A/N: I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date. No time to say hello, 'goodbye', I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!

But, I'll make up for it. Mwhahaha.

Even with Zero laying on his arm with his head turned away, Kain hated the wall that seemed to rebuild any time either of them showed emotion. Perhaps it was his fault – he had set the precedent. But then, there were thoughts that poisoned Zero's mind. At least, that was his take, just as Kitashi had surfaced to Kain right when he made a choice.

He couldn't help the desperation for some kind of acknowledgment, his hand hovering over the strands of Zero's hair. He let it slide to Zero's waist, holding the other tightly. No, this was not the time to focus on his needs or wants. Regardless of what their relationship was like at the moment, he'd do better. Even if his partner didn't want him to see the vulnerability, Kain would hold him. Everything else would be on Zero's terms.

Kain remained in that position for several hours, watching the even breaths. Once or twice, he believed the other had hiccupped and prepared to reassure him the same way Mayoko had. All too soon, his alarm went off and Kain reluctantly started his day, taking great care to leave Zero sleep.

He joined Gonkuro at the kitchen table, pouring himself a coffee. Gonkuro smirked at him. "He's noisy."

"Like you're one to talk." The elder laughed as Kain downed the liquid. The room turned serious. "You're against him."

"I don't know him." Gonkuro confessed, settling into his chair. "He's not that talkative."

"Would you be?"

"Point." Gonkuro sighed. "What do you know about him?"

"His history. His present. Futures still blurry." Kain handed his butler a phone. "On the e-mail –"

"Fax it." He ordered, throwing the phone back at him.

"Meet in a dark alleyway, shades on, exchanging confidential files." Kain muttered. His butler used his cane against his knee.

"Ever hear 'don't sass your elders'?"

"Yes. You don't seem to follow that one." He dodged the second cane attack, the smile fading. "Try to play nice."

"If you'd tell me some of his likes…"

"That's up to you to discover." His phone went off again. Sighing, he slipped it into his pocket. "Is it weird that this is the least stressful part of my stay?"

"Hiding in your office"/

"Let's hope." He raised his glass. "Have fun without me."

"Oh yeah. We'll bang on all the surfaces." Kain narrowed his eyes as Gonkuro rolled his. "Go. We'll manage."

Enmei pulled into the stall at the back. Kain slid his sunglasses on, smoothing his hair down as his chauffer opened his door. "You'll call when you're ready to be picked up?"

"Of course." He straightened his back, one quick glance to the paparazzi.

Enmei followed his glance, scowling. "Should I have parked further?"

"No. They'll be looking for me." He forced himself into a diplomatic composure, squaring his shoulders. As he approached the group, the other board members glared at him. The press turned heads, their eyes wide.

"Mr. Kain, is it true that you've revoked your one-hundred percent coverage?"

"Does this mean you no longer have any faith in the products your company purchases?"

Someone thrust a microphone in his face. He glanced into Takada's face, the small conspiracy between them forming. She might be my favourite. He gestured for the reporters to settle, taking the lime light off his partners. "Yes, I have revoked my name from the merchandise at one hundred percent coverage and satisfaction guarantee. It shouldn't have ever been a single person but a company where the refund comes from."

"Does this mean you no longer have faith in the products your company purchases?" The question came again, demanding.

"Since my father had started –"

"Do you no longer –"

"Let me fini –" He watched as it fell to arguing. He rolled eyes to the back of his head. Least Touya will find this amusing. He slid the sunglasses off, fixing each member with a stare. They grew quiet. "My father had started this company with the clear idea that we were to return to a world we knew and loved before the fighting. Our returns since then have dwindled to ten percent. The merchandise is tried and true and I have every faith in it."

One reporter cautiously lifted their hand. He nodded to them, a small smile on his face. "Then, why stop?"

"There's no reason for me to guarantee anymore. With the ten percent return rate on literally thousands of products, the satisfaction rate of our customers has risen and we've become one of the more… revered in the industries we've seen fit. Any unsatisfied customer can rely on the company for that refund, not individuals."

Yet another hand. "Why not start with that when the company was built?"

Finally, the right questions. He opened his mouth when one of the elder men stepped forward. "That is all the time we have left for today."

"Don't be rude." Kain answered him, watching as the other's resolve crumbled and he meekly stepped down. He returned to the reporter. "The founders of the company believed it to be a good way to establish it. But, we've been established now for over… thirty years now."

The next question returned to a topic Kain was never interested in discussing. "Is it true you're dating a guy?"

"What's his name?"

"How long have you been together?"

He sighed inwardly. "If none of the remaining questions have to do with the company, I must conclude this."

"What's his take on the new –"

Kain disappeared into the building, Takada following closely. The other partner's surrounded him. "Why didn't you tell us this is what you were planning?"

"Because someone keeps putting that clause in the damn agreement." He shared. One of the apprentice partners raised their eyebrows. Not you, then. The others remained quiet.

"About time." One of them muttered. "Though, not sharing that with us… Kitashi would be proud."

"Kitashi set the way. I'm merely trying to play catch up." He stood outside his office.

"Well, maybe you'll be ready to participate in the negotiations." One of them offered though, she seemed smug. "We want to expand."

"And no one informed me of this?" Kain questioned, examining each of the partners. Over one of their shoulders, he saw Takada's browser switch into eighteen tabs. Long night… He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It was in an e-mail… Two months ago?"

"That explains it." He said more to himself. He raised his eyes to his least favourite partner. "Where are we trying for first, then?"

"The US would probably be the start." One of them chirped up.

"And, why aren't we starting with Europe?"

"Europe is expensive and in their old ways. But, Americans –"

"Start the trends." Kain answered, nodding. "Right. What's our time line and where are we starting?"

