A/N: Ugh, it's been a month and I haven't written a word (computer wise). I've lost my glasses and can't actually read what I'm typing. So, I'll try to update as often as possible. This one will be a longer chapter – and yes, I purposely sent Kain to bed early. Mwhaha. It will contain a little bit of back tracking. Zero's point of view.

"Right. Explore what you are." Souen reiterated, sipping her coffee. Zero sensed the shift in Kain's stance, focusing his attention on the aristocrat more than the events unfolding.

"As opposed to what, Ruuka?" Aidou asked. Kain squeezed his eyes shut.

"Think about it, Hana." She insinuated.

The blonde studied her, unblinking as Touya set her coffee down. Her tone became threatening. "Tread carefully."

"Seriously, think. Why else would he kidnap Akatsuki?"

"There's many other people who would rather see me gone, Ruuka." Kain muttered, offering Zero a barely perceived, apologetic nod.

"Please. He's screwed his way to the top." Souen snorted derisively, her eyes narrowing into slits as they rested on Kiryuu. "Kidnapping Akatsuki would be child's play in comparison."

"And, why would he want us to find him if your… unsavory suggestion is true?" Aidou chided in, understanding finally hitting him.

"To isolate Akatsuki, making us think our dear cousin is a pervert and the idea was his when, in fact, it's –"

"Tread carefully." Kain interjected, holding the same venom as Touya. Zero helped himself to the coffee Gonkuro offered.

"I'm just saying that it might have been an elaborate scheme to –"

"I know your intentions are pure. But," Kain turned to her, using as much authority as he could muster that early in the night, "this is my choice. Respect it or leave."

Souen's eyes dropped to the ground, her voice softer. "I was just –"

"I know you were concerned with my whereabouts and that this entire relationship is confusing and worrisome for future loyalties and business practices. But, it has nothing to do with you." He swiveled back in his chair, holding his mug between his hands.

"But, he could have –"

"Gonkuro said he had nothing to do with it. Even if he did have his own nefarious purposes, how it played out makes no sense if it were part of a game."

Zero bit his lip, trying to contain the annoyance of being talked about. He had enough of that for a lifetime. Souen butt in again. "What about –"

Kain shook his head. Zero watched the fight evaporate from Souen, reason finally clouding over her quick judgments. With a final exhale, she stormed her way to the front door. Aidou sighed heavily, setting his coffee down. Kain tilted his head. "Aren't you going to follow her?"

"Only if you promise her actions won't hinder you from attending." Aidou stated. As if Zero were a sudden factor, he bowed. "The invitation also extends to you, Kiryuu."

"What in –"

"You need me there." Kain interrupted, pressing closer to Zero. Almost as though he were protecting him. "So, regardless of Ruuka's actions, I'll be there."

Aidou nodded once and excused himself. Touya smirked, resting against the island. "If Kain Industries crashes, you should take up mitigation."

"Only in a million years." Kain lifted the mug to his lips, watching his counterpart. "You shouldn't let her talk about you as if you're a pervert, Kiryuu."

"They're just words." He said more for himself than Kain.

"Could have been worse. Least she didn't claw you."

"So, Kiryuu…" Touya broke the silence, a teasing smile on her face. She held up a spoon to her lips as though it were a microphone. "What are your nefarious purposes?"

As she pointed it to Zero, the latter rolled his eyes but humored her. "Just your usual purpose, I guess. Become the supervillain and take over the world."

"Blah, boring." Touya remarked, pointing it back to herself. "You heard it here first, folks: he's supervillain material. After the break, Gonkuro's suspicious cleaning patterns."

Kain shook his head, deciding to derail the conversation. "Now, what's with the Bahama's?"

Touya's smile faded quickly. She fiddled with the ends of her hair. "Why not the Bahama's? It's warm."

"Exactly." He nudged Zero slightly. "We trying to burn him alive?"

"Sayori…" She busied herself with her cup, not bothering to hide the blush.

"Destination wedding?" Kain finished, as though reading her thoughts. Zero covered the cough.

"Hell no!" Touya crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes darkening. Zero prepared for the attack as Kain tilted his head. For the second time that morning, Zero watched as a female deflated against Kain's watchful eye. "Well, not yet. I just want to take her on a trip and I can't let you two idiots be alone."

