A/N: Finally, a new chapter. An entire season has passed and, while I'm trying to balance work, life and school (again), I really wanted to write this. It's been the long coming chapter. I'll try not to be too graphic with it and only give the basics.

Kain never wanted to sleep when expected to. To him, the daylight called as much as the moonlight. He'd stay up and play with Gonkuro when he was younger, against his parent's instructions. As an adult, it meant lying in wake, recounting past sins and watching over the smaller man that shared his bed.

Lee had been emphatically clingy with him, the cravings of a long-term addict imprisoning Kain. Always a pleaser, his deep marks were easy to trace in the darkened room. The irregularly slow heartbeat pounded in Kain's ears as he remained motionless, supporting himself on one arm. He lowered his head for the fifteenth time, cursing himself for being so weak. Yet, as the sun peered through the curtain, it illuminated the new bites.

Carefully, he tilted Lee's head, examining the marks. He had seen them before. They coated that boy's neck, his wrists. Kiryuu's neck…

"They had consent." Kiryuu had assured Kain, his tired and annoyed expression darkening every time Kain rested his hand on one of them, tracing the faint scar…

Kain pushed the thought away, tried closing his eyes. All he could hear was the ticking of the clock, Lee's breaths, traffic, the faint humming of the hall light. His tongue ran over his teeth continuously, the points still coated in blood. When he opened them again, he knew his eyes were red.

He bit his own wrist once he had left the bedroom, sure that Lee would wake to any indication of him feeding. More focused, he pulled out his phone. The older picked up after the seventh ring. "Master Kain."

"I need a favor."

"Surveillance?"

"Interrogation."

Gonkuro groaned, every bone in his body creaking. Kain bit his lip, suddenly wondering if this were a good idea. "How long do I have?"

"A little less than eighteen hours."

The other huffed. "That's not long enough. Even with someone with my skills –"

"Then bring Enmei."

"As much as I trust my son, he's untested."

"I can always ask Sakura."

The old man grumbled. "What am I looking for?"

"Not what. Whom."

"Whom?" He could almost see Gonkuro scratch the back of his head. "Description?"

"Male. Early twenties. Reasonably attractive. Human. Bite marks. Probably in the company of another human and a vampire. Vampire will be dominant."

"Mmm…"

"Mmm?" Kain tapped his foot anxiously.

"Where did you meet this fine fellow?"

"I haven't met him."

"You just want to know about him?"

Kain hid the smile from his voice. "Stop your teasing."

"Fine, fine. Though, your Master Kiryuu won't be very happy."

The smile fell. "No, he won't. But, he's never happy when it has to do with him."

Silence. Kain knew Gonkuro looked like a fish gaping for breath. "What does it have to do with him?"

"I don't know." The door behind Gonkuro slammed. "You know, you're a lot faster when you want to be."

"Master Kain, I'll ask again – where."

"… You know where Kitashi held his business meetings and Mayoko held her charity events?"

"Yes."

"About three blocks south of Mayoko's and nine east from Kitashi's."

"… Near that small café?"

"No, other side of the street."

"Mm…"

Kain hated the noncommittal comments. "Take Enmei with you."

"He'll just slow me down." Click. The conversation ended abruptly. Still, Kain couldn't help the relieved smile on his face. At least I know he cares about him, too.

"You always call Gonkuro at this hour?" Kain whipped around, finding Shiki standing against the kitchen counter. Instinctively, he wiped his mouth, unable to meet the others eyes. The brunette scoffed. "You keep your habits to yourself. I won't go telling big brother… Little brother? Whatever Aidou is to you."

"Then, why are you here?" At Shiki's silence, Kain's mind had an opportunity to bring the other problems to the surface. "How did you know we were here? I specifically chose this area because no one would –"

"So you could hide the body when you drained him without anyone being the wiser." Shiki snickered at Kain's non answer. "Like I said, I won't go telling big brother. Whatever monster you want to become, that's your problem. I won't interfere."

"It's not like –"

"Kain… I don't care." He tried a nonchalant smile, quickly fading into contemplative thought. Kain's expression softened.

