Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

Sora woke slowly, the feeling of thirst suggesting he'd lost too much blood, though not as bad as it could have been. It took him a few moments to remember staggering home, Kairi…then what? The bed shifted and he felt a warm arm around his waist, something cold under his head, Riku? Were they…in his bed? He forced heavy eyelids open to find that yes, he was half lying on top of Riku, head on a silent chest, so it had to be Kairi's arm around him. And…there was something around his chest…bandages? Had they tended his injuries? He shifted slightly, feeling the pull of stitches, the burn of healing skin and pull of damaged muscles.

"Sora?" Riku breathed, barely audible.

"H're," he managed to slur. He sighed as cold fingers began lightly scratching his scalp and running through his hair.

"Need anything?"

"Th'sty."

A bottle was pressed to his lips, a hand helping him lift his head to drink. Yuk, sports drink, but he stocked them for a reason. He was so tired, head dropping back onto Riku's chest. Why was he so tired?

"Shh, sleep Sora. We're here," Riku murmured, hand moving from his hair down his back.

"L've yo…"

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku stroked Sora's hair and back, relieved he'd woken and been coherent but then he heard the last slurred words as he fell back to sleep and froze. He was exhausted…he didn't know what he was saying…it was just friends love…right? He carefully put his hand over the wound, but there was no excessive heat so hopefully it wasn't becoming infected. So, he wasn't delirious or something.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi sat beside Sora, holding his hand, glad he was feeling warmer now. She'd been terrified yesterday morning when he'd collapsed, when she'd seen all the blood. She was very glad for those first aid courses she'd taken but without Riku…could she have stitched him up? She'd felt shaky enough just giving him the drugs to numb the wound.

She'd heard Sora's slurred confession too, though she didn't think either of them had realised she'd woken when Sora had shifted, worried he was getting worse. There'd always been a closeness between them, before Riku had been turned, and if he hadn't then she wouldn't have been terribly surprised if they'd been dating by the time high school ended.

She reached out to brush a stray strand of hair off his face, smiling when his nose twitched a little in reaction. That was good, that he was reacting, if he didn't react then that would mean things were going very wrong…organ damage, coma, brain damage from lack of oxygenated blood flow… but he'd been awake and coherent if weak.

If Sora loved Riku…and if Riku felt the same then she wouldn't stop them. She loved Riku enough to share that love if that would make him happy. He'd had so much pain and loneliness…Sora had too. Riku didn't have to be as careful with Sora as he did with her, he was a lot more durable, able to match Riku in strength.

She looked up and smiled as Riku walked into the bedroom, his eyes drawn to Sora in concern. "He's getting better," she promised, holding her hand out to him.

Riku walked over to take her hand, then sat beside her. She leant against him, head on his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her waist. "How?" he asked.

"He's getting better, touch him, he's warmer," she encouraged, and Riku reached out to touch the back of the hand Kairi was holding.

He relaxed a bit at feeling the new warmth in Sora's skin.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora opened his eyes to find the room dark, feeling a body pressed either side of him. He shifted and then grimaced, feeling some urgency. He carefully moved, feeling the stitches pull but the pain was already a lot better.

"Sora?" Riku blinked and then his eyes went wide. He sat up and that let Sora carefully start to push himself up, but Riku quickly moved to help him.

"Sorry, need the bathroom," he whispered, not wanting to wake Kairi.

Riku nodded and got up, helping him to his feet, supporting him to the bathroom and then back to the bed. "Okay?" he asked.

"I'm okay," Sora smiled at him, glad he could see so well in the dark. He had to be able to see well in the dark otherwise he'd suck at his job. He let Riku help him back onto the bed, leaning against the headboard instead of lying down. "Help me?" he motioned to the bandages and Riku frowned. "Need to see it, the stitches are pulling."

Riku hesitated but then began carefully unwrapping the bandages from around his body. Sora held still, not flinching when cold skin brushed his own, not showing the slightest hint of pain. Finally, they were off, and Sora reached down to carefully lift blood-stained gauze. Oh…he'd known it was bad, had to be for him to have been so out of it…that was going to scar.