"Awe." Kain wrapped his arm around Zero's waist. "Think you've just been adopted, Kiryuu-kun."

Zero stared at his boyfriend as though he had grown two heads, trying to decipher which was the more surprising: that unattainable Touya wanted to settle down, that Kain was being clingy, or that Gonkuro was unfazed by any of the ongoings and diligently cleaning.

"Think you broke Kiryuu." Touya stated as he returned to the conversation. She waved her hand in front of his face. "No retaliation? Aka-chan is one of my favourites."

Zero paled, glad he hadn't swallowed another mouthful. His counterpart banged his head against the counter. Gonkuro muttered, "two to one, Touya."

"You don't use any nicknames for Yori?" Zero questioned, hoping to deviate from the current questioning.

"No." Touya enjoyed tormenting them today, it seemed.

"Why not?"

"Because I like the way her name, for lack of a better expression, tastes." She placed her cup into the sink and leaned over the counter, bright blue eyes examining Zero carefully. "So, how about it?"

"How about what?" He asked, ignoring the glare Kain was sending her way or the broad smile Gonkuro was trying to hide.

"If Kain asked you on a trip, would you go?"

"Are you in cahoots with Aidou and Souen?" Kain asked, cutting off Zero's answer.

"He's just been invited to the engagement party. Also, no."

Zero was glad the attention was off him as Kain returned to the silent, not-so-intimidating glare. Did it only appear scary when I didn't know him? Zero questioned, suddenly reminded of it being directed at him anytime he was on duty, surrounded by the rest of the Kuran Vampire Fan Club. Or, was it an act for him? Or, was it that there were several of them? "Kiryuu?"

The rest of the room was gauging his reaction. "Sorry, what?"

Kain sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Zero stifled a snarky comment. "Do you want to accompany me to the party?"

"I—"

"Think of it this way." Touya interjected. "True, you're surrounded by vampires that all hate you. But, you get alone time with Kain in his true childhood home, a shared bed and, it's practice for the later trip."

"What makes you think there'll be another trip? He'll be around the biggest manipulators this world has to offer." Kain growled.

"Weren't the Kuran's going to that?"

"I'll go." Zero answered before they continued their discussion. Kain lowered his head, swallowing audibly. Touya was busy making her own calculations in her head. Hoping for a quick fix, Zero turned to Kain. "You promised I wouldn't live like a toy."

Kain sighed but nodded, trying his best to hide whatever he was experiencing. Touya shrugged. "Then, I'm going, too. More drama."

"Your parents are going to be there?" Kain questioned.

"Miss the social season of the century with Kuran's turning up? They wouldn't miss it for the world. Plus, it might distract Mr. and Mrs. Souen long enough from their disappointing in-law."

"They're going to be that disappointed?" Zero asked.

"They've been planning this since they found out Ruuka's gender – from the venue to the proposal to the first kid." Zero's hand rested on Kain's shoulder as the other rested his head against the counter, overwhelmed.

"Are you going to be alright?" Touya questioned.

Zero shrugged as Kain straightened, eyes resting on his partner. "Think we'll be fine."

Touya snapped her fingers. "You never answered. So, would you take a trip with Kain?"

"Thought that was evident." He remarked, resting his head against Kain's shoulder. There used to be a joke between Kaito and Master – if Zero spoke more than thirty words in an hour, he'd explode his brain. Right now, he was wondering if that were true.

"I should get him back to bed." Kain told Touya, shifting Zero's head against his collarbone.

"Cravings?" Gonkuro asked. Kain only shrugged.

"And, how long am I on house arrest?" Zero asked as Kain laid him on his bed, throwing the covers over him.

"Until you feel better." Kain answered, sliding the needle back into Zero's skin. He rested a hand on the side of his boyfriend's face, resting on his neck then, studied the puncture marks. "It should never have come to that."

Zero shrugged, the strange softness of Kain's voice almost a drone. "I did what I had to. And, it's not like you were planning on being kidnapped."

"I'd call it abducted." He brushed the hair out of Zero's eyes. "Next time, throw Aidou at me before sacrificing yourself."

