A/N: So, I changed the ending to Chapter 9 which is mean of me but, whatever. Also, sorry if it's more graphic than previous chapters – Zero is stuck fantasizing while being treated unfairly and Kain's got literally nothing else to do.
The scent. Even faded, the beast purred. Kain never expected how, without distraction, the beast was even more difficult to control. Drink, sleep… Stare pointlessly out the window. His fangs enlarged at even the thought of the sweet, red liquid. Problem was, Kain wasn't sure if it was Lee's or Zero's he craved more.
He bit his own wrist, disappointed that the craving didn't dissipate. Instead, he remembered Zero's tongue on his arm, lapping the blood from the cut. Perhaps… It was lust, not love. Again, disappointment flooded his mind. Like a human… I managed to convince myself that what I felt was love… But, if it's not love, why does it hurt?
"Ugh." The new voice peaked Kain's attention as Souen stepped past the threshold, wrinkling her nose. She averted her eyes to the couch. "It smells like Hana's man cave."
"Nice to see you, too." Kain spat, suddenly annoyed.
"Too much of you." She kept her attention on the couch, one eyebrow raising.
"You're married – there's not much else to it."
"Seeing my husband naked is different from my cousin."
"… He is your cousin."
"Husband first." She stomped her foot, trying to meet his eye defiantly, the blush darkening on her cheeks. Kain bit his lip, Aidou's expression the only thing keeping Kain at bay. At Souen's insistence, he dressed, trying his best to shove the need down. His fangs elongated painfully, the scenario in his head developing. He was glad for the switch in his mind turning from Souen to Kiryuu. That he could understand. "Least I know you guys actually used the room."
"Figured you'd stop being such a prude after marriage." Kain muttered, the scratchy fabric irritating his skin. He collapsed into one of the chairs.
"You're such an ass." Her expression softened as she seated herself across from him. "When'd that start?"
"About the time I got grounded by Hana." He crossed his arms over his chest, unintentionally appearing as a pouty four-year-old. Though annoyed, Kain noted her smile. "What calls for the social visit? Aren't you afraid I'll go all Hannibal Lecter on you?"
"Please – you might have his nice manners but, you'd feel bad if you drank from anyone." She leaned forward, her voice dropping. "Hana will be here soon."
"So, a whine session." Souen shrugged unapologetically. Kain sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and poured himself a drink. "You know that I'm not a therapist, right?"
"… I know." Her lower lip peered out as she twiddled her thumbs.
Kain sighed, mentally stabbing his leg. "What'd he do?"
"… I don't know. I mean… I kind of expected it but, I didn't expect it to that extent."
"Ruuka, honey… I have no clue what you're talking about."
"I mean… Zero's got him commissioned in the mind hive –"
"Hive mind." Kain corrected.
"… That. And, you've got him looking into your problem. Then, there's the pharmaceutical methods he's using to cure disease…"
"And you're wondering where you fit in to that."
She fiddled with the ends of her hair. "I thought there'd be more time for me if we were –"
"He's making time as he goes." Kain smiled, gripping the chair. Souen didn't return the smile. He ran a hand through his hair. "Do you remember the joke about if Hana ever got married and he was in focused mode, he wouldn't notice if his wife did a strip tease?"
"It's not exactly a joke…" Her cheeks reddened as Kain raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I'm the joke…"
"You?" Kain shook his head. "It just means you go back to basics. Fridays are for alone time."
"We're talking about my schedule again?" Aidou questioned, leaning against the door.
"Just how to reorganize it." Kain explained as his cousin approached. Souen wouldn't glance at him.
"I'm sorry, Akatsuki." Kain only shrugged as Aidou lowered his voice, harsher than before. "I said I was sorry about it, Ruuka."
"It's because it keeps happening." Souen remarked.
"You know what I'm like when –"
"I know."
"And, it's especially important –"
"I said I know." Souen spat through gritted teeth. Aidou sighed, trying to rephrase.
"I know Ruuka's here for a social visit." Kain interrupted.
"And bringing you a TV." She shrugged as Aidou scowled. "He's bored enough to live… Like this."
"Why are you here?" Kain questioned, stopping Aidou's retort.
"… I have good news and bad news."
"Just tell him what happened." Souen insisted. Kain waited, expectantly.
"Well, I got stuck which is why I haven't gotten back to you until today."
"We all do –" Kain started to assuage.
"And, I figured the component out but I couldn't figure one aspect until compound Ag with Ar–"
"Sciency stuff explained: compound illusion." Souen summarized. Aidou shook his head, the far off look in his eyes returning to reality.
"Which… I created as part of Ichijo's drug derivative Y. See, it's supposed to create a more powerful addictive by allowing a small amount of compulsion and power to those who use it. It's quite powerful but, it does require a small amount of Ruuka's influence."
"… Which we both grew immune to." Kain spoke.
"Hence, if you take it or me or Touya or –"
"Anyone Kuran Clan who takes it of equal or higher standing to me experiences a 'bad trip'." Souen, again, summarized.
