A/N: Originally, this was going to be the third to last chapter however, I realized I made a mistake. So, instead, there's only going to be three more official chapters before cute scenarios that most definitely did happen.

Zero slid into his seat slowly, the pain shooting up his leg. He knew Kaito was watching him, that all knowing, smug facial expression forming even as the car door slammed. Even turning was a challenge as he clipped in his seatbelt. Kaito broke the silence, only receiving a chastising glare. "I got a call from you last night."

Silence. He started again, his foot to the pedal. "How often do you beg him to wreck you?"

"How long were listening to it, perv?" Zero leaned his head against the window, wishing Bloody Rose could interfere on his behalf.

"Only long enough to hear about handcuffs."

Zero squeezed his eyes shut. "Of course you did."

"I mean, self-growth, I guess? You managed to bang a dude and stay with him for… three months?"

The Hunter tried to soothe the knot in his stomach as his eyes fell to the rear-view mirror. "Four."

Kaito whistled lowly. "When can I expect the meeting asking for your hand?"

Silence. Zero knew that Kaito was watching him. "You know I'm just kidding, right?"

"Mm."

"Then, why the silent treatment?"

"Don't want to talk."

"Sounds about right."

The town was easy. Master had insisted that all humans were to be evacuated with the assistance of the AVAH. It made the hunt easier than normal though, one had managed to get a little close. Even though no one was in danger except them, Zero couldn't help but feel disappointed. Kaito rested his back against the vehicle, covered in blood. "Clean sweep."

"Too clean." Zero replied, his eyes still scanning the area with vague interest. "There's something else here."

Kaito sighed and slammed the door shut, looping his fingers through his belt loops. "Just for once, I'd like it if you didn't voice your crazy thoughts."

Zero rolled his eyes. Kaito pinched the bridge of his nose. "AVAH did what it was intended to do."

"No, it's meant to help people get back on their feet through any means, not do a clear out."

"Kain tell you that before or after?"

"For someone not into men, you do ask a lot of questions."

Kaito scowled. "Maybe it's a new implementation."

Zero ignored the comments as he started sweeping the area, keeping his hands on Bloody Rose. Kaito followed after a few minutes, whining the entire time about how he never trusts Zero's gut instinct. About the third sweep, Zero slipped Bloody Rose into the holster. "Maybe that was paranoia."

Kaito shrugged as they started walking towards the vehicle. "You sure it's paranoia? Or, are you avoiding something you probably shouldn't be?"

Zero hated how easily Kaito could read him. He waited for the other to unlock the doors, finally meeting his eye. His partner leaned against the other door. For a moment, Zero thought he could pass for the Masters son. The thought slipped away. "What's going on?"

"Let's go."

"I will after you tell me what's going on."

"Nothing's going on."

"Bull."

"Though, I'm really curious about something."

Kaito blinked a few times. "Huh?"

Zero shrugged, holding the keys with a slight smile. "What do you think the Master knows about the AVAH?"

"What do you want to know about it?" Master asked, lighting a cigarette. The man whose office it was started to object, covering it with a cough. Zero stood, his hands behind his back.

"What can you tell me?"

"After Vampire Attack Housing – AVAH for short. Founded by Kain Jr. Official coordinator is Mrs. Ozaki. Board members are Kain, Mrs. Ozaki, Kanno Gonkuro and Enmei Gonkuro."

"I could have gotten that off their website." Zero told him. Kaito sighed and sat in the chair, happily ignoring their Masters glare as he set his feet on the desk. "What I want to know is why they cleared out –"

"They cleared it out because I asked Mrs. Ozaki to." He inhaled, the smoke somehow swirling around Zero's face. "It's easier to Hunt if there's not a bunch of freaking civilians hanging around, screaming in your face."

"Why would you…"

"Mr. Aidou asked me to keep it private from you. And we know what I think of that." He adjusted his position, resting his elbows on the table. "He calls it phase two. Phase one of clearing a master bond is, in his words, easily corrected and works one hundred percent of the time… Rounded up from 99.9 but…"

"Like hand sanitizer." Kaito interjected, much to Masters annoyance.

"Mm." He returned his attention to Zero. "Though, he's testing a hypothesis of the varying degrees of a master bond and asked for test subjects. No blood involved, just psychological testing."

"Who did he use as a control? How did he come up with that hypothesis?"