The unspoken words behind the sentence bothered Zero. Even more so once Kain stripped down to his underwear. As he crawled over the covers, he wrapped his arms around Zero's frame, careful not to disturb the IV. The Hunter raised an eyebrow. "What…"

"It's what I should have done last night." Propping himself on his elbow, Kain lifted Zero's head, lightly massaging between the scalp and the neck. "Been here for you. Stopped you from biting me. Held you. Reminded you you're not alone."

It seemed like a dream. Being alone with Shizuka. Wandering alone, tired, cold. He forced the memory away, focusing on Kain's eyes, lightened by the streaks of the early moon. Still, under the surface, the beast inside lingered, probably proud of it's puncture marks. How long could he fight it off? And worse: Zero found his own eyes trailing above Kain's collarbone, his fingers brushing against the vein, teeth enlarging… Kain shifted away from him. "I'm sorry."

"Hmm?" He blinked his partner back into focus. "Sorry?"

Kain sat up. He ran a hand through his hair before studying Zero over his shoulder. "Sorry that I called you Kiryuu-kun. Sorry that I bit you."

Zero raised himself onto his elbows, the world spinning. Kain tried to force him down again, stopped only by his signature glare. He nodded once and started backing away. The Hunter's fingers tangled in his hair, his other arm wrapping around Kain's waist as he brought the other into his side. Only with Kain pressed against him did Zero relax. The aristocrat bit his lip hard, blood swelling before he tried again. "I shouldn't have –"

"Stop." Kain did as he was told, quieting once Zero's head turned towards him. His thumb rested on the others lower lip, absentmindedly tracing to his cheek. "Do you know what poison they used?"

"Hana said he'd try to track it down. Right now, the theories poisoned animal blood."

"Like tranquilized horse?"

"More likely rabbit or a component closer to human."

"Even so, don't apologize or say you shouldn't have. I did what I had to. As did you."

"Still…"

Zero shrugged. "Now, as to Kiryuu-kun…"

Kain lowered his gaze. "Again, I wasn't thinking –"

"Did you mean it when you told me you'd try to love me?"

Kain paused, his brow furrowing. "Yes."

"And you still want me?" Another pause, this one longer. Kain squeezed his eyes shut tight. Misreading the sign, Zero nodded to himself. "I see… I'll pack my bags –"

"I want you." Kain blurted out, his cheeks starting to gain colour.

Zero bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn't sure if it was the beast or his own desperate need but, he almost needed him to repeat it. "… Then, don't apologize for calling me Kiryuu-kun. If anyone has a right to use the nickname, it's Aka-chan."

He tried to ignore the rustling in his belly as Kain blushed and tried his best to hide the smile. After all, that could prove problematic in the future.

It was early afternoon when Zero finally woke again to find himself alone in the bed. As much as he, surprisingly, enjoyed Kain's company, he found it difficult to focus on his own goals with the vampire hanging around. Or perhaps, he started as he ripped the needle out of his arm, vampires prefer to hang around the aristocrat dramas.

He had barely dressed when Gonkuro came in wheeling a cart with tea. One glance and the elder grinned at him. "Feeling better?"

Zero nodded, offering the other his seat. The butler shook his head, producing a tin can filled with what could only be a salve. "No, thanks."

"You sure? A vampire's bite can contain toxins. This, at least, helps it heal a bit faster."

"Kain's is almost healed." Zero explained.

"I wasn't talking about his. But, your choice." He set it back on the cart, not bothering to hide the grin when Zero begrudgingly grabbed the can. It faded almost immediately as he studied the younger. "You know, too many bites from different vampires can confuse the emotions and dull the senses. It's much better to treat it as an offering."

"And, you'd know how?" Zero muttered, unsure if the butler heard.

"Shall we go for a walk?" Gonkuro asked after a couple of minutes. "Nothing too strenuous, I assure you."

Zero allowed the butler to remove the needle though, he glared as the pain shot up in his arm. Sadistic jerk. Still, he stood straight. They had walked a few feet from the room when the questions started. "You're a Hunter?"

"Yes."

"Does Master Kain approve of it?"

