A/N: Perhaps it's been a while only because I was in such a depressing state in my life. Or, perhaps, it is because I feel more like myself now. Or, maybe, even more shockingly, I like and respect myself now than I have previously. The ideas have flown in my head for months but I hadn't had time to write them.

Kain tasted his own blood flooding his mouth, glad for some type of distraction from fretting over Kiryuu. Aidou had stayed with him as the hours flew, worsening the anxiety. Kiryuu nodded towards the two of them before taking off, perhaps never to return. If this meeting is as bad as I think it will be, Kain thought to himself, I'd rather he not return. He almost smacked himself for thinking so. "And, Lady Yuuki has now been asking."

"Sorry?" Aidou questioned, annoyed to set aside his books. Not for the millionth time, Kain ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. Even after an hour-long argument of Aidou assuring Kain that the anxiety would disappear with a few hours of sleep and Kain's insistence that he wasn't anxious (though, he reorganized the bookshelf according to author). Aidou drawled out his sigh as he closed his books. "What's going through that head of yours?"

"Finish your paper." Kain ordered, flipping through a magazine article. With Aidou huffing behind his pages and peering at Kain every so often, the older of the two tried to keep a poker face. Even then, he found himself fretting. Lord Kaname being interested in what activities Kain was up to. That was the agreement, wasn't it? But then, Lady Yuuki – who had more right to know what went on with her adoptive brother's life – asking about it almost seemed… Overbearing? No, that wasn't the right word. If Lady Yuuki's was considered, for the lack of the correct word, overbearing, then what would Lord Kaname's be? Or, was this a part of the torture that Lord Kaname set up for her to test her own boundaries? Or, perhaps, it was to test Kiryuu's? If that were the case, Kain wouldn't mention it to him. Unless he asked…

"Akatsuki, you'd tell me if there was something on your mind, right?" Aidou questioned.

"Of course." Kain answered robotically, pulling himself out of his dilemma. How much was to be expected out of this meeting? The focus would probably be on feeding on Kiryuu – that alone could force Kain into the shadows and watch as someone plays Double Agent better.

"Right. Number Eight's outlandish."

"Hmm?" Kain looked up at Aidou, following his gaze. He swallowed the heat emanating from his cheeks. 'A Guide to a Better Sex Life' read back to him in red letters.

"You should probably start by spending the night." Aidou answered for him, closing the magazine and plunking himself beside his cousin. "What's on your mind?"

No answer. Advising his cousins was Kain's job, not the other way around. Aidou spoke again. "I doubt they'll even bring it up."

"He always does." Kain answered. "But, why did Lady Yuuki tell you to tell me?"

"One feels like a command, the other, friendly advice."

Kain leaned his head back. "Go back to causing problems, Hana. I don't like that the roles are switched."

"You don't like anything." Aidou joked, nudging his cousin. "And, I'm sure I'll screw up something."

Minutes passed. Kain leaned forward. "What do I tell him?"

"Kiryuu?" Kain nodded. Aidou shrugged. "The truth?"

"What if I'm pulled off the mission?"

"You're worried about that?" Again, Kain nodded. Aidou sighed. "I'll figure something out."

"What?"

"Well, if they send him over to me and Ruuka… I can feel the glares, stop it." He scowled. "Fine. Ruuka and I, we'll arrange it so you two are still seeing each other."

"I'd like that… But, I don't know if he –"

"Have you always been insecure or is that just a thing now?"

"Touya claims it's been an always thing." He muttered under his breath.

"Regardless." Aidou flipped his hair back, obviously enjoying his time as the advisor. Kain tried not to resent him for it. "Do you believe he's a desperate monster? Do you think he'd be okay with never even saying goodbye to you?"

Kain stared at his feet. "There's more than you know to it…"

"He wouldn't up and leave you, Kain."

Even now, images of Yuuki swirled in the older cousins' mind. Yet, he only nodded, a smile forced on his face. Luckily for him, Aidou was never able to tell.

Kain ordered another, his eyes shifting over the people in the bar. He was glad he had come early – at least no one could sit behind him. Thankfully, the bar wasn't too crowded. He exhaled again, checking his phone for the thousandth time and waiting for an emergency. At least, Aidou had promised him an easy out though, Kain knew neither of them would be able to follow through.

