Chapter 26: A Much-Needed Tête à Tête

by lightpathetic

THE LEADERS did disappear from the Southern Estate by the next morning after the Kiriyuus had arrived, Yuuki taking one look at her troublingly pensive husband and suggesting they go explore their new massive compound in the Capital – apparently it used to be its own religious enclave – and let the Kiriyuus figure out for themselves what they had.

Kaname was soon ensconced in his work and not as obsessive, or destructive, she thought. He did get regular reports, though, which he read during his breaks. He was sorry to be apart from them but what he was close to accomplishing would make up for his absence. He couldn't wait to see their faces when he showed them…

However, they soon began to plan their return, Kaname wanting to see how they were settling in – he was long past caring about a place itself as a haven, having found his happiness, well, in other pursuits – and Yuuki being satisfied enough with the course of the war to want to take a break and see what progress had been made.

Their other motive, of course, was the "small" party of twenty guests they had gotten Shizuka to plan and execute to show off the place. This she had to do along with the renovations over the course of the two months she'd "requested" – she'd demanded three more weeks and hung up the phone. Kaname could tell she felt the pressure of their expectations when he spoke to her. He also thought it was the best thing for her. She hadn't once voiced she was overwhelmed and was, by all reports, almost back to her old dictatorial manner, which he found rather sexy.

"OOOHHH, KANAME…"

Kaname took this as his cue to switch his attentions to the other breast, lavishing the stiffened peak with attention before drawing it gently into his mouth as he swished his tongue repeatedly over it while applying suction. He was also rotating his fingers inside her hot sheath with increasing urgency as it clamped in exhilaration onto his relentless digits, the heel of his palm quite strategically massaging a certain...

"Ah…!" Yuuki tossed her head back as she tried to cope. She could swallow his arm, she was so...

"Did Your Eminence say something?" He'd lifted his mouth to ask, you see, and the cool air assaulted her moist taut sensitive nipple. Yuuki decided he was the cruellest son-of-a-bitch.

"Baby, please…-

"Don't sweet-talk me. When you came in here in this dress to interrupt my work, and sat on my lap, you were aware there would be consequences."

She had been. They'd actually done some shopping for clothing for them all for the party, Kaname having the sizes of the Kiriyuus. When she'd seen the corseted red dress at the couturiers' with the off-the-shoulder straps, she'd begun to plot just this moment.

"Stop talking and…"

"Orders? My hand is beginning to cramp…"

Yuuki growled, pushed away his hand and stood up but only so she could reach his belt and zip. Kaname let his hands swing to the sides of the chair as his wife helped herself to his generous…

"Yes. Oh...!"

"Feels good?" he asked, giving nothing away. Yuuki's answer to was rock hard against him while rubbing her deliciously throbbing nub beneath the yards of red silk. God, he was so deep inside…

"Careful, Mrs Kuran," Kaname whispered against her ear. "I'll make you pregnant if you don't stop fucking me like that with your tight..."

Yuuki moaned loudly as her brows knitted, cutting off her husband. She was coming.

Coming!

"Kan…!"

It was then her husband kissed her and stood lifting her against the wall by the window before sinking himself deeply, repeatedly, inside her convulsing canal, closing his eyes and going in his mind to… his image of her at the house directing some workers in the background…until…

"Uuhh…!"

Until he too began to tremble and cry out into her hair as his being ascended to such heights then fell, taking his lover with him.

"I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THE FORT."

"Sure, Yuuki."

"I'm not."

Kaname put down the dispatches and looked over to where his wife sat in the ornate gold leafed chair that came with the digs, her leg over the chair handle, her dress hiked up, offering a thoroughly distracting view.

Fortunately, Kaname was aware of almost all of his wife's secrets and held up admirably in the circumstances. And yes, including the ones involving Zero.

So, her statement had several motives. But he would pretend he only knew two; her aversion to being isolated and her increasing value of luxury and comfort.

"Yuuki, you know it is dangerous for you to…"

"Stop it! Stop it! You always make it sound like it's for my protection when you just want to have me where you want me: out of the way."

