A/N: Hello! :D Sorry, it's freaking short! *pulls at hair* Dunno if it's gonna get longer, but please bear with me D: This is to, well, hopefully give more background or whatnot to the characters and how they're like. Sort of. Kind of. Ha, ha...

Warnings: KZK, y'all, and YC I guess, but if any of you are bothered by KZK, then YC isn't much of a difference, is it? *snort*

Disclaimer: Ta-da! *points down to fanfiction*

Joy Ephemera

Kaname couldn't believe the nerve of that, that, argh! He nearly hit the window of the cab he was riding in, his humiliated frustration so high it was threatening to manifest physically.

Just what had he done to be treated so dismissively? Never, not once in his life, had someone so readily thrown him out on his ass like he was some kind of misbehaved dog that needed punishing.

He hadn't even spoken a word with the damn man! What chance did he have to cause such a reaction out of him? All he'd done was sit and follow, nothing particularly offensive, in his opinion, and yet—

Sweet Jesus but was he beautiful.

Ugh, no! He was supposed to be angry, embarrassed, infuriated, enough to choke the living daylights out of the next man he saw, even, not think about how gods-be-damned attractive the one responsible was!

But there was no denying that beauty.

He sighed. If only the man kept his mouth shut…

Really, Kaname frowned, what was his problem? Kaname seriously doubted he could have done anything in such a short amount of time to upset anyone enough for a kick out the door and a thorough verbal lashing (however polite) in the process.

What a quick mouth.

It was, wasn't it; though Kaname supposed a trait like that was commonplace for someone of the man's…lifestyle, no pun intended.

He drummed his fingers against his thigh. The first proper whack to his behind and it had come from an escort/prostitute with a chip on his shoulder.

Irony never ceased to amaze him.

He was still terribly indignant over what'd transpired between he and Zero, but he wouldn't let it get to him like some pathetic five year old who got jilted from his favorite swing.

What did he feel for a man he'd only met for a mere ten minutes?

He told himself the question had been rhetorical when an answering well of regret filled his mind.

Well, whatever nonsense his subconscious was springing, he had bigger things to worry about than a short-tempered prostitute, however alluring or intriguing said prostitute was.

Getting off the cab, he offered the driver a fifty, not bothering for change, and tried to think up a proper story before he had to meet his fiancée.

"What did you really bring them for, Touga?" Kaien questioned as he eyed the blond sleeping amongst a mound of pillows, a silk robe carefully spread over him to keep out any of the nightly chill that might manage to seep in.

"What do you mean? It's just as I said; I wanted to get the boy a special lady."

"No you didn't," a slender finger punctuated the statement, "you wanted him to see Zero."

"Now, now," Yagari grinned, taking the finger and pressing a quick kiss to it, "we all know Zero hates Friday eves here. How did I know he'd be here?"

"I don't know, you tell me." Kaien frowned, not appreciating the man's evasiveness, "Ruka suddenly felt unwell, and Zero stepped in to look after her." In other words, to take her place.

The smoker sighed. "It didn't have to be him, it really was by chance Zero was here tonight, but I couldn't have asked for anyone better."

Kaien smirked. "Do you really believe Zero would put up with a total greenhorn on a Friday night?" He twisted Yagari's tie around his slim hand to pull the man close enough for a light nip at his jaw, "I'd be surprised if your little rich boy hasn't gone home by now."

Zero chose his clients, not the other way around, and not one of them were first-timers looking for a chance to gain experience. As kind as he was capable of being, Zero had no patience for stuttering virgins who didn't know where which part went where. Even if they somehow managed to pay for any amount of time with him, Zero wasn't in for fluffy soft words and comforting gestures virgins usually required.

If all someone wanted was a good fuck, Zero certainly wasn't putting out. One didn't need to pay for something so trivial, and he definitely didn't need to waste his time on it either, when he could be tending to something worthwhile.

And Kaien wouldn't be the last to say Zero's usual clients rarely spent their time having sex, even when they stayed overnight. A majority were all middle-aged men or older, just wanting for an understanding companion to spill their troubles to without having to fear for their life. They were all influential in their own right, and often times, had too many enemies to ever relax fully. When the pressures of everyday struggles became too much, Zero was always ready to welcome them into his arms for a night of blissful dreams and perhaps, a taste of heaven.

Those clients themselves were one of the reasons why Kaien knew Zero was hesitant to ever leave Red Lily. They depended so much on Zero's soothing presence, what would they turn to if he were to quit? Some he'd even managed to keep from straying to more dangerous methods; and if there was no one there to tell them to stop, he feared for what they would do.