Still, he nursed his drink like a wild animal caged, eyes darting back and forth through the bar and the unfamiliar faces. His fingers tapped the table, drumming as he sipped through yet another anxiety attack. How many did he have? His mind started counting the drinks before realizing the question was aimed for his anxiety. Well… "May I join you?"

Kain snapped his head to, what Touya would call, a bossy bitch. He furrowed an eyebrow, wondering how they had infiltrated his protective circle. "Waiting for someone. Sorry."

"Maybe we can keep you company while you wait?" One chirped up.

"There's several other seats."

"Mean." She started pouting.

"Waiting long?" Kaname's voice asked, authoritative yet gentle. The girls started with their kyaa's – which, if Kain was honest, was more annoying the older they got. He closed his eyes, imagining the walls going up brick by brick. By the time he opened his eyes, Kaname and Yuuki sat across from him. "That hasn't happened in a while."

Not since Shiki… Kain shrugged. "I was a million miles away."

"Thinking about a certain someone?" Yuuki questioned, a small smile on her face. Kain swallowed audibly, waiting for the chastising to begin.

"Does he still have the scars?" Kaname asked, only slightly interested. Each word was like a whip, a dog afraid of his master, fueled by rage.

Kain tried his best to hide the flinch. "The salve seems to work."

"Good. I'd hate it if this incident tarnished your reputation with your clients."

Kain bowed his head, glad Yuuki was there. As long as she was, Kaname wouldn't tear him a new one. She was the first to ask. "So, what happened?"

"Some wannabe vampire Hunter, pretty sure. Gonkuro's looking into all leads."

"Except the obvious?" Kaname questioned.

Kain felt his blood boiling, his hands clenching into fists. He softened his voice. "No one's been eliminated as such, if that's what you mean."

"And, Zero wouldn't do something like that." Yuuki piped up. Kain studied her, nonchalantly dismissing the idea. "You know that town near the Academy? Apparently, there was a newly formed Level E town near it."

Kain felt another flush of fire, feeling like ice. He ignored the pain as it shot towards his heart, analyzing it. It was fainter than if it had been from Kaname but… He wasn't sure why Lady Yuuki would start affecting him like this. Unless… He felt stupid. Of course. Kiryuu fed off Lady Yuuki at the Academy. He fed off Kiryuu. Not an exact blood bond but, close enough. "Besides, they're closer than ever. Right, Kain?"

Kain hurriedly bowed his head and squeezed his eyes shut. Kaname scoffed. "He doesn't smell…"

"Why does that have to be the only way? It'll happen."

"If Kain has his way, it'll never happen." Kaname's retort shut down Yuuki's protests. Kain started picking at his fingernails, his general relaxed posture changing as he hunched his shoulders forward. Feeling emboldened, Kaname turned his attention to their guest. "I have a few… clients interested in Kain Industries. You're still interested in expanding to the US, right?"

Without a word, Kain nodded. "Would you like their numbers?"

Again, the nod. Kain was sure if he so much as looked towards the Kurans, he'd see Kitashi and Mayoko staring back him. Kaname stood. "I'll text you the details, then."

"I'd like to ask Kain's advise on something." Yuuki challenged. Kaname paused, finally accepting it.

"Seiren will stay, then." With the flourish of his coat, he was out.

Yuuki waited for several moments for Kain to lift his head. "You didn't. Why?"

Kain cleared his throat, finally finding those brown eyes warm and confused. "Would you rather your foster brother be someone who sees him as a release or with someone trying to be better for him?"

She pressed an index finger against her lower lip. "Are you scared or something?"

He avoided her gaze. She nodded once. "Right. Of course –"

"It's not so much as me being scared." He cut her off. "It's… I shouldn't be talking about this with you. I'm sorry."

He stood and bowed, hastily paying for his own drinks before bailing. Something about the whole thing confused him. Despite his promise to Touya, Kain decided it would be better if he informed Kiryuu first.

The apartment played loud, what Touya called, music. She poured another glass for him, despite emptying more than half of the bottle onto the counter. Kain felt overheated, reaching for the glass. She grinned, downing the damn thing. "Hey!"

"Too slow, A-kitty." She slurred, swaying slightly and pouring another herself.

"A-kitty?" Kain tried to follow her logic, pressing a finger to his lip.

"You don't know where to go but you know it's not where your owner wants." She meowed annoyingly.

"Keep talking." He insisted, managing to rip the bottle out of her hand.