"As long as I'm hunting Level E's, they could care less."

"I see." He led the younger to a section of patio not under construction. "Of course killing Level E's is an honorable profession but… There are worse monsters."

"Like?"

Gonkuro hid a slight smile. "I think it's time we had some tea together, don't you?"

Zero had barely affirmed when the butler took off, leaving him to follow closely. Despite the size of the manor, they seemed understaffed. As if reading his thoughts, Gonkuro answered. "Master Kain insisted they have a week off while you heal. Said it'd be cruel to have so many temptations while you're still trying to replenish the blood supply."

"Then, why are you here? Aren't you afraid I'll do something to you?"

"An old trick I learned from Himari." He studied him, suddenly serious. "Tell me, are you familiar with taming a vampire?"

"I've only heard of one tactic."

"Right. The Hunter's tactic. But, there were smaller groups of humans that could control one." As he poured the tea, Gonkuro's sleeve slide upward to reveal an old scar.

"I'm assuming that's one way?"

"Yes. Mistress Kain taught me that one. But, Himari showed me another." Noticing Zero's confusion, Gonkuro sighed and rested himself on the stool. To the Hunter, the man now appeared to be in his forties. Any passerby would think it was an interview. "I'm assuming Master Kain didn't tell of my story."

"No. He said it was yours to tell."

"Thoughtful." He slumped forwards. "And, has Master Kain told you of his childhood?"

"Kitashi's an ass, Mayoko lovely but manipulative." Zero summed up.

"And their violent, bratty little boy." Gonkuro added. Zero's eyes widened as Gonkuro nodded. "I know. Hard to believe."

"Is it alright for you to be telling me this?"

"For a few different reasons, yes."

"What are the reasons?"

"How about this…" He poured another cup. "I tell you the history, you tell me what you're planning. Capiche?"

Zero nodded. Gonkuro's eyes softened, suddenly filled with warmth and empathy. "I know what happened to your family so, the first part you'll be familiar with. Vampire goes on a rampage, decides they don't like something, revenge driven… I've heard all the stories as to why. But, I don't know why they targeted mine.

"We were humble farmers, always kept our noses clean. I was at the market, came home and they were gone. Later, through investigation, I found that they were killed by Master Kain Senior as an attempt to impress his lover. Considering how many of his lover's I've met, I'd say he was trying to impress a pureblood or a vampire of purer blood." Zero waited for him to continue as he brushed the memory off. "At that point in time, the orphanages were crammed. You'd be lucky to see yourself live to eighteen. The job options were pickpocket, con artist or prostitute. Until, one day, an aristocratic woman came."

"Mayoko?" Gonkuro nodded and lifted a cup to his lips. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Your hatred of the Kuran's has become somewhat of a legend." He set the cup down. "But, you're not the only one and you need allies more than anything."

"Do you hate them?"

"Tell me this: how does Master Kain fit in with your plan?"

"He doesn't."

Gonkuro raised an eyebrow but continued. "The keepers of my orphanage informed everyone that they had to donate a small amount of blood. I was maybe… ten? Just wanted it over with. A few people who had gone before me drifted by, dazed with a gauze around their neck or on their wrist. We were told it was only a bruise. When I was next, I heard the kid before me screaming their head off. I charged in. Stupid but… What I saw… He had collapsed in her arms…"

He regained his train of thought, the frozen shock quickly shifting to passive. "I froze. She saw me first. I was taken outside and punished. Not the whip or cane – simple starvation. Claimed I ruined an important donation for them. And, in a week, I was told to pack my belongings. You didn't question authority in those times. I did as they ordered but, when I headed to the gate, they lead me to the adoption office. Mistress Kain was waiting for me there."

"For what purpose?" Zero questioned as Gonkuro poured himself another cup.

"Let an old man have some suspense, would you?" He drank deeply. Zero hated the wait but thought better of storming off. "I thought this woman was going to kill me. Instead, she made me an offer: protect her son and tame him in exchange for food, board and an education. I was skeptical but, after many threatening looks from the directors, I accepted. Almost no one gets adopted.

"It was halfway 'home' that she opened up." He spat home in pure disgust. "She figured I'd had an encounter with a vampire that I remembered. And that I was too stunned to do anything about it."