"No, you've only ever cared about Ichijou." Shiki crossed his arms over his chest. Reading the situation, Kain nodded to himself. "He won't hear about… What happened in the manor."

"It meant nothing to me." With a defeated sigh, he muttered to himself. "Nothing means nothing."

"O…kay?" He stood next to Shiki and lowered his voice. He noted the hint of alcohol on his breath. "Do you want to talk?"

For a moment, Shiki was quiet. Only the ghost of a nod set Kain to start dialing Touya. Instinctively, the brunette hung up mid-ring. Kain crossed over his arms, studying the carpet and keeping Shiki in his peripheral. "Is it about Kiryuu and Ichijou?"

The reaction was slower than Kain anticipated. Yet again, a small nod. "Their relationship?"

Again, another nod. Silence. Shiki broke it this time. "Do you love him?"

His standardized answer vocalized. "What is love but infatuation?"

"Wow… Romantic."

"I've put romance on the side for him."

"Why?"

"I figure it's the same reason why you're not with Ichijou."

"You're afraid of giving him the power to destroy you?"

"No… Though, I'm guessing he doesn't know how you feel."

"He knows enough."

"Have you said I love you to him?"

"No."

"Then, why do you expect him to know?"

No answer. Shiki exhaled. "What about your situation with Kiryuu?"

"A little the same, a little different. Mostly different."

"It could be the same… If we tore them apart."

Kain shook his head. "It's not what Kiryuu wants."

"Since when do you do what Kiryuu wants?" Kain was silent. "So, what's his plan?"

"What it's always been: find Lady Yuuki."

"And, that's a good idea because…?"

"They were family. Possibly the only family Kiryuu still feels he has. I'd be an asshole to get in the way of that." Kain didn't know if that was actually the end game. The least I can do is make sure no one interferes with it.

Shiki nodded to himself. "Then… How about a deal instead?"

"What's the deal?"

"If he stays away from Takuma, I can figure out how to get him close to Lady Yuuki."

"Isn't this a deal you should be making with him?"

"He isn't likely to talk to me and has no reason to trust me. But, if it comes from you…"

Kain ran a hand through his hair. If it'd make him happy… "I'll pass the message along."

Gonkuro was never late. Well, never before this moment. Kain waited on the elaborate steps of Kain Enterprises, trying his best not to pick at his lip or bounce his leg. A quarter past their meeting time, Kain was pacing back and forth. Finally, after forty-five minutes, the butler hobbled his way up the steps to the very agitated vampire. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I'm an old man, you know." He grinned, weary from the trek. Immediately, he found a bench. Kain felt the pang of guilt as he sat next to him.

"What did you find?"

"… It'd be better if Master Kiryuu told you."

"He won't tell me."

"That's his choice."

"But –"

"I saw on the security tapes Master Shiki entered the premises. Should I prepare to move Lee?"

Kain sighed, shaking his head. "Quid pro quo?"

"Call it what you will."

"He's not interested in Lee…" He lowered his head. "Or me."

"Did you want him to be?"

"It's like… Finally having closure."

"Surely, that's not all you talked about."

"He asked if I love Kiryuu."

"Naturally." Kain glared at him. "What else?"

"He has an idea of how to get Kiryuu closer to his goal."

"I don't know if that's a good thing." Meeting Kain's inquisitive gaze, Gonkuro shrugged. "He seems to be wavering in his goal."

"Because of the propaganda Lord Kaname pumps out."

"Maybe."

"All right, all-knowing man. Spill."

"You're familiar with Ichijou's less favorable works, yes?" Kain nodded. "The boy works there."

"As… A bed buddy?"

"Bed buddy, personal feeder…" Kain shuddered, covering his mouth. Gonkuro nodded.

"Is that…"

"Yes. They were coworkers." This time, Kain's hand clenched into a fist.

"It's bad enough that the place is still running but…"

"That's not all I found."
"What? You're going to tell me that he was a particular buddy?"

"Hey, what do you know. You guessed it."

Kain's teeth clenched. Gonkuro rested his hand on his friends shoulder. "Who."

"You know."

"… If it's who I think it is…"

"It is."