"You'd have to ask him." Master crushed his cigarette, much to the glee of the office's owner. "Now… Why the fascination about what the AVAH does?"

Zero rummaged through his go bag, throwing the documents on the desk. Yagari raised an eyebrow. "Acting Operations Manager?"

"Kain's idea while he's off in America."

Yagari nodded. "Highlighted sections are investigating… Mrs. Ozaki and Gonkuro?"

"Enmei was easy. I don't think he's even aware that he is a part of it."

"Should you be sharing this with me?"

Zero shrugged. "I feel like Kain wouldn't really care if I shared it with hobo John at this point."

"Who?" Kaito snorted, shaking his head. Yagari continued. "So, are you mad that I went to Ozaki instead of you or about the process?"

"Why would I be mad about that?" Zero tried his best not to scoff at the notion. "What I'm trying to figure out if this was a one-time thing for Aidou to test his hypothesis, if this is a new implementation of the AVAH or if they've made a deal with the Hunters Association."

"One time thing." Yagari answered, flipping through the agreement. "He trusts you completely, doesn't he?"

Zero didn't comment, knowing the paragraph well. Kaito started stretching. "Why do you care so much about what a charity does?"

"I think it's a good idea if the proper procedures are in place."

Zero let himself in, the suite darker than it had ever been. He flicked the light switch, biting down on his lip. With a sigh of relief, he started searching for a sign of life. He had hope as he searched each room, starting to feel ridiculous as he searched through. No, he concluded as he trudged towards his shared room, Kain'll be home.

He stripped off his clothing in a matter of seconds, scrubbing his skin clear of any tint of red. He tried to use it as a way to distract himself, listening for the door. It wasn't until he entered the bed portion of the room that his heart dropped.

A hoodie. A note. A lily. Zero lifted the lily first, setting it on the dresser and hunted for a pair of sweat pants before sitting next to the remaining objects. He opened the letter first, unsure of why Kain left the other on the bed.

Kyaa! Zero-kun. Already, Zero wanted to tear it up. He hated the stupid joke, the ironic becoming unironic. Still, he read on.

If you're reading this, I didn't get a chance to run into you like a cliché meet-cute ending where all the loose ends become knots and everything makes sense. Then again, if I did meet you in the elevator or downstairs or saw you right before the limo started driving, I know I'd stay. The airport bumped up my travel date and they insisted I take it. Kuran's doing but, what's really the difference? Goodbye is still goodbye.

I've done all that I can to help you with your end goal. Aside from the AVAH, I have a few more requests. Yes, I know, I'm a pain in the butt. However, I feel that these requests may help you.

Please check on Gonkuro at least once a month. He's strange and he'll torment you for a while but, I'm taking Enmei with me and I'm worried he'll go a little strange without interaction. Please accept the hoodie. It's my warmest one. Keep Touya in check. She's losing both Shiki and I. Even now, she seems to be one milk spill from crying. But, I don't think it's just because of the departure. Please stay on friendly terms with Hanabusa and, as much as I can see those eyes rolling, Ruuka. They're a great source of comfort and a great help during dark times. Hanabusa's easy to derail if you don't want to talk about it. Be blunt with Ruuka – she needs the hammer to the head if it doesn't revolve around her. The apartment is yours. Invite whoever you want. Trash it (don't, actually… Sell it first then trash it). It's your home as ever much as it's mine. Your parents are proud of you. I'm proud of you. Don't ever forget that.

I'm sorry that I'm so demanding. And, I meant for this just to be a list of things I wanted you to check on rather than making it sound so final.

One more request. Be happy. Do Karoke with Yori. Eat. And stop telling me that you hate the fact I left with a note like some cheesy ending romance – you love it.

Your Akitty.

P. S. I like you, too.

Zero slid the note under the flower. He wouldn't think of the things he couldn't say. He wouldn't think of the opportunities he could have had. He wouldn't think.

That worked for him… For about thirty seconds. Instinctively, he reached for Kain's pillow, burying his face in it. For the first time, he cursed the cleaning lady, fighting the tears. He wiped his face clear with the back of his hand. Taking the note again, he prioritized what he could do. He dressed again and left the apartment.

A/N: So many inside jokes for me to explore. I'm doing to try to finish this series today so I can go to my new job tomorrow knowing that I have done something productive today. ^.^ And then, I'm going to go watch stupid shows and secretly cry because I hurt the boys.