A/N: Just decided to write… Why is Kain's easier to write than Zero's other than the fact that I'm totally bsing everything I can…

Kain shielded the sun from his eyes, pulling Lee closer into him. The throbbing headache drowned out the sound of the groan. He nibbled Lee's neck, only slightly curious as to why the other slept on his back. The familiar dehydration dulled his sense of taste, an almost-smile on his face as the other held Kain to his side, tilting his head further to the side. Reality started to set in as Kain dragged his tongue across the others throat, his brow furrowing. For the first time that morning, Kain opened his eyes.

His first clue should have been the Hunter's scent, overpowering and familiar. The second should have been the taste of Kiryuu's skin, torn open more times than Lee's. It was as he gently ran his fangs over Kiryuu's neck, the soft moan stopped him. "… Aka-chan?"

Kain shoved himself off, the sleep in Kiryuu's eyes blurring the situation. With a whine, Kiryuu pulled Kain into him again, resting his head on Kain's shoulder. Despite his better judgment, Kain ran his fingers through Kiryuu's hair, planting a kiss on his partner's forehead. He bit his lip, stuck between whether it was better to wake him and end their rendezvous or to let him sleep and enjoy what little time Kain had with him. He memorized his face, smoothing the hair away. Kiryuu sighed and opened his eyes, glaring at him. "Stop staring. It's creepy."

"Can't you take it as an I missed you?"

"… Fine." He rested his hand on Kain's cheek, stroking the cheek bone with his thumb. Kain squeezed his eyes shut, abruptly sitting up.

"… This can't happen again."

"Sleeping together or our relationship?" Kiryuu questioned, lifting himself onto his elbows.

"… Both." His hand dangled over the edge, grasping a blood water. "If you're serious about being with Lady Yuuki…"

"Heh." Kiryuu shook his head.

"What?" Kain turned towards him, raising an eyebrow.

"Way it's going, I'm probably going to be Ichijo's property until my life's over." He ran a hand through his hair. "Any idea of how to get through?"

"One… But, it'll compromise who you are."

"What is it?"

"Prove you're a vampire, willing to do whatever it takes to protect the Kurans." He fell back into the pillow.

"… How, exactly?"

"The normal ways… Compulsion, speed, standing up against whoever would speak ill." Kain smirked at Kiryuu's distaste. "Basically, honing the skills of those who you hunt. Might make you an even better Hunter."

Kiryuu flipped him off, falling into his pillow. "How would I 'hone' those skills?"

"Ask Wakaba. She needs the practice on fighting compulsion or she'll always take the side of vampires."

"What if I lose control?"

Kain pinched the bridge of his nose. "Who do you trust to use compulsion on you?"

"… What?"

"Any trained vampire knows how to use compulsion while balancing free will. If you're afraid you'd do something, choose someone you trust."

"… I trust you."

"That might work for the first few weeks but, it takes practice and loads of self-control… No, you need a more permanent partner than me."

"Not even when I'm just starting?" Kain made the mistake of meeting those violet eyes, determined yet sincere.

"… First five lessons only." He sighed. "But, we should work on not being around each other."

"Why make rules if you're just going to break them?" Kiryuu questioned.

"… To see my own strength." He offered a weak smile.

Silence. Kain threw off the sheets, stopped by Kiryuu's hand on his bicep. "Can you tell me more about the hive mind?"

"From what I know from history?" Kiryuu nodded. "Well… Purebloods are at the top. But, they all have to have one common goal in mind or the entire thing starts a clan war."

"… So, if it's up again…"

"It's about preventing it from happening."

"… How did you know Mrs. Ozaki was involved?"

"I didn't." He turned on his side, playing with Kiryuu's fingers. "I thought she was helping Kuran and could be another lead for you."

"There's something you're not telling me."

"… If it's already reached my attention, it's been in the works for years. And, everyone plays a part."

"… How does it work?"

"It's a simple task that might raise an eye…brow." Kain clenched his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut. "And, I've already done my part…"

"… America." Kain nodded, lowering his head. Kiryuu wrapped his arm around Kain's waist. "So, it's like the atomic bomb. Everyone has a part but no one knows what all the parts are."

"… There'd be at least one."

"… Kuran." Zero's eyes widened. "Do you think Yuuki knows?"

"No. Kaname would never put that on her."

"The man literally ruined everything you hold dear. He caused…" Kiryuu swallowed, his hand tightening into a fist.

"You know Yuuki better than anyone. Look me in the eye and tell me she'd have the stomach to control everyone." Kiryuu avoided Kain's gaze. "Then, Kaname wouldn't use her that way. Not even intentionally. He's good at finding the jobs that suit his pawns – not the ones that they would ruin."

"Kiss his boots more, why don't you."