A warm hand rested tentatively on his leg and it was only then he realised he was dressed only in boxers. He fought down a mix of embarrassment and something he really couldn't afford to think of at the moment, not with Riku and his superior senses there. They'd have had to have stripped him down to clean and patch him up and with the bandages going so low pants would have been in the way.

He reached out with his free hand to touch Kairi's, letting her twine their fingers together, ignoring how much it soothed and hurt his heart. With his other hand he carefully probed the wound, it looked weeks old, not days.

"Stitches need to come out," he murmured.

"Already?" Kairi sat up, eyes wide in surprise before she carefully leant over to look. "That's…it's only been three days."

Even Riku's eyes were wide, he might not be human anymore but he had been and Sora knew Riku had split his knee once when they were kids, had needed fifteen stitches and crutches to keep from pulling them when he walked.

"And this is why hospitals are a no-go unless I'm about to literally die," Sora told them even as Riku vanished only to reappear with Sora's medical kit.

He put it on the bed and then glanced up at them, looking a little lost. He hid behind his hair, something he'd mostly stopped doing around them, looking from the kit to Sora's side. He hadn't known what to get so he'd brought the whole thing.

Sora reached in and pulled out the sharp scissors and tweezers. "I can't reach them all properly, but if I show you how?" he asked, and Riku nodded. So, Sora carefully undid four stitches himself before Riku carefully took the equipment from him to finish. "It's normal if there's a little blood," he warned.

He was utterly shocked when Riku leant in and licked at the few drops, biting his lip. He swallowed as Riku licked at the whole wound and then it hit him, Riku was trying to heal him, to lessen the scar. Vampire saliva had some interesting properties to it and while it couldn't have healed the injury since it had been so big, helping now was possible. And then he heard the soft, high pitched, whine coming from Riku and reached to wrap his arms around him. He focused, shifting his energy for Riku who whimpered audibly. He felt the bed shift as Kairi moved, pressing against Riku's back.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi was surprised when Riku began licking the wound, already on its way to being a scar…and the more he licked the more scar-like it became, Riku was helping heal him. And then Sora was reaching out, wrapping his arms around Riku, only then did she hear Riku whimper. She moved, pressing to his back, letting him know they were both there. Sora had been teaching Riku the things his Sire should have, as best he could, but he'd admitted they didn't know everything – after all, they hunted vampires, what vampire in their right mind would give up all their secrets to his kind, even those vampires that had been spared?

She'd been terrified when she saw Sora's wound, when he collapsed on her, but how much scarier must it have been for Riku? Riku had lost every person he'd ever cared for, had lost his Sire without ever knowing them, if he lost one of them…and one day he would. She was human, she'd grow and age and Riku wouldn't. Sora did a dangerous job to keep others safe, one night…he might not come home. And she worried about that for Riku too, that one night he'd go out to 'eat' and not come home.

But with the way Sora's been helping Riku, has gotten him to mess around and play wrestle, the way Sora saved them so effortlessly when they were attacked – he must have seemed almost invincible to Riku. He's been a mess since stitching Sora up, they both have, neither wanting to leave him. She'd had to get Riku to put blankets over the windows since Sora's curtains let in a lot of light and she knew it had been bothering Riku. Sure, he could take daylight, but he shouldn't have to put up with the pain if unneeded.

She pressed a kiss to his throat, hand gently stroking his arm, offering what comfort she could. Kairi glanced up to see the pain and love in Sora's eyes as he tried to comfort Riku. She couldn't see Riku's face, wondered what she'd see in his eyes. How could they be so blind? So, she shifted against Riku, gently nudging him up, closer to Sora's face.

"It's okay," she whispered in his ear. It probably wasn't playing fair since the way Riku was reacting said Sora was doing the energy thing that made him feel more like Riku's Sire, to help calm him down, settle him. Riku's reactions became more instinctual then but it never scared her, if anything it was kind of adorable.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku basked in the feeling of warmth and safety surrounding him, a warm body pressed against his back, a hand stroking his arm, lips caressing his throat. Familiar…safe…loved…too fuzzy to really recognise who it was beyond that. He stared into bright blue eyes…Sire but not Sire…all his fear and worry gone for now. And then there was warmth, lips…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora jerked back, eyes wide, had they…had he…? His eyes shot to Kairi, expecting all kinds of things…except the smug satisfaction on her face. What?

