threatening him. It doesn't matter now, he told himself repeatedly. Aidou stared at him, quizzically, as if trying to find a word of a lie. Kain assumed he hadn't found one for, he produced a velvet box from his pocket, opening it. "Custom design, silver and platinum."

"From when she went on a rampage about the ring at Shiki and Ichijo's announcement?" He hoped he hadn't spat out Ichijo's name as he lifted it.

"Please. The woman changes her mind every ten seconds. At this point, she should just be happy she's getting a ring and not a t-shirt."

"What'd that say?"

"Probably, 'if lost, return to Aidou', with my phone number on it."

"You know she'd give you a matching one."

"And, you'd probably give us dog collars to go along with it."

Kain smiled and set the box down. "It suits her."

"You'll be best man?"

"Eh… How about stodgy, old-fashioned man?"

"Think Gonkuro's got that one covered."

"Then, I guess." He poured Aidou another glass.

"Good. Cause, I need help with the proposal." Aidou swallowed it in one as Kain composed himself.

"Do you know where?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me."

These two… He pinched the bridge of his nose. "When would be the better question, then."

"… Gathering."

"Pardon?" As much as Kain loved to piece his cousin's mind together, he had more pressing issues to deal with.

"The family gathering."

"Right." Kain nodded thoughtfully. "You know that old creek we'd chase each other across and she could never play because auntie would make her wear her best dress?"

"Yes. And then, I pushed her in."

"Course you did. That explains that punishment." He was silent again. "Take her on the bridge just when the moonflowers start blooming. No red wine – you want a sober Ruuka, not a persnickety, angry one."

"And, what do I say?"

"How…" He had to physically bite his lip from saying the thought stomping through his head. "What do you want to say?"

Aidou shrugged. "That I love her and want to be with her?"

"Yeah, that won't sit well with her."

"Why?"

"Romantic comedy one-oh-one: if a speech isn't three minutes long, the relationship won't last." Kain shrugged under Aidou's glare. "She's the one who made me watch every single drama."

"Pretty sure that was the other way around." Aidou winced to Kain's satisfaction. "Kicking under the table? Really?"

"Mmhmm." He held up a finger. "Maybe start by focusing on how you two got together. Add in some of the things she's done for you that you've noticed."

"Right. So, something like this." Aidou cleared his throat. "Ruuka. We started off as childhood worst enemies to slight companions to bed buds to friends with benefits to lovers…"

"Yes, I'm familiar with the transgression of your relationship." Kain hung his head as Aidou took out a pen and piece of paper from his wallet. "Start with childhood worst enemies. Stop. What is something that you encouraged her to do that she secretly loved but had to pretend she hated?"

"Me pushing her into the creek?" Kain nodded his approval. "Do I keep going on that train of thought?"

"No. Do a summary of how you became somewhat companions and confessing your feelings. Then, the things that you love about her."

"Like what?"

"Like… The way she flips her hair over her shoulder when she's about to destroy someone. Or, how heated she gets in an argument that quickly dissipates."

Aidou stopped, returning to his scrutinizing of his older cousin. "You're sure this is alright with you?"

"Yes but, if you don't stop dragging your feet, I'll damn well do it." He tapped on the paper, gaining a grin from the blonde. "Finally, little things that she does for you."

"Like… Laundry?"

"… Right." Kain made to stand, Aidou clinging to his shirt. He sat again. "What's one thing she does that no one else does?"

"Um… Treats me different because of the blood tablets."

"Does or doesn't?"

"Doesn't." He wrote it down under Kain's slight nod. "And, when I have to drink them, she slips in her own blood."

"How do you… Did you guys do the blood bond already?" Kain's eyes widened, expecting the riot at the next family gathering.

"No, no. She smells like food on occasion. Judging." He pressed the pen to his lips. "And then, what?"

"Ask."

"Ask what?"

"Je…" He flinched before he finished the phrase. "Ruuka, will you marry me?"

"Oh. Yeah." Aidou shot him the thumbs up.

"Sheldon." Kain muttered to himself, avoiding the kick Aidou attempted. He was glad that, after he promised to assuage the group of elders, Aidou left. But, the alcohol stung his tongue. Every image behind his lids, he could see his cousins smile with joy… And feel himself drop with dread.

He left the bar, eager to find something that could curb his thoughts. Even for a moment. The woman smoking had let him have one. It burned his lungs with every drag. The group ahead blew out an unknown substance. If it hadn't worsened his plight, Kain might have asked for some. He searched his phone and called for Touya as his pace quickened, eager to return to the four walled prison. Straight to voicemail.

Once inside the comfort of his room, the changes didn't stop. He'd laugh one minute, finally elated by the prospect of his cousins happiness then, he'd chew on the skin next to his thumb. Happiness swelled in his chest, excitement. Then, it'd drop by confusion and sorrow.