Souen had outdone herself. The Kuran's expansive ballroom glittered, the floors polished to such a perfection that it almost mirrored the decorated ceiling. Kain found his spot against a wall in behind a pillar, almost unseen by any. The other guests had gathered in the area, falling into idle gossip as they waited for their obliging hosts to arrive. Despite Kain's desire to stare straight ahead and ignore the activities surrounding him, his eyes fell to the silver-head. Kiryuu stood silently next to Ichijou with the others arm around him. Kain sorely wanted to cross the room and punch the blonde, the memory of Gonkuro's words echoing in his mind.

"Are you alright?" Touya asked for the millionth time, handing him a full drink. In her eyes reflection, he could see the gritted teeth, the slight sneer.

"I'm fine." He growled, his gaze returning to Kiryuu.

"You and Zero-kun fighting?"

"No."

"Ah. I got it."

"No, you don't."

It was as if he hadn't spoken. "Not really your scene – creating drama. Though, I could get behind it. Especially if you whisk Zero-kun into the sunset –"

"Touya, shut up."

"Did I hit a nerve?"

"You don't know…" Kain trailed off, lowering his head. No, it wouldn't be the kind of thing Kiryuu would want to share.

"Know what?"

"That you're an irritating little twerp."

Touya gasped and hit his arm, the smile betraying her next words. "That's so mean, Kain! Apologize."

Annoyed, Kain turned to her and accepted his drink. The smile had disappeared from her face as he downed the drink. "Akatsuki…"

"I'm fine." As if on cue to prove him wrong, the glass broke in his hand.

"… You're drink says otherwise."

"… Great."

"Seriously, Akitty."

"It's nothing." Touya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. He could make out the small glimmer of a light bulb over her head. "No."

"You didn't even hear –"

"Don't need to. It's a bad idea."

"… You're a bad idea."

"What…" He laughed despite himself.

"Just hear it."

"If you give me your drink."

Pouting, she handed him the drink. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat disappointed of her lack of protest. "Go ask him to dance."

"You're drunk."

"Can't be – you're drinking my drink."

"Fu…" Kain exhaled loudly. "So infuriating."

"Yeah, and? Go."

"There's no music playing."

"Details, details. Let me worry about them."

"And, he'll say no."

"How can you be sure?" She nudged him slightly. "Just go ask."

Though he sighed like an overly dramatic teenager, Kain's expression softened as he approached the other. Though Ichijo's arm tightened around the smaller frame, Kain's gaze didn't leave Kiryuu's face as he held out his hand. "May I?"

"It's your party. Kind of have to." He wormed his way out of the blondes grasp and into Kain's. Their movements were instantaneous. "Touya put you up to this, didn't she?"

"Doesn't she always?"

"Meddlesome."

"Mm. Someone needs to have a word with her."

"I vote Yori."

"I don't know if that'd work. Wakaba seems to encourage her."

"True. I guess that narrows it down to you or me."

"She might listen to you." Kiryuu scoffed, shaking his head. Kain swallowed. "Don't think that I didn't want to –"

"I know. Or you would have stuck your feet in the ground and acted like a defiant toddler."

"I do not." Kiryuu shook his head. "Okay, I do. A little."

"I'll blame D… Aidou."

"Trying to stop calling him Dad?"

"I accidentally called Master 'Gramps' at the Association…" Kain snickered as Kiryuu smacked his arm. "It's not funny."

"How fast did you have to run?"

"I'm living on the lam. New identity."

"Bet Kaito's laughing his head off."

"Course he is. It'll be his favourite story until he makes the same mistake."

"Yagari won't forgive Kaito if he does it."

"He'll barely forgive me."

They fell into silence, focusing on their footing. Kain squeezed Kiryuu's hand gently, barely hearing the third verse. "If I had it my way, I would have spent more –"

"Don't."

"Don't?"

"Don't tell me what you would have. You're leaving and we don't know for how long so…"

"… Treating me like I'm dead?"

"It's easier."

"Fair." Still, the hurt spread across Kain's body like a cold aftershock. That was evident of how he stepped away once the song ended, curtly bowing. It was like a mantra at this point. I should know to play the role and nothing more. He squeezed his eyes shut just in time to hear the polite clapping. When he reopened them, they narrowed at Kaname. Had Touya not pulled him into a meaningless conversation, she and every other loyal vampire would have torn him to shreds. Even as he answered cordially, his eyes never left Kaname's frame.