"Alcoholic." She giggled, leaning over the counter for the bottle. "Share."

"Nuh-uh." He stepped away from the counter, watching her as he took a swig. She tried to run around the counter, tripping over the bar stools. He glared as she managed to overpower him.

"So scary, A-kitty." She turned and almost ran over Kiryuu. Kain's face paled, his body only too aware that his heart pounded in his ears. Covered from head to toe in blood, Kiryuu's tired eyes rested on Kain. He stepped around Touya and, wrapping his arms around Kain's waist, buried his head against Kain's shoulder. Touya smirked as Kain wrapped his own around Kiryuu's frame, the smell of blood overpowering him.

"Seems like he needs some Aka-chan." Touya smirked, meowing. Kain flipped her off as she gathered her belongings.

"Need a cab?"

"Nah, Shiki owes me after I covered his ass." Her smile faltered momentarily as she studied Kain. He could see the internal struggle.

"If you can't tell me, don't tell me." He nudged Kiryuu's head, only slightly aware of his snoring.

"Okay…" She tapped Kiryuu on the back, hiccoughing. "Tell me if he purrs, 'kay?"

Kain followed her out with another glare, finally turning to the man who had collapsed into him. The blood had dried, matting his hair over the course of several days, the blood almost overpowering even dried. He wondered if Kiryuu had been injured during the situation. Still, Kain lifted him up, taking off his shoes. The latter whined, desperate for his mattress. Kain inhaled deeply, trying his best not to scrunch his nose at the scent. He lay Kiryuu on the guest mattress, determined not to wake the sleeping man. Somehow, the unconscious Hunter cleverly guided Kain against his side, content.

Kain felt the surge of his fangs, swallowing repeatedly to try to discourage their interest in the pulsating veins. He squeezed his eyes shut, choosing to tear at the sheets rather than into Kiryuu's skin. Only slight images flooded past his eyes: dead eyes. Lures – children who would find adults in neighboring towns and lead them to another, probably to appease their vampire mentors. Fear. He could smell that a mile away. Kaito's dead body. Yagari's. Headmaster Cross's. Lady Yuuki's. Kain's.

He was startled by his own appearance through Kiryuu's eyes. A part was self-satisfied. After all, he made the cut. How many times did he fight? How many people did he lose? How many were innocent?

His mind raced with these questions. He was almost unaware of Kiryuu's waking noise, the slow untangling of their limbs. With Kiryuu's back to him, Kain lifted himself up. He reached a hand towards him, stopping himself. Kiryuu sighed and started stripping, throwing the blood-soaked clothes in the bathroom sink and cold water running. Kain acted quickly, stripping the bed sheets off and replacing them with fresh ones. With the reek of the old blood evaporating from him, he snuggled deeper, tired eyes finally closing. Instead, his mind drifted to the younger of them. Even now, emotions not foreign but definitely not his own caused his insomnia.

He sat up, patiently waiting for Kiryuu's return. Fear. Anxiety. It seemed like if he could just follow one train of thought, he might be able to understand the cause. Yet, no matter how long he followed, he'd wind up only knowing one thing: the emotion. His heart sunk, frustration finally taking hold.

"You're up." Kain only nodded his response. Kiryuu sat next to his feet, his hair hanging in his face, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "We should talk."

"Great idea! First, let's stop calling it talking rather communicating emotions." Kain spat, hating his own surge of anxiety. Great move, Akatsuki. He called out, regret instantly surging. He exhaled. "I… Don't like calling it talking. Talking usually means it's bad."

"So, should I refrain from calling it talking if it's not bad?"

"Is it bad?"

Kiryuu thought for a moment. "Depends how you see it."

"Then, it's bad. So, yes, call it talking." Silence. Kain shuffled himself to the edge of the bed, barely able to see the colour of Kiryuu's eyes. "You're afraid."

The next wave of emotion hit him: annoyance. He almost laughed, glad to feel something other than upsetting emotions. He was glad for the one-way trainwreck and continued. "Why? Or, better yet, what of?"

Kiryuu glared at him, his eyes a softer colour than they would be if he actually meant it. Curiosity? Anger? Or, did he feel seen? Understood? "That might have worked back at the Academy but, you're an adult. Use your words."

He nodded encouragingly. Kiryuu bit down on a snort. "You know I'm using you, right?"