That was one thing Kain had learned about himself through this endeavor: wasting time. Anger began boiling away as he thought of how long he had waited for Souen, coaxed with a non-existent promise. He wanted to punch Aidou in his stupid face, curling into a ball of fear and self-pity. But, he didn't cry.

The first thing Kain saw were thighs falling in front of him. Slender fingers. Not now. Please, not now. He felt the callouses rub against his wrist, the other hand resting under his chin, lifting his head. Kain's eyes chose to find the carotid artery, preferring to be the beast than the victim. He willed his senses to focus on the blood pumping, extending the fangs. He could hear his captor roll his eyes. But, the scars that Shizuka remained with newer scars emerging. "Do you want me to leave you alone?"

Kain rose to his knees as Kiryuu tried to stand, wrapping an arm around his waist. The Hunter allowed it, shoving Kain off once he brushed his index and middle fingers across the scars. "You've been fed upon."

"Yeah. Many times." Kain finally raised his eyes to Kiryuu just as the latter had shrugged. "Vampires bite when they get some."

Kain's eyebrows furrowed, his attention returning to the scars on Kiryuu's neck. The Hunter helped him to stand. "Were they gentle?"

Kiryuu snorted. Disgust crossed Kain's face. "You shouldn't let them bite you if they're not going to treat you well."

"It's history, Kain. Ancient." He turned his back to aristocrat, his hand on the door. Kiryuu spun around, elbow raised. It was easy for Kain to lift the arm above Kiryuu's head, the other trapped between them. Again, Kain traced the scars on Kiryuu's neck. "What's the deal?"

Kain shut his eyes firmly, assuaging the almost erotic sharing of blood fantasy of a teenager to dwindle. Finally, he released Kiryuu, meeting the lilac eyes for the first time that evening. Curious. Willing. Confused. Hard. Kain fancied that his own mirrored most of those sentiments. "I… I don't like the idea that… Someone fed from you without at least trying to make it…"

He ran a hand through his hair. How was he supposed to phrase it without sounding like a, in Touya's terms, 'schmuck'? Kiryuu scoffed. "It doesn't make it less pleasurable just because their tactic isn't slow and gentle."

"Doesn't it? Would you know?" Kain had to resist the urge to step closer to the Hunter as he spoke the last. "Have you ever had someone make love to you?"

"Are you offering?" The head-tilt-arms-crossed move.

Kain shook his head. "I'm… I'm not ready to… I'm sorry."

He pushed past Kiryuu, unsure what his motives were. He needed space, that much he knew. "Kain, hold on."

Despite the warning tone, the aristocrat stopped. He knew Kiryuu would be a couple feet behind him. "You can't just say things like that and leave."

"Why?"

"It's like… You don't want to be a part of this relationship."

"… Interesting assessment." He didn't want to explain everything right now. If he stayed, he'd feel obligated and then, they'd both feel worse. So, he left.

"Master Kain." Gonkuro welcomed, offering the smallest hint of a bow. Kain returned with a small smile, knowing his emotions showed on his face. A day had passed since his meeting with Aidou, the shock not yet wearing off.

"Staff done for the day?"

"Clearing out for the night."

"Give them the weekend off." He brushed past Gonkuro, starting to inspect what the builders had done.

"The moulding –"

"I can see for myself, Kanno." Gonkuro paused at the sudden shift in his younger companions' temperament. "Do me a favour?"

"Of course." Even though Kain hadn't faced the elder man, he knew the calculating mind behind it as he tried to decipher the reasons. He tossed his phone to the elder man, tired of trying the line.

"Call Touya." He continued through the house, finally winding up in his own room where he slid against the furthest wall and sat on the floor. He tried to clear his mind, bothered by the relief, regret, worry and sense of duty he was to express. How much was him? How much was family?

"Master Kain?" Gonkuro asked, rapping on the door. Kain didn't answer as the door forced open with a squawk. By her scent, Kain knew Touya was pissed before she even opened her mouth.

"First…" She kicked his shin as hard as she could, settling on the bed across from him. "Seventy-five missed calls? All in twenty four hours. And, that's not including the calls I got from Kiryuu – what'd you do to him? Yori finally picked up – eight month anniversary, Kain! Eight!"

"Rima…" His voice was foreign to him. Detached. Numb. He heard Gonkuro shuffle into the room, joining the other vampire on the bed. "I'm sorry I'm a bad friend."

Touya slid in front of Kain, lifting his head. She softened her voice, that intense gaze softening. "Souen or Shiki?"

"Ruuka…"

She nodded once and sat next to him. "Gonkuro, can we get some tea?"

The older nodded once, calling for another servant. Despite her harsh glare at him, Gonkuro stayed seated. Defeated, she turned Kain's head. "Care to share, Akatsuki?"

He tried, opening his mouth but, not a sound came out. She nodded once again. "I'm assuming it has to do with the big blow up you had at Kiryuu?"