"They're just lonely, Kaien, so alone, I can't leave them like that."

Zero himself knew what it was like to feel as though he had no one he could turn to, to suddenly realize he was on his own, that the only one he could rely on was himself.

But just as he'd learned although he was right in having to make his own decisions, he couldn't spend his life completely alone or isolated, and he intended to teach others the same.

Yagari chuckled, "I guess it was too much to ask, huh? I'll need to apologize. What should I bring him?"

"You know he doesn't need anything like that."

"Come on, just something."

"…He's been looking for a new hairpiece for Ruka. It's her birthday soon, you know."

"He spoils that damn princess too much." This wasn't the first time he was made to pick out a young girl's trinket for an indirect present. The one time he'd bought something for Zero himself, the kid had gone and given the gift to another one of those brats he couldn't keep his mother hen paws off of.

"He was cold, and the robe was warm enough."

Kaien shrugged. "He doesn't care for her any more than he does all the other little ones."

"She's nineteen, plenty old enough to look after her own ass." Hardly little. Taking another sip of his drink, he added, not without a touch of bitterness, "Zero's not even a year older than her, you realize, and the way he acts, I feel like he's older than me, sometimes."

Kaien smiled softly. "He's loosened up a lot since he met you. We're all grateful for that, I hope you know."

"So you keep telling me."

Kaien sighed, not quite able to hide his smile, "You've done a lot for him, even letting him stay here when you could take him from us to a better place, a better home." Yagari had ultimately given Zero the choice in wanting to stay or getting adopted, becoming his heir.

The boy had, of course, kindly refused. But the open trust in his eyes, since that day, had never wavered, and Yagari, if for nothing else, would never take that for granted.

He suddenly snorted. "Wonder how rich boy's taking it." He could only imagine what Zero said to him before kicking him out.

Kaien laughed smoothly, "terribly, no doubt. No matter who they are, they always have a ridiculous amount of pride they think they need to salvage." He wouldn't be surprised if the young man decided come charging in with a complaint. Not that it would do any good.

"Mm, the kid hasn't had fun in a while," Yagari said contemplatively, swirling his cup around.

"True, but I don't think your little bachelor friend is enough to keep him occupied."

"It'll be good while it lasts," Yagari shrugged. He never really thought about Kuran being able to entertain Zero in any way, but if he could, for no matter how long, then why not?

"Zero-san?"

"Sakuya. It's alright, go back to sleep."

"I'm sorry for today, with those men," the boy mumbled, still drowsy, "one of them was Yagari-sama too."

"Touga wouldn't mind, you know that, and you don't have to worry about the others, you won't see them again for some time."

"M'kay."

Zero smiled at the easy acceptance of his answers, so trusting these little ones were to anyone willing to show them anything more than brute force.

Running a hand through the boy's lengthening hair, his fingers trailed down to inspect roughened hands, smaller than his own. The boy's fragile feet were also in a similar state, with small scrapes and the usual wear and tear that came with running errands for a majority of the day.

Soundlessly retrieving a small glass vial and a warm wet rag, he set about wiping the boy's limbs, applying the oil while the skin was still moist, his movements slow and gentle as he rubbed it in.

Sakuya would be taking the next few days off, he'd make sure of it. The boy was pushing himself too hard, trying to please everyone. It was out of a sense of gratitude, Zero knew, for picking him off the streets. But Zero hoped to give Sakuya more than just a roof over his head and three meals a day.

Hearing another rustle of silk behind him, he sighed softly and turned towards the door. "Ruka, it's unbecoming of you to loiter outside someone's rooms. Come inside."

"Zero…" Wide honey brown eyes peeked over the side of the door.

"How are you feeling?"

She smiled weakly, carefully stepping in, unable to hold in a hoarse cough. "So much better, thanks to you." Her voice was a touch muffled behind one of the sleeves she held up to her mouth.

He smiled sympathetically, making a note to send up some honeyed tea later. "Come here."

As she knelt by him, he placed the back of his hand against her forehead, feeling for her temperature, nodding in approval to see that she had indeed gotten better since he saw her last.

"What did you need?"

"I wanted to give you something for tonight." She pulled a small pouch from her sleeve, hardly bigger than her palm. "I was going to give it to you for something else, but this would work just as well."

Zero gently fingered the gift, taking in the intricate details sewn and woven in, admiring the craftsmanship. "Did you make this?"

She nodded shyly, still waiting to see if it would be received well. "It's for your dried flowers, I know how potpourri remind you of your mother."

"I never knew you noticed," He said softly, pressing the pouch to his lips, "thank you."