"What would you have rather done?" Zero asked.

"There was nothing I could do. I had no weapon and I was like a damn deer caught in the headlights." He poured himself another cup, offering one to Zero. The younger accepted. "During my first few days at this house, Master Kain Senior was out of country and six-year-old Master Kain was at his cousins. The first time I met Master Kain, he was polite. That soon changed. I still don't know why."

"How did it change?"

"Mistress Kain told me that he had two faces: one that was more like his father's and one that was polite but, his father's dominated for the majority of the time. He'd start a temper tantrum and it'd escalate to being the biggest brat of all time." Gonkuro snorted at the thought. "He started displaying this and Mistress grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the kitchen where she held my arm against a butcher block with a sharp knife."

Zero gritted his teeth as Gonkuro mimicked which way the knife cut, starting from the wrist to the inner elbow in one stroke. "I almost screamed. Especially when she started pouring it into a glass and asking for Master Kain. This little turd comes in with a smirk asking if I'm to be his blood bag. At that point, I wanted to smack him. Mistress Kain did smack him, calling him ungrateful. Little ass threw the biggest fit I'd ever seen… Until I met Master Kain Senior."

"Kain told me a little of your first encounter with Kitashi."

Gonkuro snorted. "No, he probably told you of the first time the blood taming started taking effect. It took months of me bleeding for this little… jerk. I lived in Mistress Kain's design studio. Every morning, she'd open up a wound and tell me to think happy thoughts before feeding me her blood. I'd be back on my feet within a couple of hours and that would be his blood source. There's nothing more aggravating than watching this…."

He inhaled deeply. "Most of Master Kain's fits would subside within two hours. Progress was slow but, he stopped trying to throw vases at Mistress Kain within two weeks so, it was helping. His half-hearted shoves hurt still but, around month two, he stopped doing that as well."

"So, straight blood tweaks behavior?" Zero asked after some time.

"From what I've witnessed, it can tweak personality. Or, at least, calm it. But then, the house itself was toxic for anyone to live in. Master Kain Senior came home and started his bellowing, yelling, smashing… Only, he was stronger."

"Did you find that out after your first encounter with Kitashi? The one where Kain trashed your room?"

Gonkruo furrowed his brow. "That was my fifth serious encounter, not my first. Master Kain probably blocked out the others."

"Why?"

"He was just as bad. Learned behaviors are hard to fix once they become habit and since Master Kain Senior spent more time with Master Kain than anywhere else…" He nodded to himself. "No, the first encounter, he displaced my knee. Second wasn't any better. Mistress Kain had to find a doctor to fix it and now, my job was to be a servant boy.

"It was around… The third time Master Kain started looking after me. Reset my jaw, applied ice… But, the fifth encounter, he took the punishment instead. After that, he didn't leave my side if Master Kain Senior was around."

"You said it tweaked personality. Did his loyalty streak come from you, then?"

Gonkuro shook his head. "No. I was supressing the parts that he learned from his father. Then, Mistress Kain told me that it had created a bond – not like the one you and Master Kain share so, stop with that train of thought.

"What she didn't tell me," Gonkuro continued as he drained his cup, "was that my sentiments, nightmares… Anything that greatly weighed on my conscious would affect him, become his."

Zero pushed the cup away from him, his stomach turning. Gonkuro nodded. "When you fed on him, I felt it. Like something was being taken away from me. Couldn't breathe for a moment but then, like a pulsating heart, I felt it dimly."

Zero's thoughts traced to Yuuki. Did it feel like that for her? Was it worse because there was love? He became preoccupied with the string on his sweatpants, wondering if his nightmares had affected Yuuki… Or Kain. Gonkuro leaned back in his chair, much like a plump cat satisfied with his meal. "I assume it'd be worse if I had kept with that way of feeding. Thankfully, after the tragedy, Himari taught me another way… After she had spent many hours telling me being friends with a vampire was stupid."

"How?"