Kaname sighed and leaned back in his chair. The ebony coloured gleaming leather reclining and swivelling to reveal he'd yet to adjust himself as well. A subtle bit of persuasion, or manipulation, which Yuuki's pursed lips showed she was resisting.

"Why? Why must only you have it all? Answer me!"

Kaname thought this overstatement by his Leader was a bit rich.

"Do you want to be the one trudging around in the mud at the Front? Be my guest."

"You know what I mean. Why can't you ensure I live in the lap of luxury too? Why don't you make it so I can live next to a beach, two swimming pools and a fucking waterfall too?"

"Yuuki…"

"And have 'balls'…"

"You can't…"

"I can get used to fine dining, obscene jewellery and silk gowns. They are no better than I."

Kaname said nothing more for a while as Yuuki came to a stop. They simply stared at each other stubbornly.

"There's nothing wrong with having a vacation residence," he eventually said, turning away from her and back to his papers. "We did have a second option over in … It was equally suited and had three swimming pools. It's even closer to our offices…"

"Why waste another place when there's more than enough room at…"

"No. I want one that's mine. We discussed this."

There was the general sense they were not just talking about vacation residences.

Yuuki took her leg off the chair handle and stood, a riot of flowing red material as she paced off into Kaname's enormous equally gold leafed office. Very similar to the apartment they had taken one look at and immediately demanded alternative accommodations. The religious leader that had lived here obviously hadn't been humble. Or sighted. Still, the office, which was also an eyesore, was perfect in size, accessibility and view. Kaname stayed but made a note to have Shizuka redecorate it.

"We did. But that was before."

Kaname said nothing. He didn't have to. It was not negotiable to him. His demeanour hardened perceptibly as he listened. Yuuki noticed.

"Now, I have a healthier appreciation for the finer things in life. I love… the idea of what you are trying to do, Kaname. I never considered it before but I'm happier. I can't see a reason to not be a part of the household you come home to. Especially, as your wife. I wouldn't interfere with what you have. I just want to… share it with you."

"Yuuki, you can't," Kaname snapped. "You are our Leader. You can't just leave our country and take up a life of leisure."

"Don't be absurd! I never suggested I would! Just like you haven't. I just want what you have. So, to speak," Yuuki added carefully, seeing her livid husband's nostrils flare. She was surprised by the apprehension she was feeling given her status. She knew she just had to issue the order. She also knew that would mark the end of the good relationship she had with her husband. Kaname did everything out of duty, admiration and respect. The fastest way to lose all of those would be to betray him in some way. Like she would if she forced the issue.

But she found herself persisting. Simply because she was expressing a wish she'd found herself yearning for more and more. She felt she had to try to see if she could get to share his haven with her. Still, the threat was there, given who she was, that if he didn't, it perhaps would be taken.

Yuuki too steeled her resolve as she looked out on the view of the massive courtyard. It was all at her command. All. Why couldn't she have it? Especially since... This was when her vision of the immaculate landscaping before her blurred as Yuuki let her mind wander to their last night together. She and Zero.

It had been two days before they'd left and she had been feeling… bereaved. She did find their presence interesting. She had her soldiers and the occasional guest when she was in the mood for more direct adulation. But to have someone there to talk to about… anything that came to her in an unguarded and real way was refreshing. She had Zero and Shizuka to thank for that and Ichiru… less so, but she had enjoyed countering his arguments and acerbic retorts with her own when she realized the heavens wouldn't fall if she was challenged.

So, she had gone again in her sleeplessness to his room, leaving Kaname asleep beside her – how predictable to have him there when he was getting what he wanted, she'd thought despondently. He'd opened the door to her as usual, a wry smile on his face as he turned to a side to let her in, then scouring the hallway in case Kaname was lurking in the wings...

"Can't sleep?" Zero asked sympathetically. It was rather obvious by this point.

"Rub my feet?"

Zero had gone over to the bed and patted it. He was really very kind. Maybe that was why it had happened…

Yuuki closed her eyes, took a deep breath and turned back to her husband. She could practically hear the gears turning in his mind. Were they worth making her formidable husband scared and angry?

No.