"You're in love with him and he's in love with you," she murmured. "It's okay Sora. You can give him something I can't, you're his equal or more, he doesn't have to be careful with you."

"Both of you," he whispered, and she frowned slightly.

"What?"

"I love both of you," he forced the words out, and her eyes widened.

"Oh."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

That…she hadn't even considered that possibility. Sora was in love with her too? She looked at him again, seeing the hesitance, hope…oh. Why hadn't she realised before? The hope was fading and Kairi took a breath, moving to rest on one elbow, leaning over Riku who was purring softly and looking pretty dazed. Sora's lips were dry but warm, parting as he inhaled in surprise but then he cautiously moved into the kiss. It was very different to kissing Riku but not a bad different.

"Kairi?" Sora breathed her name, eyes wide, the hope back, and she smiled shakily at him.

"I like you Sora, you're my friend. And that was nice…maybe it could be more than friends?" Was she crazy to offer that? What if it didn't become what Sora felt for her?

Riku shifted between them and she looked at him, seeing his eyes focusing on them, a sleepy smile on his face. He reached up for her, and she shifted back down, kissing him softly.

"Back with us?" Sora murmured when they parted, and Riku focused on him.

"You…love us?" Riku asked, still sounding a little sleepy.

She could see the fear and hope in Sora's eyes even as he nodded slowly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku lay on the couch, Sora tucked against his side, Kairi on Sora's other side. Maybe they were both being overprotective, but Sora had really scared them. Things had changed since Sora's injury, but…it was a nice change. Holding Sora was different to holding Kairi, but just as nice. Sora glanced up at him and smiled, so Riku tipped his head down to kiss him softly. The change in their relationship was big, but they were taking it slow, just like he had with Kairi. Sora had no issues at all with…quirks being a vampire gave him, which made sense. He always knew when to back off if needed, Kairi had worked it out quickly enough but Sora knew instantly.

Sora hadn't been out hunting since he was hurt and Riku was dreading when he had to. What…what would happen if he got hurt again? Or worse? Would he just not come home one night? Then again, Riku knew he took the same risk since he wasn't linked to any of the other vampires in the city. And there was the sickening chance…they could both die out there and leave Kairi all alone. She knew it too; he'd seen the way she watched them since the truth came out.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora slid his sword into the sheath hidden by his jacket and then looked up to see Riku watching him, eyes following the weapons. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, reaching for his hand. He'd been terrified that night but surely by now he knew Sora would never hurt him. He had to.

Riku took his hand and Sora carefully drew him into his room, wrapping his arms around his waist. Riku leant his forehead against his, closing his eyes, breathing deep, taking in his scent, the scent of his weapons. "Love you," Riku whispered.

Sora's heart raced at the admission, so far, he'd been the only one to say it. He knew Kairi didn't love him, not like that, not yet. He hadn't been sure if Riku did or not but he did. He reached up, running his fingers through silvery hair, gently tugging, and Riku let him, kissing him. Riku's hands carefully slid under his jacket, wary of the weapons. Sora's hands were on his shoulders for balance, wishing he'd gotten that last stupid growth spurt. He thought he knew what was up with the sudden affection, Riku was affectionate but not like this usually.

"I'll be careful," he promised when he pulled back for breath, he could hold his breath longer than normal but he still did need to breath unlike Riku.

Riku nodded but didn't pull away, shifting almost nervously.

"Riku?"

"We…" he licked his lips, another sign of his nerves, and Sora was getting worried. Riku was getting better at talking to them but he struggled. "Together?"

Sora blinked and then realised what he was asking. "You want to come with me?" he asked, just to be sure, and Riku nodded hesitantly. Would that work? But…he knew Riku's feeding schedule. "You need to hunt Riku."

He nodded, wary but also kind of hopeful.