Ruka gave another wordless nod, cheeks now a flaming red, her happy flush adding to the heat from her fever.

She couldn't help but laugh, however, (weak as it was) when Zero once again pressed a hand to her face, his eyes concerned. "Hey, you're not getting a relapse on me, are you?"

"I'm fine, Zero."

"Mm, let's keep you that way. Come, I'll walk you back."

Sighing tiredly, she agreed, not wanting to spread her illness onto him or Sakuya.

"President, is there anything else you require?"

"No, you've done everything well, thank you." Kaname managed a smile. "You're free to leave. I'm sure your family is waiting."

"Thank you sir."

Once alone in his office, Kaname leaned back into his chair, sighing as he stared up at the ceiling. Two hours since coming back from Red Lily and he'd yet to get the incident out of his mind. Distracting himself with work hadn't gone over too well, only succeeding in bringing himself more frustration every time he failed to keep his attention on something else.

Even thoughts on what he should say to Yuuki the following day couldn't keep him focused for long, his memories slipping in images of fiery lilac eyes and stern soft lips. But while he could brush off those beautifully pale features if he tried hard enough, that smooth husky voice wouldn't leave him for all the persuasion in the world.

How was it someone's voice of all things, something he couldn't even touch or see, affect him so deeply?

"Sorry Touga, but your little bachelor friend will have to settle for me this time."

Kaname closed his eyes.

By the gods, the other man had no idea what those words had done to him, had he?

Anyone with a voice like that shouldn't be allowed to speak. The man had a permanent bedroom voice Kaname was sure every girl swooned at whenever in hearing range.

But it wasn't just the sensuality in it, there was something else that pulled Kaname's attraction like moths to a flame; perhaps in the way he spoke, his intonations as expressive as his eyes, frank and bold, to an almost emotional degree.

Though he'd previously wished to reciprocate the anger and playful condescension he'd detected, it was more than obvious; all he wanted now was to simply see the man again. Preferably without the negative impressions.

He could even bring himself to feel guilty for hurting him, however unknowingly.

But that would be a horrible lie, he smiled, since despite what those fiery eyes spat at him, Kaname found Zero to be no less beautiful.

It was almost amusing, how quickly his own initial reaction had settled pathetically into wanting to see the other man to make amends instead of furthering what could be a rather interesting argument.

If a pissed Zero looks ever so enticing, what would a surprised one look like?

His mind filled with how a second encounter might progress, thoughts of his fiancée were left to collect dust on a forgotten shelf.

"And take proper care of him," Kaien called, eying the blond in Yagari's arms with a protective frown. "No leaving him on the wayside just because you can!" It was a very real possibility, as it'd happened more than once.

The smoker laughed softly, dumping the weight in his arms in the backseat before walking back to the entrance and reaching out for Kaien's waving arm to pull the slighter man closer, briefly inhaling his scent before murmuring,

"The kid's in safe hands, no worries."

"So you say," Kaien pouted, "but we all know how serious you actually are. If I find he's been mugged tonight or something equally heinous, I'll sic Zero on you."

"Sure Princess, anything to keep the brat off my ass."

"Of course," Kaien said confidently, "Zero likes me more than he does you, so you can bet for a proper beating if you don't listen."

"What a demanding little Lily." Yagari sighed playfully.

"Call it whatever you like, I'm not the one who'll have to worry about a butt whooping on his next visit."

The dark haired businessman laughed, leaning down to capture those cheeky lips for a casual kiss.

"I'll miss you."

Kaien reared back, blinking, before frowning affectionately. "I hate that you can still surprise me, even with knowing you for so as long as I have." He grinned, leaning up to peck a short kiss to the other man's cheek. "But I guess I'll miss you as well. I won't see you until next month, no?"

"Mm."

The blond sighed. "Oh, don't be a child," he flicked Yagari's nose, "you've lived the first fifteen years of your life without me, what's a month compared to that?"

The taller of the two merely pressed his lips against the inside of the wrist he was still holding onto before finally turning to leave.

Kaien huffed and crossed his arms. "Such a big baby!" He smiled exasperatedly before stepping inside.

Making sure not to wake Sakuya as he undressed, the silky fabric easily slid from around his shoulders, hissing as it tumbled to the floor in a layered pile around his feet. Sliding open a drawer, he picked out a pair of drawstring pants to slip into after his shower and moved to step into the bathroom.

He sighed as he never made more than a foot past the door.

"Kaito, would you mind…?"

The arms around his middle only tightened as a pair of lips pressed at the nape of his neck in a lazy manner.

"I do. You're supposed to be my hug-pillow." The older man mumbled.

