A/N: This chapter was in dire need of a rewrite.

"What?" Zero asked again, eyebrow raising as his brain processed the words.

Kain shrugged, lifting a beaker. "Unless you want to hang out here."

"No thanks. I'm busy." Aidou remarked, tearing it from his cousin's hand.

"You don't owe me anything." Zero responded, avoiding the burgundy eyes. Still, his arms crossed over his chest. Even now, he could see the other run a hand through his hair, frustration starting.

"Then… Consider it as two friends hanging out."

"Friends? More like bed buddies…" Aidou muttered under his breath.

"Hana, I will end you." The taller remarked. The smaller snickered but didn't reply. His attentions returned to the Hunter. "I got time to kill and I'd like to hang out with you… If you want."

Zero remained silent. Aidou straightened, his eyes narrowing towards his cousin. "Is this really the best time for it?"

"Time isn't something I have."

"So dramatic. But, seriously…" Kain turned to his interrupting cousin and patted his pocket. Zero raised an eyebrow as Aidou opened his mouth to protest again, falling short of words. The Hunter knew Kain's glare was darkening – his usual good posture hunched forward threateningly.

"So, where we going?" Zero answered after several minutes of tension. Kain straightened, almost relieved as he met the others' eye.

"I have a few ideas."

"Are you sure you're a vampire?" Zero asked, tearing his sunglasses out from his pocket. Kain leaned against the pier railing, becoming a silhouette against the setting sun. He only shrugged, his eyes roving over the crowds. Zero set the bags down and joined him.

"Are you sure you're not?" He asked.

"It's just that you prefer shopping in the day time now…"

"Someone showed me how fun that could be."

"And did you have fun?"

"No."

"Then, why do it?"

"Because you seemed to enjoy it."

"… I more enjoy sitting at home watching your stupid romantic dramas."

"They're not mine."

"Then, why watch them?"

"… Because they're better than your stupid western action adventures."

"Really? We've run out of topics to fight about?" He shook his head, tilting his face towards the taller. The burgundy eyes appeared redder, the fangs enlarging.

"Are we fighting? I thought we were debating who has worse taste in media."

"Isn't a debate a fight?"

"Fights require feelings. Debates are logic based."

"… So, you brought me out here to debate logically?"

"I brought you here to enjoy a day with you."

"Why?"

"I have too much respect for you and our relationship to treat you like some secret to be ashamed of."

"Aren't all secrets shameful?"

Kain snorted. "You've met Auntie Souen."

"True…" He sighed, pulling out his pack. "But, are we really together?"

With that sentence, Kain's exterior shrunk. The Hunter couldn't help but see the young vampire boy he might've been, the soft voice leaving him wishing he hadn't said anything. "I know…"

Almost instantaneously, he stood tall again. "How about we be friends?"

"Ew." Zero snickered at his sullen expression. "How about we be secret boyfriends?"

It was the wrong thing to say. Kain inched away from Zero, returning to his survey of the area. Only too clearly did Zero understand why. "You're scared. But, the question is of what?"

"You're with Ichijou." Kain snapped at him.

"I'm not having this fight again."

"I'm sorry…" Kain exhaled. "It's just… Why don't you understand the danger you'd put yourself in?"

"It's my body, my life, my decision."

Kain ran a hand through his hair, an idea forming in his mind. "What if we switched positions? You're me and I'm with Ichijou. Knowing what you know… Could you honestly say yes with a clear head."

"That's different."

"How?"

"Because I'm a Hunter. I literally face death every day."

"That's the entire point." He gripped Zero's hand as the other prepared to grab the bags, and tilted Zero's head towards him. "I want you safe for at least a part of everyday…"

His voice dropped so low, Zero had to strain his hearing to catch it. "Even if it's not with me."

Zero stood still for a moment, dropping his eyes to the cement. "This is unlike you."

Glad for the change in conversation, Kain picked up the other bags. "I haven't been myself for a while."

They started walking down the path again. "Because of Lee?"

"Partially."

"Shiki?"

"He is part of it."

"… Then, what's the rest?" Kain lifted his head to the stars, a small smile forming.

"Do you believe stars hold our fates?"

"Shakespeare seemed to think so. Do vampires even believe in fate?"

"I don't know about vampires. I know I do."