"So… Is that the bad news or the good?" Kain asked.
"That's the background." Aidou smiled at Kain's eye roll. "Now, good news or bad news?"
"… Let's get the bad over with."
"Well… Because of the addictive –"
"Just say it how you explained it to me." Souen cut in, pouring herself a wine.
"… You're not the one who needs the detox. Lee does."
"… Of the drug or the bite?"
"The drug. And, because his biggest addict is you… You should be feeding on him as he's getting clean."
"… And, the good news?"
"… You're not a drug addict isn't good enough news for you?" Aidou questioned.
"… What if I can't curb craving Lee's blood?"
"Then, you're addicted to blood. We can work on that after Lee's off the drug."
Kain swallowed, lowering his head. "I fed Kiryuu my blood yesterday."
"Zero finally bit you?" Souen's eyes sparkled.
"No. I cut my wrist and he licked the blood." She pouted.
Aidou studied Kain. "He's fine. Like I said, the drug isn't what you're addicted to and it's been out of your system for a while."
"But, if I start feeding off Lee…"
Aidou tilted his head. "It should be fine. It's not like Zero's feeding off Lee and Lee will be off it."
Kain nodded. "So… What should I do for him?"
"First, get a TV in here. Take his phone. Pretty sure you know creative ways to keep him distracted." Kain avoided Souen's pitiful smile.
"I don't want to take advantage of him."
"It's not taking advantage. More like… helping him through a dark time." Aidou tried.
Kain scowled. Souen sighed. "As much as I hate to say it… try acting like you like him."
"Huh?"
"She overheard him telling people that you both wanted kids…" Aidou explained.
"And… Who invited him?"
"Shiki as his plus one. Oh and, he probably wants Zero dead." Souen smiled encouragingly. Kain stared back, blankly.
"So… What am I supposed to do with that knowledge other than keep Kiryuu the hell away from Lee?"
Souen and Aidou exchanged glances. Souen said it first. "Manipulate."
"Not the best…" Lee frowned as Enmei set the bags down.
"No, it's not. But, it's where I'm staying." Leave if you don't like it, he thought pettily towards the human. He lowered his voice. "How is he?"
"Irritable. Pretty sure Shiki gave him a fresh batch and a small feeding." He smiled conspiratorially as he held the small bag. "He also burned a pretty hole in your pocket."
"That I expected."
"It doesn't even have internet." Lee grumbled.
"You changed the number, right?" Kain asked. Enmei nodded. Kain spoke louder. "Then, that's everything."
Not even a second after Enmei had left, Lee scowled. "How can you live like this?"
"I find less is more." Manipulate. The words hit on Kain's conscious. Still, it encouraged his steps as he lifted Lee onto the table. The honey-covered words felt heavy on his tongue. "Gives me more time to focus on more pressing matters."
As he stated the last word, he pressed against Lee. The other whimpered, trying unsuccessfully to push Kain off. "I'm not some toy you can throw away and do whenever you want."
"I know that." Kain lowered his lips to Lee's ear, his fangs enlarging. "I also know that I've been distracted with business and catching up. I haven't treated you like you deserve."
You deserve better… He thought towards the human who easily succumbed to the words. "I missed you drinking from me."
"Oh, yeah?" Kain challenged, kissing down his neck.
"Mm."
"Did you also miss my other attributes?" He knocked his hips into Lee's, the other desperately clinging to the fabric of his shirt. Kain stepped back, much to Lee's annoyance. "What's the rush?"
"I missed you." Lee stated, his lower lip poking out in a pout.
"We have at least a week." Maybe more, depending on Hana…
"A week in this place?" Lee asked, his nose wrinkling a little in distaste.
"A week," Kain started amending, tired of explaining his style, "for me to make it up to you."
He rested his hand on Lee's neck, feeling the others pulse race. Lee swallowed hard. "And… how do you plan to do that?"
Two days. Kain was drained, devoid of emotion and energy. Lee slept on the bed, tired from his temper tantrum after being unable to find his kit. For the first time of his life, Kain was glad he was a vampire… And that he had a spartan lifestyle. The amount of furniture Lee had during his fit would have driven the crafters mad. His own scars disappeared after about three blood infused waters. He heard the soft knocking and opened the door for Souen. "Okay, I brought Disney, ice cream, six distraction techniques from a feather on a rod to cat nip."
"He's not a cat." Kain shook his head.
"He's also not six but…" She held up the Disney film.
"And, do we have anything to calm the outbursts?"
"Water… and antidepressants."
"Anything for violence?"
"Just my fists." She grinned at him. Kain nodded.
"I'll only be gone for a few hours."
"Stop worrying. If I can handle Hana's mood swings, I think I can handle this." She patted him on the back.
"You'll call me if something happens?"
"Nothing will happen."
A/N: I was just going to leave Lee out of it until I needed him again but… Considering the depiction of Kain's character I have, he wouldn't be able to.