"I'm just saying that he's clever enough to know how to use a weapon properly." Kain lowered his voice, the wheels in his mind turning. "And, how to destroy someone into being the weapon he needs…"

The pain… The nightmares… The selflessness… Kain intertwined their fingers. "Aka-chan?"

Kain forced a smile. "So, when am I going on a hunt with you?"

Kiryuu scoffed, tearing away from him. "It's dangerous."

"I send three teams into dangerous situations to capture and regroup. Don't you think I should know how dangerous it is for them so I can make the changes?"

"… Didn't you leave me in charge of that?"

"And, did you do it?"

"… How about this: you help me with my transition into vampire hood and I let you come to a clear out."

"Deal." He leaned into Kiryuu, his lips hovering over his ear. "What's a clear out?"

He could feel the other roll his eyes, shoving him away. He rolled over, his feet on the floor. "It's what happens in the aftermath of a Level E attack with hostages galore."

"Can they be saved?"

"Papa's been helping with that. Which is why we need to know what the hive mind is."

"Hanabusa knows what the hive mind is... Wait, you're trying to break a compulsion on humans?"

"…Yes."

"… Using what, exactly."

"Lady Yuuki's blood."

"… Have they sworn allegiance to her?"

"Do they have to?"

"It'd make it easier."

Zero raised an eyebrow, sliding the shirt over his frame. "Why would it make it easier?"

"She's the Official Kuran. With sworn allegiance and her blood mixing with theirs, they might have a chance at a better life."

"… So, you want to continue using Yuuki as –"

"An opportunity. And, you're the ones using her. Though, if you could clone her blood…" He nodded to himself. "Of course… But then…"

"Starting to see how you and Papa are cousins."

"Who else knows about this experiment?"

"Just you and Papa.. And Master and Cross… And Kaien…"

Kain rolled into Kiryuu's back. "How many hostages can you get out of the Association?"

"It's not that easy… It'd be easier with newer ones who haven't been exposed. And, even then…"

"… So, the day I attend the clear out, we can do a test run…" He nodded to himself. "It'll be enough time."

He ignored the pain in his upper jaw, his thoughts spinning once again. Kiryuu ran his hand over Kain's abdomen and up to his chest, feeling Kain's racing heart. "Does this mean we can do this again?"

Kain tore from his thoughts, shaking his head violently. "No."

"… Because you don't want to?"

His eyes darkened. "I want to. Very much."

"Then, what's stopping it?"

"The fact that your target has the nose of a blood hound and if you go home smelling like me…" He traced the 'I' on his lower back, "that won't be the worst he does."

"I can handle it."

"Point is, you shouldn't have to handle it."

"Well, won't Shiki be just as upset if you smell like me?"

"We don't have a relationship of that kind."

"Lee, then."

"Lee's stoned by ten am. Besides, I moved out for a bit."

"Are they staying with Gonkuro?"

"Hell no. Last thing I need is to go see everything broken. Lee's staying at a hotel and Shiki's staying with a friend."

"… Why'd you move out?"

"… Needed a break." He pressed a chaste kiss to Kiryuu's wrist, lips lingering above the pulse.

"What if I want to do this again?"

"That's not a choice." Kain answered, finally rolling to his edge of the bed.

"It takes two to tango."

"One of us is dating a sadist, the other is, for all intents and purposes, single."

"I can deal with it."

"Didn't you hear me?" Kain questioned, letting his slacks ride low. "You shouldn't have to deal with it."

"If it means I get to spend time with you…" Kiryuu frowned, an idea crossing his mind. "You said you missed me."

"I did."

"… Was it just my body you missed?"

Kain bit his lip. Was it better to answer or remain silent? If he said no, this would happen more often. Any chance Kiryuu had of getting to the Kurans would be ruined. If he said yes… Kain was bad at lying. Kiryuu nodded to himself. "I see."

Maybe it was better to let him believe it, Kain thought. "See you Saturday with Wakaba?"

A curt nod and the door slamming. Kain should have prepared for it.

Souen rolled the blood water towards him as he gnashed his teeth, the shaking unstoppable. "Is it getting easier?"

He shook his head, finally able to think a little clearer. She handed him another, watching as her cousin turned into something recognizable. "It's torture…"

"How'd you start?"

"I don't remember. I do remember feeding off him –"

"La la la! I can't know this!" Kain sighed as Souen grinned. "And, you and Kiryuu –"

"I know you want us back together but –"

"No buts. It will happen."

"Why?"

"Because I will it." She grinned, handing him her purse. "Now, shop?"

A/N: I feel like Kain pieces more when he's just left to think about everything and not about to bleed people dry. I'm probably using imagination… If so, I can figure out how to rewrite.