He pulled his knees into his chest, confirming her suspicion. "He told you?"

"More or less. Less because he told Sayori." For a split second, he tried to curl his lips into a smile, resting his head on his knees. "What do you need me to do?"

"What do you want to do?" He didn't face her, knowing she'd be sick of his answers.

"I can sit here if you need."

He shook his head.

"Is it Kiryuu related?" Gonkuro tried. Again, Kain shook his head.

"I already figured that portion out, Kanno." Touya responded in a huff. "We're Souen hating today."

"I don't hate her." Kain replied.

"Well, I do." Touya retorted.

"Do we hate Aidou, then?" Gonkuro questioned, his creaking old bones somehow lowering itself to Kain's level.

"Hanabusa is preparing the proposal." Kain answered. "But, it was with my blessing… and help."

He turned his head away as Touya scoured her mind to understand the situation. Even without full understanding, Gonkuro touched Kain's head sympathetically. Giving up, the female vampire sighed. "Going to need more than that."

He related the situation to them both. If anyone could unravel his thoughts, his feelings… It would be Touya. Gonkuro was better for moral support when he was in the right. Still, they both listened intently. When he was done, he turned to Touya. "So, what am I feeling? Why am I angry?"

She sighed. "You've been hyped up about this idea you're meant to be with Souen. To the point of possessive. When Souen stopped showing interest, you still had to choose her but, the lackadaisical approach to you meant that you could explore yourself – provided that you didn't try anything. So, enter Shiki. Congrats, you're into boys."

Gonkuro hid a smirk, one that reflected on Touya's face. Kain tried to ignore it. "Then, Shiki gets engaged. Have you realized you're not that upset about it?"

"Because I was in love with the idea of him, not actually him." Kain rationalized.

"Correct. Boy smart." She patted his head. "And, that's where your confusion begins."

"What confusion?"

"As to what to do with your newfound freedom now that Souen's no longer holding you back."

"But, I don't have freedom." Touya and Gonkuro shared a smile. "What? What do you know that I don't?"

"Nothing, nothing." She patted his head again and stood. "Though, you might want to call Kiryuu."

Kain groaned, sliding onto the bed with Gonkuro. "And say what?"

"That you think he's hot?" She shut the door right before Kain's pillow hit it. "Also, this could have been a phone call!"

"I tried." Kain muttered, falling back onto his bed. Gonkuro lay next to him. "What do you think, Gonkuro?"

"It's too early for an old man to impart knowledge."

"I'm older than you."

"And less mature." Kain stuck out his tongue. Gonkuro did the same. "I do think you should call Master Kiryuu."

"Any plans on what to say to him?"

"Hi?"

"Less useful than Touya."

"Don't compare me to that wench." He flicked Kain's head. His smile faded. "Do you love Kiryuu, Kain?"

"I can't love, Gonkuro. I don't think it exists for me."

"Then, a better question: do you care about him?"

"Just as I care about you and Touya and Souen and Aidou."

"I see." With his creaky bones, Gonkuro stood, balancing on his cane. "Then, goodnight, Master Kain."

"Kain." He felt someone shake his shoulder. His answer was mumbled as he turned his head further away from the intruder. They were persistent. "Kain."

"… No."

"I'm warning you." Touya's voice rang through his head. He opened one eye, glaring at her.

"Warning me?"

"Well, your boyfriend showed up today."

"What boyfriend?"

"Ugh…" She threw off the covers. "Why are you naked?"

"Why aren't you?" He replied absentmindedly.

"Please. On my list of people to do, you'd be the last." She turned on the light on its brightest setting. "Up."

"Fine…" He draped the remaining blanket over him, rubbing his eyes. "What?"

"Kiryuu's here."

"Uh-huh. What of it?" Kain questioned, stifling a yawn.

"I'm not letting you ruin it."

"He could be happier with someone else."

Touya turned to him with a look that could kill someone. "Stop being a martyr right now. Your very nocturnal, worried, Hunter boyfriend is playing house with Gonkuro waiting for you to show up after I had to invite him over because you're so damn stubborn and stuck in the thoughts that you don't deserve happiness…"

"I'm up." He assured her, pressing a hand on her shoulder, slightly shoving her to the side.

"Oh, and you're physica – oh." She stopped her next tirade as he pulled out his chest of drawers from under the bed.

"Go play tea party. I'll be there in a bit." He assured her. The moment she was out of the room, he cast a wistful glance at his bed. Then again, if he could make it up to Kiryuu, they could share it. His smile turned bitter as Kitashi's voice rang through his head.

A/N: That was… traumatizing. Sorry, I dealt with a situation very like this while writing it. And, back to therapeutic writing when I have to do Zero's… T. T Sorry this took so long to upload. Buuut, the story should be moving on a bit quicker now. Mwhahahaha!