"You want…Riku…" he'd purposely kept away. Yes, he'd seen the one-time Riku had led those guys into thinking he was a lost kid but he'd left to handle some vampires. And…oh, Riku wanted him to see…because if anything would get between them, it would be seeing Riku act as a real vampire. "You're sure?" he asked gently, and Riku nodded, trying to look firm but Sora could see how nervous he was. "Okay."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku walked down the street, hands in his pockets, acting like a lost teenager trying not to be scared. He knew Sora was somewhere above him, following but despite how well he knew his scent and the sound of his heartbeat…he couldn't find him. He felt someone though…a steady heartbeat and the scent of anticipation, good.

He was scared, scared that seeing him kill would change things. Would Sora see him as a threat now? Knowing he killed and seeing it were two very different things after all. But he had to do this, before things between them went any further, if his heart was going to be broken…if Sora was to see him as a monster, maybe even…better now than later.

He wandered into an alley, wishing there was some less cliched way to do things. A hooded figure followed him in, knife in hand. Not in the mood to listen to the normal threats, he moved. Riku slammed the mans' wrist into the wall, making him drop the knife even as he pushed his head to the side and sank his fangs into the warm flesh. His hand was over the man's mouth to keep him quiet as he drank.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi sat on the couch, pillow in her lap and tv on low. She hated that she wasn't with them but she understood why, she did. She would be a liability. Riku had made it clear, being near him on the hunt was dangerous. He'd never hurt her under normal circumstances but hunting was different. And she couldn't go with Sora because he couldn't hide her as well, she'd reveal Sora's presence immediately.

The bonding time would be good for them. She'd already had a date with Sora, they'd gone out to lunch the other day. This would be a good date for them, right? Sora wouldn't treat Riku differently after seeing… how would she react to seeing it?

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora watched Riku blur into action, knocking the knife away before biting. He stared as Riku held the man against the bricks, head forced to the side and hand over his mouth. Riku latched on and Sora knew he was drinking, watching as the man slowly stopped struggling, going pale. Riku eventually raised his head, letting the body drop, and Sora saw the red on his lips even as Riku licked at them. He just stared at the body, shoulders rigid…refusing to look up.

He leapt down to the ground, landing quietly, carefully pulling back the veil that kept him hidden from vampires, seeing Riku tense even more. Sora walked towards him, and then carefully put his hand on the rigid shoulder, feeling the slight tremble.

"You okay?" he asked softly, ready to move if Riku went for him. He wouldn't blame Riku if he did, the instincts would be right at the surface right now, harder to control. "Riku?"

Riku slowly turned to look at him and the fear there hurt.

"Hey, it's okay." He moved his hand from his shoulder to his cheek and then he leant up and kissed Riku, tasting the blood from his meal and not caring. Wasn't the first time he'd ever ended up tasting blood, often his own in a fight from a cut cheek.

Riku growled and then Sora was pulled in tight against his body, Riku's arms around him, the kiss becoming wilder. Sora ran his hands up and down Riku's back, trying to sooth him, not wanting things to get more heated, not where they were and not when Riku was running on instinct the way he was. Sora pulled his mouth away, breathing heavily. Riku whined and went for another kiss, Sora turning his head to kiss his cheek.

"It's okay, I'm here," he whispered, still stroking his back. "Not leaving you, ever," Sora swore.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sound filtered in, the warmth of a body pressed against his, and he felt himself trembling slightly.

"ever," that was Sora's voice.

He blinked and realised he was wrapped tight around Sora, able to feel the press of weapons under his clothes…hunting, he'd fed, then…Sora. Oh! He loosened his grip, hearing the soft whine coming from his throat. He swallowed, still able to taste blood but also…Sora. He forced himself to pull back a little, shocked to see a slight smear of blood at the corner of Sora's mouth. He reached up and Sora didn't flinch at all, letting him wipe it off.

"Back with me?" Sora asked, and Riku nodded slowly.

"Did…did I…" he looked Sora over.

"Hey, you didn't raise a fang or claw to me," Sora promised, his hands rubbing up and down Riku's back and it felt nice. "Just a bit more enthusiastic in the kissing than you normally let yourself get."

"The blood?"