Only four – possibly five, he'd later correct – noticed his fascination. The first was Lady Yuuki. Or, perhaps, she was one of the last but, by proximity, Kain noticed her expression shift. The usual bubbly personality disappeared into alarm and confusion. She still forced a small smile on her face, reserving the concern whenever she chanced a glance at Kain.

Touya was aware of the shift in Kain's attentions, continuously trying to turn them elsewhere. She had proven to be slightly successful but, the worry was etched on her face.

The last to notice were simultaneous. Though they were closer to Kiryuu, both Aidou and Souen exchanged glances, muttering amongst themselves. Kain knew none of those who acknowledged the shift would be able to alleviate it. Kaname, still oblivious, stretched his arms like a great showman. "Welcome, all. I do apologize for our tardiness."

"It's forgiven." Souen answered immediately, lowering her head. Aidou smiled at the new comer, his eyes shifting nervously towards his cousin.

"It never starts until all honored parties have arrived."

"Thank you for your hospitality." Lady Yuuki chimed, clutching onto Kaname's arm. Her nails digging into his skin must have been a tip off. Kaname shifted gears, turning his head towards Kain.

"Tonight is about one of my most trusted men leaving yet again to further our advancements."

The anxiety stirred in his stomach. Under normal circumstances, Kain would have put the onus on the Kurans, insisting it was because of their benevolence. He'd only allow himself to lower his head, hoping it would ease some of it though, his hands clenched into fists. Kain only knew he had to confront Kaname. He sought Kiryuu's frame, gathering the strength as they started making the rounds. Kiryuu studied Yuuki from afar, his expression almost blank. Kain read it as a yearning. He could taste the blood filling his mouth, unaware that he had bit down on his cheek. Thirteen steps. Ten. Five. "Lord Kaname."

Somehow, his voice was even. Though he desperately wanted to meet his superior's eye as the other spun around, Kain couldn't lift them from the floor. "I seek a private audience."

Kaname nodded once, leading Kain away from the party, past the grand staircase, through the French doors and onto a balcony long forgotten. Only Souen had tried to step in Kain's way, pulled from him by Aidou.

"I assume this is about plan B or a clarification." Kain shook his head, trying to frame the words. As though he hadn't objected, Kaname started. "Once you can link the major cities with Kain –"

"This is about your time spent in Ichijou's… in Fantaji." He rushed the words, trying to keep his voice even. Kaname stared at him. "In particular, who you –"

"What I do and who I do is none of anyone's business."

Kain wasn't sure how he had the courage to continue. "When it concerns someone I love –"

"Love?" Kaname scoffed. "You were sure you loved Souen. Sure you loved Shiki."

"Kiryuu is different."

"Kiryuu is an animal that would feed you to the wolves if it meant meeting his goal."

"Don't talk –"

"Don't act like you know him better."

"I have a better understanding –"

"Does he know of your habits? What you do with your human toy?" Kaname stepped forward, his eyes flickering in the candlelight, changing. "I've turned a blind eye to it."

Kain stepped back, finding himself against the balustrade. Defiantly, he met the Pureblood's eye. "Doesn't change much."

"You're suicidal?" Kaname lifted his hand, his fingers more like claws.

Looking back for Kain, it was as if the world sped up the moment to get as much of the unpleasantness out of the way and leaving him empty. He remembered Kaname's hand, prepared for the self-righteous speech. It had impaled him in a different way than Kain expected. Gonkuro fell backward, leaning against his chest, the open eyes, the unsettled gasping. Kain fell to his knees, holding the older up. Recognition didn't take hold. Reality was skewed. All the reasons Kain tried to come up with didn't excuse his reaction. The blood lust took hold.

A/N: BABY KAIN D: What did I do? Honestly, not surprising coming from my brain. It'll probably face a rewrite cause I wasn't sure how much I should innuendo and how much I should have included. If there's too many questions as to what happened, I'll rewrite it to include a bit more but, I don't want to be graphic with this.