"New York?"

"No."

"Kain, as the youngest –"

"We don't start with the big cities. We'd be drowned out, our voices unheard. I'd focus on smaller areas."

"But, with New York –"

"It depends on what we're selling." He leaned against his door. "If we're starting with architecture or catering, we might as well throw money at the representatives. We have to find something that is unique that they have few of. I'd choose a different city if we're starting out."

"Like…"

He glanced at Takada's computer. "I'll figure it out."

"Well, the meeting is tomorrow at nine."

"I'll have it figured out before then." They bowed, walking away quickly. He banged his head against the wood door. "Any ideas, Takada?"

"Coffee, shots and internet." She told him, handing him a coffee.

"How are we being received?" He asked, standing over her shoulder.

"See for yourself." She turned the monitor towards him.

"Akatsuki Kain finally coming into his own." He nodded. "Accurate. Maybe we'll have something better."

"Can I ask if your reasoning has to do with the AVAH?"

He paused, setting his coffee down. "What do you know of the AVAH?"

She smiled secretively. "I have friends who benefitted from it."

"Glad to hear it." He nodded, pressing a finger to his lips. "Just keep it under wraps. They don't like knowing where my money goes if it's not to them."

"Understood." She printed off a page. "Arizona?"

"Arizona?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Illinois?"

"What?"

"States." She pressed the map into his hand.

"Why are there fifty of them?" He rubbed his temple.

Hours. Days. Kain flipped through every states' capital, locating American owners that they could sell it to. He had a mix of medium to large cities, each state having one city where he could do the experimentation. Some had a few more, depending on the demographics he could find. Takada rapped on the window just as he set his head down. "Touya's calling."

He glanced at the clock. Seven AM. He lifted the receiver to his ear. "So, when are you free?"

"… For what?"

"For a tropical paradise trip with your boyfriend that I won for you?"

"Oh, for fli… I didn't!" He figured she was talking to Wakaba.

"Wakaba! What is she talking about?" Considering the echo of the room, he figured Touya had put him on speaker.

"Rima thinks you and Zero need a romantic get away. Which, horrible idea!"

"It's not horrible."

"You like to meddle."

"I do. You knew this going in!"

"Yes but, not as much as this!"

"Should I hang up?" Kain asked.

"No!"

"Yes!"

He hung up, instantly phoning Kiryuu. He answered on the second ring. "Please tell me you're coming home soon."

"You miss me that much?" Kain didn't much appreciate the elated feeling in his chest.

"More or less." He heard something creak and assumed Kiryuu had changed his position. "But, that's not why you called."

"Did Touya mention a vacation get away to you?"

"She mentioned it but, I figured it was a joke. Why?"

"Apparently, she and Wakaba are arguing about it."

"She was serious about that?"

"Yes." He leaned back in his chair. "Unfortunate thing about her: if it has to do with me, she'll go all out."

"Starting to understand that." Silence. "Do you want to?"

"Not on her dime. She'd probably send us to Africa and leave us to become lion pack leaders."

"We both know I'd be the leader, thank you."

"Feuding lion packs."

"Do lions feud?"

Kain typed the question. "Only if one of us decides we're alpha of both."

"Fight to the death. Wouldn't that be interesting."

"Probably put it all on film."

"Adopted lion man alpha of the pack. All bets are off."

Kain tried to picture Kiryuu in the role of Tarzan. "You'd look good."

"Pfft. I have no plans to wind up on the Sahara."

"If you could go on a vacation anywhere, where would it be?"

"That would mean I'd have to take a vacation."

"Just imagine."

"… Probably home. I don't need more than that."

"Nowhere else?"

"Nah. You?"

"I have no expectations."

"So, do you want me to phone Touya or…"

"No, just wanted the heads up. But, if she starts manipulating you…"

"Stab her?"

"With what?"

"A chopstick?"

Kain stifled a laugh. "As much as I'd love to see that, just direct her to me."

"So she can manipulate you?"

"She can attempt. Anyway, I have a meeting two hours." Takada started waving at him through the window.

"I thought vampires liked to sleep at this time of day."

"But I'm not a vampire." He could almost see the smirk.

"Well, I'm going on a mission tomorrow so, I guess I'll see you in the penthouse?"

"See you then." He let Kiryuu hang up first, glaring at the constant vibrations on his phone, answering Touya's second.

"Okay, Sayori is against my meddling so, vacations on you."

"You're backing down?"

"Apparently, Kiryuu said no, you say meh and Sayori is no so, no."

"Stop pouting, Touya. I'll let you have the bragging rights if things work out."

He could see the wide smile on her face as if she were standing in front of him. "Things are going good?"

"Bye, Touya." He hung up on her, turning off his phone. Meddler. Kain opened the door for Takada. "You have the power point?"

"Is it smart to place it in so many places?"

"Numbers and demographics are the only two things that never lie. If we can aim for manipulation of American made, we'll do better." He covered a yawn.

"Another coffee?"

"Day one of negotiations." He stretched slightly. "Though, I'd prefer a little more warning than this."

"Sorry – I didn't –"

"No, you're not to blame. They hate that I hold sway." Another yawn.

Kain was dead on his feet but satisfied. All his research had paid off. True, the rest of the negotiations had yet to be sorted but, the initial was approved. He stood outside, waiting for Enmei to pull the car around. The last rays of sunshine sank into the horizon.

It was a small pinprick. The exhaustion. He felt his body cave into his sleep deprived nature. A second. A third. Then, all went dark.

A/N: I have three chapters planned out and I hope to write them all today (Sunday). Leave your thoughts, kill me later. And, rest well my dears *.*