"From your meal unless you cut yourself on a fang."

Riku felt frozen, Sora had…it was…he had kissed him and didn't look at all disgusted at the blood. "But…"

"Riku," Sora murmured and then he was kissing him again. "It's just blood, not like either of us can catch anything from it. I've swallowed my own often enough, it doesn't bother me." Another kiss, and Riku found himself beginning to relax. "This changes nothing Riku, I've always known what you have to do and you're a lot quicker and kinder about it than most vampires. Though…wouldn't it be easier to just, make them hold still?"

Riku shook his head. "I…I can't," he whispered. No, he couldn't do that, it had been hard enough managing that light touch to make Kairi think he hadn't been at the library.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi glanced at the clock, feeling sleep pulling at her, but she refused to give in. She would be awake and waiting when they came home, she would be.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

There was something in the way that Riku denied using that ability that had rage coiling in his gut, but he pushed it down to keep moving, making sure Riku was managing. Turning someone was slower than just draining them, Riku's method wouldn't work under those circumstances… he hated thinking of how Riku had been turned but the few clues he had made him feel sick. He reached for Riku's hand, tangling their fingers together even as he turned to head for home. Dawn was close enough now and it'd been a dead night, thankfully. He'd terrified Riku when he'd seen him fighting, he didn't need to see it again, even though he'd been willing to go with him.

He smiled when he saw Kairi fast asleep on the couch, obviously having tried to stay up and wait for them. He spotted the soft smile on Riku's face even as he locked the front door behind them. Riku hesitated, looking from Sora to Kairi, but Sora waved him on so Riku carefully lifted her from the couch and carried her to her room.

Sora went to his own to strip off his weapons and change into shorts and t-shirt for sleeping. Sensing Riku was still upstairs, he headed for Kairi's room, finding Riku watching her sleep. He stepped up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Okay?"

Riku nodded in response.

"Come on, we should both get some sleep." He gently tugged Riku from the room, closing the door. He kissed Riku's cheek and moved to his own room.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi laughed, squealing as she tried to get away, Sora laughing as he held her down. Riku's cold hands were under her shirt, tickling. She could feel the way he held back, always so cautious of hurting her but he didn't hold back as much when Sora was there, like he knew Sora would make sure nothing happened. And she hated that he felt it was necessary, she knew Riku would never hurt her.

She wriggled the right way and Sora let go, letting her reach up to Riku, kissing him. Riku kissed back, leaning a little weight on her. She tugged him closer; she wasn't that delicate! She heard Sora chuckle, his body vibrating with it even as he shifted so she was leaning on him. Was there anywhere better than sandwiched between them? For the first time since they'd started dating, things started getting heavier which was really great! And when Riku growled softly, Sora tapped her hand in the little code they'd come up with to let her know he was in control, just a little more vampy than normal.

She relaxed totally, running her fingers through his hair, letting him do whatever he wanted. She trusted him. So, when he tugged at her shirt, she moved enough to let it be pulled off, further than they'd ever gone before but she was more than ready if he was. Riku's touch was still gentle though firmer than normal, Sora's hands providing a very interesting contrast as he stroked her sides.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku should stop, he really should stop, but looking in soft blue eyes and seeing only acceptance and love…he couldn't stop himself as he slipped her shirt off as carefully as he could, fighting back another possessive growl. His hands brushed Sora's but there was no feeling of threat or anything like that…all his. He let one hand move to Sora's arm, stroking warm skin as he kept touching Kairi. There was no fear in either of them, even when Riku could feel his fangs pressing against his lips. He kissed her again and there was no hesitation when she felt his fangs either, kissing along her jaw, towards her throat. He felt Sora squeeze his hand and squeezed back, he was in control, he would never bite Kairi. He kept moving lower rather than linger somewhere so tempting.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora leant back against the tree, enjoying the sunlight, Riku beside him but slightly further around to stay more in the shade and Kairi was leaning against Sora's chest. He had never imagined he could be so happy and all it had taken was being badly injured. Kairi seemed quite comfortable with all three of them dating now and he thought it was more than her liking him. Surely if it was only like then she wouldn't have been comfortable using him as a pillow the other week while Riku took her shirt off.

