A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it

Chapter 11 - Desired Intimacy

"A masquerade," Hikari repeated incredulously, "What for?"

"Oh, it's just a general ball to socialise and to have a dance," Kaname said nonchalantly, "You are being expected to attend."

"Who's holding this masquerade," Hikari asked curiously. Kaname looked up at her as he sipped his blood tablet drink.

"The Aidou family," Kaname replied, "I bet you're happy about that, no?"

"Why would I be happy about that," Hikari asked.

"Well, you've been spending a lot of time with Hanabusa lately," Kaname said in a calm tone, "Tell me, wife, are you keeping your wedding vows?"

"Oh, you can talk," Hikari hissed, "I know what you do with that woman! She openly flirts with you and flaunts her closeness to you."

"Tell me," Kaname said as he reclined in his chair, "Are you jealous?"

"Jealous," Hikari asked with an incredulous expression, "You have to be joking!? I barely know you and I do not care if you have slept with half the court! After all, this is just to benefit our families. I could care less about you and your private affairs."

Kaname stood up, "I haven't slept with half the court, for your information. I have only ever been intimate with one woman and that woman is Hanaka."

Hikari stared at him and Kaname carried on, "You could have had the chance to have me all to yourself yet you pushed me away."

"You didn't really want me though did you? I bet you were imagining Hanaka when you were kissing me, weren't you? Don't lie to me. You may not love me but I am still your wife."

"Hanaka didn't even enter my mind," Kaname answered, "All was that on my mind was thinking up ways to make you comfortable in your intimacy with me. I wanted to make you at ease as any husband would want for his wife. I wanted to take the time to make sure you enjoyed it."

Hikari eyed him closely, "Really?"

"Really," Kaname said, "If I didn't care for your wellbeing, I would have forced you onto that bed and I would have had my way with you, regardless of whether you wanted me to stop or not. I chose not to, didn't I?"

Hikari nodded, "I thank you for that."

"Good," Kaname said, placing his glass on the table and standing up, "Get ready for the masque," he ordered as walked from the room. Hikari sighed and reclined in her chair, sighing sadly. This was not going to be easy, Hikari concluded.

At twelve o'clock at night, Hikari stepped out of her room in her masquerade garb. She wore a long, champagne coloured dress which had a beautiful gold sash just under her bust to create an empire line. The sweet heart bodice line was edged with tiny freshwater pearls and fine lace. It dipped down to reveal ample cleavage (a little more than she was willing to reveal). Around her neck was a pearl choker with a silver, heart shaped pendant. Small capped sleeves were made of fine chiffon fabric with gold thread woven into it. On her hands, she wore fine white silk gloves. Her hair was gathered into an intricate bun with thin gold cord woven into it.

Hikari's gold mask fastened behind her ears. It was incrusted with garnets, rubies and diamonds. Hana draped a white cape around her delicate shoulders and fastened it with a small peal button, pulling the hood up, "You look beautiful, my lady."

"As do you, Hana," Hikari said kindly. Hana's dress was made out of deep green silk. It was sleeveless and it was much more modest than her mistress's. She wore white gloves which protected the fine silk of her dress. Her mask was made out of green silk lined with small fresh water pearls. Her brunette hair was gathered into a thick braid, "Well, let's go."

Hikari and Hana both gracefully walked down the stairs towards the parlour. Kaname was already down there. He wore a formal black suit with a gold cravat to complement and match his wife's dress. He wore a white mask with cold trim around the edges. A black cape was draped around his shoulders and he pulled up the hood.

"Hikari," Kaname said as he approached her, "You have definitely outdone yourself."

Hikari stared up at him, "You can thank Hana for that," Kaname nodded and Hikari pursed her lips, "Is Hanaka attending?"

"Unfortunately, Hanaka has been called away from court for family matters," Kaname replied, "Are you happy, Hikari?"

"As long as I don't have to look at her," Hikari said delicately. Heaving a heavy sigh, Kaname offered his arm to her and Hikari slipped her arm through. They walked out of the manor and towards a carriage. Hana followed close behind and climbed in with him. The ride to the Aidou manor was silent and tense.

Ever since their failed consummation, it had driven another wedge between them. Kaname was frustrated by being unable to seduce his own wife. He would be the laughing stock of his town. She was scared and resentful of him, he could tell.

As he gazed at her out of the corner of his eye, he was feeling resentful himself. Kaname Kuran wasn't used to being denied anything and sex being one of them. It was frustrating and he bit his lip, drawing blood and making his wife look up at him.

"Hikari," Kaname said through gritted teeth, "Have you thought some more about things in the bedroom," he asked cryptically. Hikari looked up at him again and frowned.

"What do you mean by that? My bedroom is fine," Hikari asked, not understanding his meaning.

Kaname raised an elegant eyebrow, "You've missed my meaning."

"What?"

"We should at least try to consummate this marriage," Kaname said straight out. Hikari gasped sharply and Hana placed a hand on hers to calm her down, "I should not have let you go that night."

"You said that you didn't want to force me," Hikari replied.

"True," Kaname said casually, "But we need to maintain a level of intimacy. We are still husband and wife."