"Have you ever seen or heard of Pinocchio?" Zero shook his head. "Wooden boy wants to become a human boy but, he has no conscious and no morality so, a cricket is charged with being his conscious. Three drops of blood every month on a piece of metal that they'll always carry with them. Kind of like what the tattoo and bracelet were supposed to do – except it's more about supressing the worst aspects of a vampire than giving a pleasure shock."

"You know about that?" Zero asked, quickly covering his tattoo with his hand.

Gonkuro smiled sadly. "I know various things. Most are idle gossip wrapped in truth. Some are legends. And, I take it upon myself to learn the truths."

"I see." Sensing the history lesson was over, Zero leaned forward in his chair. "What do you want to know."

"I've done the majority of my research. Your parents' history, your brother, Yagari, Cross, Kuran…"

"How did you…"

"That was part of my education. Mistress Kain paid a handsome amount for me to learn how to keep undesirables away from Master Kain. But, it also means I have to keep track of people who he attaches to." He shrugged. "I know you weren't involved with the kidnapping and why I covered for you."

"What do you want to know?" Zero rephrased.

"Can't an old man have his roundabout way of asking?" Gonkuro played the old card again. Zero tried to hide an amused smile. "I assume you're a smart boy and have already figured out I'm distrustful of Purebloods."

"After what happened with Kitashi? Yes. What's the bone you have to pick?"

"There's no particular bone, per se. I also assume you already know that Master Kain only initiated this relationship under Lord Kaname's order where every detail of your relationship being reported and he commands everything." Zero nodded. Gonkuro squeezed his eyes shut. "I know enough of vampire politics to know some of it is necessary but, there's still a small amount of freewill. As someone who's been in a position as a puppet, it's not something I'd wish on my worst enemy."

"What are you driving at?"

Gonkuro opened his eyes again, the train of thought fading. "If I could ask you for two things, would you oblige?"

"Considering you just went on a spiel about control, no."

Gonkuro swallowed a smile. "I'm still unsure as to the level who ordered Master Kain Senior and Mistress Kain's deaths. I'm sure it's a vampire, though."

"So, you'd like me to look into it?"

"If you'd be so kind."

"I can poke around. The second?"

"How willing are you to protect Kain?"

"That depends." Zero couldn't meet Gonkuro's gaze for a while after he answered.

"On the circumstances?" Gonkuro asked, breaking the silence. Zero could only nod. "If Kain is in your way, I won't begrudge you harming him. Killing him, though…"

Zero could only imagine the gesture Gonkuro made. He raised his head just as Gonkuro had sipped his tea. "Why are you so invested in my plans for the Kurans?"

"Everyone has their own plots – Master Kain excluded. I prefer the plots that are easy to follow rather than the hidden agendas. As Master Kain's bodyguard, I deserve to know what I should be protecting him from." Silence ensued again. The next question caught Zero off guard. "Do you have any plans to complete the blood bond?"

"Wh…" He leaned back in his seat, his eyes widened in surprise. "Why?"

"I see."

Zero inhaled deeply. "Why should I?"

"A partial blood bond is dangerous depending on the status when it's started. I was less affected as my relationship to Master Kain is one of friendship. Yours… Well." He gathered the teacups and pot, placing them on a tray.

"It seems as though you know what would happen." Zero watched him from the corner of his eye.

Gonkuro's shoulders lowered. "Where Master Kain's feeding was understandable, I was also expected to feed Mistress Kain to delay her madness."

It seemed like he squirmed under his skin, the memory just below the surface.

"What do you mean?" Zero leaned against the kitchen island, the gaze on Gonkuro darkening.

"A broken blood bond forces insanity."

"Like pieces are missing. You're not quite there anymore but, you are until either anger overtakes you… or sadness." Zero summarized from Kain's previous explanation.

Gonkuro nodded. "You know it, then. But, no one ever tells of what happens to the kids who were made after the blood bond fades…"

"Which is why you're worried about him."

"There's moments where he acts like his mother." The older man seemed far away. "I don't know if my feeding him helped or is only delaying the inevitable. Tell me… Have there been gaps in his personality? Irrational behaviors, loyalties switching, night terrors, uncertainty or depressive episodes?"

"I thought the nightmares were yours."

"So, no other signs?"

"Not that I've noticed."