Things were going so well…he was kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop really. No, he wasn't going to think that way, he wasn't.

He pressed a soft kiss to Kairi's head and she looked up at him, smiling softly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi hummed softly to herself as she shelved some more books. She liked her job, liked contributing at home. She had no clue where Sora and Riku got their money from, she guessed Sora got paid somehow for his work, maybe Riku had an inheritance? It felt rude to ask. She'd never imagined she could be so happy – no pressure from her parents when they remembered she existed, nothing but Riku and Sora. She'd been with Riku for almost a year now and Sora for eight months and it just felt…right, natural.

Sure, she hated that Sora was gone nearly every night, Riku often with him, hated that one night…but there'd been nothing like that one injury again. She did her best to make sure they had as much normality as possible; things like movie nights and going on dates, even just chores around the house. She knew Sora knew what she was doing but he helped and it'd worked, Riku was far more well-adjusted now than he had been. He talked now, he still had times when it was difficult, but most days he'd talk with them even if never loudly. She didn't get it, Riku sounded like Riku, but Sora said it would have been a very noticeable change back home, an unexplainable one. So Riku had trained himself not to speak to keep his secret but now it didn't matter, they were in a different country where no one had known him as a human.

The news channel suddenly came on and she straightened up, staring in shock at the announcement. No…

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku held Kairi as she cried, running his hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. Ever since they'd left…the war had just been so far away and it had been easy to just not think about it. Not like he'd left anyone behind. But Kairi had, no matter how non-existent the relationship with her parents was. Plus school friends…Selphie and others?

He'd never thought…wars happened and eventually peace was declared, not this. Why? How could it have gone so far?

He looked up as the door opened and Sora slipped inside, frowning, so he'd likely already heard. "Your mum?" he whispered.

"Left ages ago," Sora answered as he moved to sit beside him, one hand on his knee and the other on Kairi.

That was good, Sora's brother had long left as well. Still, he'd had friends at school just like Kairi. And Riku…he'd had friends there once too…Tidus, Waka…all the guys he played sports with… all gone now. Their home was gone.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

There was no memorial, nothing, their home was gone and no one was publicly mourning. The war was over, no one even claiming the land, for now. Defences had been shored up but there was no further fighting, no one wanted to start a war that could drag the whole world in after all. But there was tension, after all once you destroyed one country why not take another? But if they tried, everyone would band together against them and they seemed to realise it.

So, the trio held their own memorial, for Kairi's family and the friends who hadn't gotten out. Sora had done some digging and there was hope that some of their school mates had managed to do what they had, to get out, but they had no way to confirm it.

Sora gently set the wreath they'd bought on the water while Kairi lit candles and Riku set out the copy of the yearbook. They could have used the original but now it was one of the very last copies left, one very small link back to those now dead, so they'd had it copied. They floated everything on the small lake and then Sora tossed the small object he was holding, setting it all alight. Sometimes hunting supplies could come in handy for other reasons.

He wished they could have done more, gotten people out, something. He knew the remaining hunters had made it out, that they'd smuggled some civilians out. But still….one million people just…gone.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku froze, unable to help it, seeing it in slow motion. Even as Sora hit the pavement…he couldn't move. Sora fell…and he didn't get back up.

"NO!" he screamed, it was him, his voice. And finally, he moved.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi looked up and then froze as Riku practically kicked the door down, a bloody…too still form in his arms. No…not again. She scrambled up and to the room they'd set up as a clinic for both Sora and Riku. It was stocked with everything they could need for whichever was injured. She could just go to the doctor or hospital, they couldn't.

Her hands were shaking as she pulled out the supplies – suture kit, bags of Sora's blood they'd stored since she wasn't a match if he needed a transfusion, rolls and rolls of bandages, gauze, antiseptic… strictly speaking the disinfectant wasn't needed but if he was badly hurt then the less his body had to deal with the better, easier to kill the possibility of an infection that make his crazy immune system deal with it.