"Why?"

"Why do humans believe?"

"Fear of death, lack of purpose…"

"A vampires' life is longer. Wouldn't those fears come to fruition around the same time as a human?"

"Is that what you're afraid of? A lack of purpose?"

Kain studied him hard. "Aren't you afraid of that?"

"No."

"You're not afraid of death?"

"Death is an honor – depending how you go. Our purpose is always the same: kill or be killed. There's no fear."

"… Then, I'll be the worrywart."

"Weren't you always?"

"Ass." He nudged Zero's shoulder lightly. "You have questions."

"Many." Faintly, they both heard Kiryuu. Zero ignored it, drawing his partner back into the conversation. "Are you really going back?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Pureblood loyalty." Again, the small Kiryuu. The voice seemed to be getting closer.

"Are you taking Lee with you?"

"I'm responsible for him."

"Why?"

"I… I introduced him to our world so, logically, I'm responsible."

"… You mean… You told him about vampires?" Kain shrugged. Zero scoffed. "It's nothing a small Hunter spell couldn't fix."

"No."

"Hear me out."

"It's more complicated than a simple Hunter spell."

"But…"

"Drop it."

Frustrated, Zero decided for another question. "Why are you so invested in the Hive Mind theory?"

"Real answer?"

"Yes."

"Kitashi."

"… Want to expand on that?"

"Not particularly."

"What's the false answer?"

"One must suit theories to fit facts, not suit facts to fit theories."

"… Sherlock."

"I never liked Sherlock. Too pompous. Can I be Moriarty?"

"Then, who am I?"

"You're Sherlock. Hana's definitely your John."

"Then, Rima's Mrs. Hudson."

Kain snorted. "You know she'd throw a fit."

"She'd insist she's John."

"Of course."

"Kiryuu!" The new voice emerged, panting. "Didn't you hear me calling?"

Zero tried very hard to maintain his composure. The boy, no older than his early twenties, straightened and grinned at him, sporting a few too many bite marks. "Master said you weren't coming back."

"Who's Master?" Zero asked. His eyes wandered to Kain, the vampire examining the boy.

"You know Master. Don't play with me!" The kid hit his arm.

"You must have me confused with someone else."

"So formal!" The kid gawked, suddenly realizing his companion. "Oh, did you get sold?"

Zero almost choked. Kain raised an eyebrow, studying Zero for a cue.

"You're much fancier than Aoko's. But then, they were a little… Kiryuu, you remember Aoko, right?"

Staring at Kain, Zero only lent the smallest of nods. He was lucky Kain picked up on it, dreading the boy read into it as some sort of agreement. He felt the wave of power pass over him as Kain towered over the boy. The power felt stronger, more aggressive than even Ruukas'… He tried to shake off the feeling.

"You've mistaken him for someone else." Kain spoke, the boys' eyes widening. It was one thing to practice compulsion, another to witness another use it.

"… I'm sorry." The boy bowed to both of them, running away as if on an errand. As quickly as it had come, it dissipated with Kain's focus on him.

"You want to explain that?"

"Once you've calmed down."

"I'm not angry."

"Say that to your face." He answered, tearing past.

"My face says I'm not angry."

Not for the first time was Zero annoyed with his partner's long legs. The surprise came from the sudden warm hand clasping around his, wedging the fingers between the gaps. Zero stopped, glaring at their intertwined hands. He raised his eyes to the vampire beside him, trying hard to remain stoic. Under Kain's intense and dark gaze, he wanted to squirm. "Let go."

"No."

"Why?"

"Why don't you?" Zero turned his face away as Kain stepped closer. He shivered, jerking his hand from the intruders. Automatically, the vampire threw his coat over Zero's shoulders, tilting his head by two fingers under Zero's chin. The Hunter wet his lips, his hands clenching into fists. Kain broke the eye contact. "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."

Zero blinked repeatedly, trying to recollect what Kain may have been referring to. Once understanding sunk in, they started walking again. "It's not so much that I don't want to tell you."

"Then, what is it?"

"That chapter of my life is closed. I want to move on."

"… I won't pressure."

"Good."

A/N: Not exactly how it planned it but, I need sleep. Not my best but, it's cute ^.^ Though, I got plans. Little more detailed – not much has changed.