"Kind of got that impression a long time ago. Especially since there was no stipulation of why you wanted a roommate."

"Yet, you're stupid enough to take it on."

"You already know what I am. And, what promises I made." Kain ran a hand through his hair, finally settling next to Kiryuu. "The closer I get to you, the harder the questions are to answer."

"Then, don't answer them. Better yet, don't get close to me."

Kain studied him. Slightly annoyed, he sunk to his knees and turned Kiryuu's head towards him. "You know I care about you, right?"

"Stop." Kiryuu stood, taking a few steps past Kain. "I know I'm a user. You? Probably some dumb loser who ran to the first thing that showed him affection."

"You know –"

"Not everything has to do with the Kurans. The things that don't…" He gestured to the two of them, deflating. Kain may have backed off… If it wasn't for the deep pleading.

"Are you saying –"

"Never mind."

Kain exhaled and stood, hoping he was as tall and imposing as he hoped to be. "I won't 'never mind', thank you. Just because you're too brooding to be in touch with what you might feel or, maybe not feel or, you don't phrase it correctly doesn't mean I can 'never mind'. Our relationship –"

"Our relationship is a joke! Can't you see that?" Kiryuu stepped toward him. "Everything about it is orchestrated. Tell me, Kain – have you lied to Lord Kaname about what position we screwed in? Or, are you still playing innocent even though you're the one getting me off? How much of every little detail do they know?"

Kain shook his head. Even if that wasn't why he was afraid or what the anxiety was for, it still added to it. At least, a small part of it. Kiryuu, probably hopeful that he had been insulting enough, placed a hand on the door. Kain closed it, his hand resting on Kiryuu's hip. He lowered his voice, lips next to Kiryuu's ear. "I think they're trying to separate us."

Kiryuu spun around, fist only stopped by the hand that was on the door. Sure that Kiryuu wouldn't hit him, Kain eased his grip and stepped away. Kiryuu followed suit. "What do you mean?"

"Lord Kaname has decided to fund my expansion idea by giving me the names of all his American clients."

"So, what does that mean?"

"My guess? You'll probably be pawned off to Ichijo." He said pawned with disgust. Silence. Kain chanced a glance at his counterpart. One strand fell in front of his face. Using his thumb, Kain tucked the strand behind his ear, finding the lilac eyes dulled yet, instinctively cat like as it followed his hands every move. He tested the theory, cupping Kiryuu's cheek and tracing the lower lip. "Would you be alright if I kissed you?"

Kiryuu shrugged. Kain nodded to himself, pressing his lips against Kiryuu's. He hoped he'd read at least some of what he offered, chaste was it was. Calm. Gentle. Even if it were only those two emotions, he'd understand the gist. Kain started to pull away. He hadn't noticed Kiryuu's hand behind his neck nor the one tangled in his hair. Kiryuu pulled him back, biting and tracing his lower lip slowly. To stop the growl at the back of his throat, Kain gripped Kiryuu's hips, wrapping around his waist as Kiryuu's tongue slid over Kain's, prompting the other to do the same.

Kain didn't know how they wound up on the bed, Kiryuu breathless as the aristocrat littered his neck with kisses. He tried to ignore the pulsating under his lips, taunting the fangs. It was his own moan that broke the trance, unsure of how the abdomen could turn sensitive. He broke and rolled away suddenly, calming himself by squeezing his eyes shut. Kiryuu lifted himself onto his elbows, a sad smirk on his face. "Not yet?"

"Not nice." Kain managed, glaring at him. He quickly resented himself for that action, Kiryuu's hair mussed with the pink tongue wetting his lips. He tried again, finding his mind clear before he chanced curling into Kiryuu's side. "Too tired."

The silence last only a moment. It quickly dissipated, the emotions not his pushing forth. He turned Kiryuu's head back to him. "What aren't you telling me?"

"It's nothing."

"If it's bothering you, it's not nothing." Silence. "What's going on?"

"Considering my answer to the engagement party."

Kain blinked. "Huh?"

"I never did decide if I'd show up or not."

"I thought you did."

"Yes, and changed my mind a thousand times."

"I mean, you don't have to go if you don't want to."

Kiryuu smirked. "I think it'd be pretty dull without us."

A/N: Completion 01/05/2022. First chapter. Not my favourite but then, Zero and Kain in formal wear is pretty picturesque.