Riku carefully set Sora down on the bed and Kairi fought the urge to throw up. He…he was soaked in blood…chest barely moving. Riku moved him carefully, pulling his jacket off and she forced herself to move, to help strip Sora of his weapons and then his remaining clothing. Something…vampire claws…from the bottom of his throat down to his pelvis…too deep.

She threw the damp gauze at Riku to try and clean the wounds, turning for the blood bags…they had to replace what he was losing and fast. Riku grabbed the suturing kit and injected the anaesthetic before getting to work, for once his hands were shaking.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku stared at Sora, it'd been hours but he looked no better. He was almost as pale as Riku, barely breathing, his pulse way too slow, his body cold…they'd already given him two of the bags of blood, that should be enough, more than enough with Sora's healing.

He looked up, hearing Kairi doing something, and realised she had Sora's phone, was dialling someone. Who? Another hunter?

"Cloud?" she asked hesitantly, and Riku relaxed a little, that was Sora's brother…half-brother…he wasn't sure really. But he knew about Riku and Kairi, so that would be fine.

He didn't listen as the two talked, reaching to take a clammy hand in his. It was his fault, he'd gotten jumped when alone and then Sora had appeared, he must have sensed the fight since they hadn't been together. That hit…had been meant for him, Sora might be die…

"Riku!" Kairi's voice snapped him out of the downward spiral even as she shoved Sora's phone towards. "Cloud knows something."

"H…hello?" he'd never spoken with the older hunter, and despite Sora assuring him that Cloud accepted his presence…well.

"Riku," the voice was calm, steady, and it helped.

"I…it's my fault," he choked out. "It should be me." He'd be dead if it had been…he'd seen Sora's heart as he stitched him! Doubted the stitches were anywhere near enough.

"Breath Riku. I need you to do exactly what I tell you to if you want Sora to live."

"Okay," he whispered.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes," there was no doubt anymore, he loved them both.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi watched, heart in her throat, as Riku used the phone to show Cloud just how much damage had been done to Sora. They'd done everything they could, calling Cloud was a last ditch…and then she watched as Riku gave everything he could to keep Sora with them. She prayed it would work because she loved them both so dearly. They couldn't lose Sora.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora held the container, staring at the contents. Arms wrapped around him and he leant back into the taller body.

"I'm sorry," Riku choked out, and Sora twisted in his embrace, looking up at him.

"I chose to take the hit," he murmured. "I knew the risk; knew I had a chance to make it but it would kill you." He lifted the container and smiled shakily. "Bottoms up." He put it to his lips and tipped it back, the thick red liquid, warmed, sliding into his mouth. Sora moaned, he couldn't help it, lapping at the container to get every last drop. His teeth ached and it tasted so good…

"It's okay, you're okay, first time's overwhelming," Riku was murmuring, hands running up and down his arms and sides.

Sora blinked to find Riku carefully taking the empty container from him. "That…"

"With me?" Riku asked gently, and Sora nodded.

He understood the reason for the question, fledglings tended to lose it over blood, especially the first time. But he was only kind of a fledgling. He was a hybrid, not quite a vampire but not quite a hunter either, not anymore. He didn't know where or how Cloud had found the information that had saved him, but he was grateful he'd trusted Riku enough to share it.

He licked a little blood from his lips and Riku moaned at the sight before pulling him into a hungry kiss, fangs clashing.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku rested his head over her heart, listening to the steady beat, trying to let it sooth him. Sora's…nope, not thinking about that at the moment. Both of them had told him it wasn't his fault, Sora was happy to be 'alive', so why did he still feel guilty. He wrapped his arms around her and she stroked his hair, humming softly. Sora was asleep in his room, he was still sleeping a lot, still recovering.

He loved them both, so much. He hated keeping them separate but he knew it'd kill them both if there was an accident, if Kairi was hurt or worse. He wished Kairi was as strong and durable as they were…but he'd also never wish their 'life' on her either. But…would she one day ask for it? If she did, could he do it? Could he take her life if it would mean forever together?