"Well, if you stopped sharing intimacy with another woman, we would have gotten somewhere," Hikari replied icily, "I am not your number one priority as I should be."

Kaname eyed her for a moment before turning his gaze outside, "So, you're jealous of Hanaka?"

"I wouldn't say that," Hikari replied, "However, is it wrong of me to expect fidelity with in this marriage?"

"If it was anybody else, then no," Kaname replied. Hikari turned her head towards Hana, who was hiding her blushing cheeks in her hood.

"Sorry, Hana," Hikari said kindly, "We shouldn't be discussing this in front of you."

Hana smiled sheepishly, "Don't worry about it."

Hikari smiled, "Well, I hope we all enjoy this soiree and even you, Hana. You are an aristocrat and have pride as such, no?"

"Yes, my lady," Hana said, "I do need."

When they finally arrived at the beautiful Aidou manor, an Aidou footman walked forward and opened the door to the carriage and helped the two young women out of the carriage. Kaname climbed out behind them and offered his arm to Hikari to take her inside.

As they were lead through to the huge and extravagant ball room, everyone was rather flustered by the presence of royal couple. Hikari and Kaname walked grandly into room and everyone bowed, the room went silent.

"Please," Kaname said with a warm smile, "Don't let us ruin your revelry."

The nobles stood up straight and the music began to play. As Hikari slipped her arm from Kaname's, Hanabusa approached them. He wore a sharp black suit with a blue cravat. His messy golden hair was shiny and appeared soft. He wore a blue mask which complemented the colour of his eyes.

"It seems that you were recognised, my lieges," Hanabusa said with a gleaming smile. Hikari could not help but smile back. She then spotted Sara and Takuma by the buffet table. She could not mistake Sara's beautiful white hair with its curls and waves reaching her knees. Sara wore a floor length silver dress which had no sleeves. The bodice line dipped down to reveal her cleavage in a sweet heart line. There were tiny pearls embroidered on the bodice and skirt with silver thread. She wore a discreet silver tiara on her head with a heart shaped silver locket on a long chain. Her mask was white with silver trim and a large white feather attached to the side. Takuma wore a black suit with a silver cravat, matching his fiancée. His mask was simple and white.

The beautiful young couple walked towards Hikari and Kaname with happy smiles on their faces. They curtsied and bowed in respect, "Well, it is good to see you here," Sara said, "It's obvious who you are but I won't say because that is the etiquette."

"Indeed," Kaname said. Takuma led his fiancée away to start the next dance. Kaname turned his head towards his young wife, "Hikari, dance with me."

Before Hikari could refuse and tell him that she wanted to dance with Hanabusa, he pulled her onto the dance floor. His hand went around her small waist and pulled her into him, "Lord Kaname," Hikari gasped sharply and tried to put some space between them but his grip was tight.

"Don't fight it," Kaname said stoically, "Remember, we're supposed to be a happy couple."

Hikari gritted her teeth and grudgingly let him lead her in a waltz. She tried not to look up at him, looking everywhere else but at him. She saw Hana dancing with Hanabusa but their eyes met. Kaname noticed this and turned his wife's back to him. Hikari strained her neck in an attempt to keep his gaze. She noticed that Hana was very uncomfortable dancing with him.

"I see you have eyes for another man," Kaname said through gritted teeth.

"You have no room to talk," Hikari hissed.

"So you are jealous," Kaname said, thoroughly amused.

Hikari tried to pull away from him again, "Stop it," she whispered fiercely, "You don't care about me! This marriage is sham!"

People turned around to see what was happening and Kaname backed her onto the terrace, closing the French windows after them, "You can't go shouting the odds off in there! This is a private matter between us."

"Private," Hikari screamed at him, tearing her mask off and throwing it to the ground, "The whole bloody court knows about it! There's no use pretending. Let's face it, I'm just in it for the money and you're just in it because mummy and daddy forced you into it. You're in love with her and you're unwilling to let go of her to let this work. I appreciate that you love her but you're being unfaithful and you said those vows in that church."

Kaname eyed her for a few moments before swiftly walking forward, placing a hand on the back of her head and leaned down, slamming lips upon hers. Hikari gasped and her eyes flew open as she tried to pull away from him. Kaname wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her close. Hikari tried to fight him by keeping her mouth tightly closed, not letting him deepen it.

"If you want me, why are you resisting me," Kaname growled against her lips. Hikari pulled back slightly and eyed him for a few moments before he growled. He took her lips in a fierce kiss and Hikari was forced to kiss him back. Kaname's fangs scraped against her tongue, drawing blood. The hungry kiss made Hikari's body tremble with excitement and she submitted to him gladly.

"Why… are you doing this," Hikari asked breathlessly

"Can't a husband kiss his wife," Kaname answered.

Hikari whimpered as Kaname's lips devoured hers, making the young girl's head spin as desire consumed the young couple. Kaname's hands travelled around her body as their lips caressed the other's lips. What they were not aware of was someone was watching them with saddened eyes.

A/N I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Yes, that was one serious make out but I'm not saying that they are in love. I just want to build the tension between them. Anyway, this story has taken me three days to complete. I haven't had the strength to write. I have been ill with a stomach bug and the flu. I'm a bit better now but the bowl is still within arm's reach.

Please Review!