"I can be your damn hug-pillow for however long you'd like after my shower," Zero whispered, irritated. "If you don't let go, you're going to lose a finger."

A petulant bite was place at his ear. "Fine. Until lunch."

Zero let out another sigh. "Yes, you bum, until lunch. Now let go."

Kaito had horrid sleeping habits. He'd fallen asleep on his clients on more than one occasion, though they somehow saw the trait as something endearing.

"M'kay."

Rolling his eyes at hearing the childish satisfaction in the older man's tone at getting his way, Zero shut the door in his face and turned the knob for his much awaited shower.

Busying himself with the mindless task of washing himself off, he went over what he'd have to look over the next day.

Kaito, would of course, have to be woken properly, so he could make it for that party he'd been hired for. The soon-to-be twenty-three year old could only exude the charm he was so known for, for a limited amount of time, and a few hours at a high class party was just enough before he started making an idiot out of himself, so despite his other faults, he made the perfect temporary date.

He hoped Miss Wakaba Sayori wouldn't have anything negative to say against him. She was far from many of the air headed wealthy girls, so he didn't doubt her ability to keep Kaito in line.

Now if the older man could be a little more receptive to the fairer sex… Zero half feared the only reason Kaito got away with his attitude toward women in general was due to his looks and 'mysterious' manner (the man was just never fully awake) that was so popular amongst them.

After that, he'd have to make sure Sakuya stayed in bed, check on the other young ones, make sure the new ones were settling in nicely, 'tutor' the older ones, make sure Kaien was doing his damn job…

And ah…there was a new one in particular giving the staff a bit of trouble. Hanabusa, was it? Wide blue eyes and golden blond hair, last he remembered. Rather ordinary in coloring, but he had an adorably energetic air about him.

"Maybe if I stick him with Kaito, he'd mellow out a bit," Zero murmured amusedly. There was not one cheery person Kaito hadn't managed to subdue at one point or another, and simply by being himself.

His constant languid nature seemed to calm those around him. Though his unshakable mask of nonchalance didn't so much as soothe as it drained any energy or excitement within a certain radius.

"Zerooo…"

"Shit Kaito, a five year old has more patience than you!" Zero hissed.

The older man sent him a slow smile as he approached, sticking his hand in to turn the shower off to instead fill the tub.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Washing your hair." Kaito silently demanded for the shampoo bottle as he shoved out an arm in its direction. "If I help, you'll be out faster." He curled his fingers atop the rim of the tub, squatting on the floor. Zero could almost imagine a pair of ears and a tail. "And I like washing your hair."

Zero couldn't deny Kaito's latent talent with his fingers, and muttered as he sank under the gushing water, offering his head.

"Go at it."

He felt Kaito nuzzle into it before his slim hands started kneading his scalp in just the way he loved, pulling a slight groan out of him.

"An idiot came by tonight, didn't they?" At Zero's questioning look, Kaito smiled lazily, "I can tell by your groan."

"Well, you'd be right. A total virgin, that one, and he's about to get the noose in two months."

Kaito let out a soft snort. "Arranged."

"Most likely."

"Has to be. A good hole and he isn't using it? Arranged. Or hates boobs."

"Virgin," Zero pointed out, trying to offer another reason for 'lack of action'.

"Male virgin. They never wait long." He tilted his head. "If they don't have to."

Zero laughed softly. "Maybe, but that one? Bi if not," he moaned softly, "if not gay," he finished.

"Mm, so a boob hater after all, huh." Kaito said lightly, his tone bland as ever. "A greenie?"

"Probably doesn't even know."

Kaito snorted again. "Divorce is in the air," he sang throatily, "you'll have fun with this one."

"Don't think so. Fresh ones are always boring."

"Wanna bet?"

"No betting on possible future clients," came the immediate rebuttal.

"Stupid Golden Boy and your dumb sense of honor."

"Common courtesy." Zero corrected. "I shouldn't have mentioned him in the first place." Confidentiality.

"My hands always know how to make you talk." Kaito said confidently, smiling as Zero let out another groan.

"I won't say anything more."

"His name?"

Zero shrugged.

Kaito huffed a laugh. "Poor baby. Will you even remember his face?"

"Potential client." Zero raised a wet finger, indicating he never forgot any one of his client's features.

"If you're so sure," the older man shrugged. He grinned lazily. "You'd make an awesome home wrecker."

Zero flipped water over his shoulder, delighting in the offended grunt he got in response.

"Proud whore I may be, home wrecker I am not." He wasn't stupid enough to have enraged females after him.

"Your harem hardly has happy things to fuck over in the first place."

"Exactly."