He lifted up, moving to kiss her, feeling her smile as she kissed back.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi curled into Sora's side, missing his warmth. He wasn't as cold as Riku but he was a lot colder than he had been. She didn't care, all that mattered was that he was still with them, no matter how changed. And it hadn't changed who Sora was, he was still the same person. She smiled as she felt his fingers run through her hair, no claws, he was getting better at controlling that.

She shifted, turning just enough to press a soft kiss to his jaw and he looked down at her, smiling softly. Tomorrow night, Riku would take him hunting for the first time and it terrified her. The last time they'd left…

"Love you," he murmured, his voice smoother, lighter somehow. It wasn't a massive change but it was noticeable. No wonder Riku had spent years mute.

"Love you too," she smiled at him.

The couch dipped slightly as Riku joined them, hair damp from his shower. He tugged her into a playful kiss that she happily returned, slipping her hands under his shirt. She was glad that she could finally be with both of them again, for the first three weeks Riku had kept Sora away from her, just to be safe. But just like she knew Riku would never hurt her, she knew Sora wouldn't. Maybe the control he'd learnt as a hunter had helped him control his new nature as well.

Sora's new state had left Riku guilt riddled for the first few weeks, he'd been blaming himself for his injuries and then for changing him without asking. Sora still had a pulse, though very slow, still showed some signs of life, and he'd not been impressed at all with Riku's guilt. For which she was very glad – she hadn't been able to get through to Riku on it alone. She'd done her best but Riku had been a mess until Sora had finished healing and woken. It had taken a lot longer than a simple turning.

She laughed as cold fingers tickled her sides, wriggling to get away and almost managing until Sora joined in.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku couldn't help feeling on edge as they made their way through the city, the last time they'd been out together…no, it would be fine. He reached for Sora's hand and they slipped through the shadows, heading into the nastier sections, searching for prey.

Watching Sora feed for the first time…he was incredible and so much neater than he'd been when first turned. Sora let the body drop and turned to him, eyes bright, and Riku couldn't help kissing him. When they parted, Sora was panting slightly but grinning. Riku was relieved he wasn't overcome by guilt or anything for killing the man. He'd made sure they found the worst of the worst for Sora's first hunt, hoping for just this reaction.

"Your turn," Sora murmured, and Riku nodded, he needed to hunt too.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora lay on his side on the bed, eyes wide as he watched. He winced as a fang cut into his lip, licking the blood away and forcing himself to push the fangs back. This was why he was on the other side of the bed to them, could feel part of Riku's attention on him. Since waking, so much was different. He had a lot more respect and awe for Riku managing alone and he wasn't even fully a vampire!

He watched as the last of their clothing was removed, studying their bodies as the kissed and touched. He could hear Kairi's heart racing, her breathing heavier. His senses had always been beyond human but now…it scared him just how much he was aware of, more than Riku even. Riku knew it too but it didn't seem to bother him, not in the way Sora thought it might. No, Riku was proud of him, even if the bond between sire and fledgling was really messed up between them…because Sora had been filling that role for Riku and now Riku was technically his, it made it feel more like…siblings…but not, because that would just be too weird even for him. It made things more balanced between them which they both liked.

He stopped breathing as he watched Riku carefully move over her, trembling as he entered her for the first time. Oh…they were beautiful together, Riku obviously struggling to hold back but Kairi completely trusting beneath him.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Riku set the last box down, glad to feel the daylight fading. They were moving, between him and now Sora it was safer to not stay in one place for too long, even a large city. Somehow, the other hunters didn't know what Sora had become, was his brother somehow covering for him? He felt sad to leave the house that had become their home, the place where all their secrets had been revealed…the home where Sora had nearly died.

Tomorrow, they would be in a new house in a new city…and Kairi would die. She refused to remain human when they were not. He was terrified, it would be very different to changing Sora. There were so many ways it could go wrong…

And then warm arms wrapped around him and he looked down into her smiling face. If there was a chance to keep Kairi with them forever, how could he not try? "I love you," he murmured, and her smile widened.

"I love you Riku."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

They watched the group of gang members below, seeing them heading for a young couple and their child. Sora and Riku squeezed her hands and she nodded, taking a deep, unneeded breath. With one last glance at them, she stepped off the ledge, ready to hunt.

The End