Gonkuro nodded. "No, my worst memories were his nightmares. Now, they're yours."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Gonkuro swiveled around, almost angry. "You let him feed on you. It's important you understand the severity of the situation."

Zero studied the marble in the island, averting his gaze. "What are your plans?"

"For?"

"For Master Kain. Do you intend to love him?" Again, he met Gonkuro's eye just as the blood rushed to his cheeks. The other sighed in relief. "Good."

"Why does he run a charity?" Zero asked, trying to deflect the situation.

"The answers obvious, don't you think?"

In the meantime, Zero was able to form a better question. "What's the real reason you chose to share all this information with me?"

Gonkuro faltered. "Simple answer: I'm old. Master Kain is well-established enough that he doesn't truly need the top ups. But, the day will come when I pass and everything will be revealed to him. He deserves some company who knows his past as well as I do. Don't you agree?"

"Hanabusa. What do we owe the pleasure?" Kain asked from his seat by the library fire. Day three and Zero was healed but still, his roommate accompanied him everywhere 'just in case'. His concern, sorrow and bedside manner both bothered and pleased Zero. He chose to believe it was out of pity. Kain had offered him access to Kitashi's library. Zero accepted, hopeful that Kain Senior had left a hint as to the ties of the Kain's, Aidou's and Souen's. He turned at the intrusion.

Rather than his exasperated, fretting or easy smile that Zero coincided with Aidou's personality, the latter appeared serious. In the same fashion as their first meeting, Kain offered a seat on the couch. Aidou shook his head. Like clockwork, Kain's phone buzzed. Zero watched as the aristocrat read the text with… disdain? Disgust? "Kiryuu, Kuran wishes to have a private meeting with the both of us."

Aidou collapsed on the couch, his hands curled into fists. "I thought I'd have time to warn you."

Zero rolled his eyes. "I don't answer to their beck and call."

"You'll throw me to the wolves, then?" Kain questioned, seemingly hurt.

Zero sighed. "What day?"

"Tomorrow evening."

"Can't. I've got an assignment."

"Perfect." Aidou interjected to the surprise of both. It was clear that they had forgotten him. "Kiryuu, do Akatsuki. Or, other way. I don't know who tops who."

"Pardon?" Zero asked.

"Wh… Um…" The aristocrat flushed, swallowing hard. "That's no one's concern. Especially not yours or Ruuka's."

"I wouldn't tell you what to do if it weren't urgent." Aidou stated.

"You don't tell me what to do regardless." Zero nodded to his partner and sulked to the doorframe. He figured it better for Kain to deal with the ridiculousness that was his cousin.

"You're still coming to the party, yeah?"

Zero paused, his back to them both. "… We'll see."

Zero flinched to the sound of Kaito's constant banging on the wall, the woman's obvious moans echoing in the small motel room. He thought about pounding on it, calling his partner to turn it down or turn up the TV to disturb the next guests' enjoyment. But, nothing would stop it – Kaito had said so himself on many different occasions. Instead, Zero found himself outside, the stars blinding him momentarily. Even the threatening cold wind didn't phase him. He was accustomed to the feeling of numb.

Warmth. He scoffed at himself, the thought taking place, rooting itself. Fireplace. Fire. Kain. Instinctively, he pressed a hand to where Kain had burned him their first night. He could handle that. But… The deep-set burgundy eyes that held a thousand horrors… Possibly worse than what Zero could only imagine. But then, perhaps his own trauma's matched. Brooding was a hobby for both of them, it seemed. One for past sins and failures, the other from the current. Maybe they were both current.

He lit a cigarette, trying to shake off the thoughts. Again, only one came to him. Warmth. He exhaled sharply, trying to find the same assortment his counterpart sought. Not for the first time, Zero traced the bite mark, only wincing slightly. Gonkuro had checked that they weren't infected, insisting he use the salve on it repeatedly throughout his stay. Even with the proof that it had happened, he was still in denial. Zero Kiryuu would never offer his blood to just anyone. The bite, sure. But, the blood? Never.

A/N: Okay, this took way too long to do. Also, I know Aidou would NEVER boss Kain around but, desperate times. Ugh, I hate writing shyte chapters but this one was important.