But her mind kept going to it. His warm grey eyes watching her. His hot body covering hers as he lay next to her. Gently, leisurely stroking her hair and her body as they whispered to each other in the night, she getting to touch his warm, smooth skin, smell his neck.

Nothing much happened. It was kind of the point. She can get sex. He was open and there. Saw her. Smiled at her. Listened to her. Or, at least, was very good at making her think he was.

"Zero?"

"Hmm?"

"I think… I can call you a friend, right?"

"Not for very long, Yuuki. It's three o'clock in the morning and you're keeping me awa…"

"I… take care of my friends."

He'd come up to prop his head in his hand then, suddenly lucid, and tried to look into her face.

"I know what you have with Kaname and you prefer that…"

"Yuuki, it's…"

"…Complicated. I know. I know you're young and Kaname is too…"

"Yuuki. Yuuki, stop it…"

"But I can… take care of you in so many ways if…"

It was then…

Yuuki closed her eyes, again, as she thought of it. It was more to shut her up, but in the night, in her agitation, he'd kissed her, his warm lips snatching her own and then making her forget everything as they explored each other. Those perfect teeth, his searching tongue, his strong neck before he pulled her to him again. Then he'd held her as she'd trembled in happiness until she'd fallen asleep. Against him.

She'd awoken in his bed to see him asleep in the chair. As he always did. She'd wanted to keep him then and there but she knew he was unhappy there, in that place. Oddly, it was then she felt better about letting them go. She would see them happy and them take advantage of the situation.

Like now.

Yuuki opened her eyes and belatedly caught the smile on her face which inevitably followed her recollection of that moment. Her husband was looking at her.

"I quit."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Kaname, I'm serious…"

"So am I."

Kaname got to his feet and fixed himself. Yuuki came over to him but he flinched away from her as he turned to go, not even securing his papers.

"Fine. Take the rest of the day off, if you must…"

"You'd better look at the communiqué on the … offensive because they need a decision by thirteen hundred…"

"What do you…?" Yuuki looked down at the paperwork and then up to the back of her retreating husband. "Kaname, come back here! You can't leave without…!"

"Watch me."

"Kaname, I'm not kidding! Kaname!"

Yuuki did watch in stunned silence as her husband pulled open the enormous white doors with gold inlay they were both in agreement should be fire bombed, and marched past the various office personnel.

"Second Leader, stop! I order you to stop!"

Kaname stopped with some reluctance and turned to face her. He was furious. Coldly so. She wasn't sure he wouldn't kill her if she touched him.

What was it with these people?

"All I'd wanted was…!"

"It's not negotiable. Do you hear me? They're mine. Mine! It's the one thing I want and you will give it to me or I will leave!" Kaname was snarling. Everything he'd had pent up just exploded in one. Yuuki stepped back in terror before catching herself.

"How dare you make demands of me? I'll have you… No!"

Yuuki ran forward and grabbed his hand before he placed the revolver to his temple. It went off and dust rained from the plaster in the ceiling they were thinking of remodelling anyway as someone cried out in astonishment.

For fuck's sake!

"Your Eminence!"

"No!" Yuuki said again as soldiers ran to her aid. "Leave us! Get out! Get out now!"

There was a mad crush as the entire outer office vacated the room but the most senior of her guards paused at the doors to look back at the Supreme Leader as though it would be the last time he would see her alive. However, fighting emotion, he eventually motioned to close the equally atrocious doors.

Kaname was still waiting for her to release his arm. He stood like a statue just meeting her glare, his heaving chest his only movement.

"Kaname, please. I love them too. I'll miss them if you…"

"You can have them when I'm dead."

He was scaring her. This was more than his usual icy temper. That could be terrifying. He'd beaten people to death in minutes in front of her before without batting an eye. But this… He was looking at her with such loathing. That was it. Like she was something disgusting he wanted to be free from. How was this possible after what had just happened between them?

"Okay! You win. Now give me the gun."

"No. I want you to say it out loud. To my face. And. Mean. It."

"They're yours," Yuuki intoned after a moment's hesitation, looking far less dictatorial. "All yours. You can have them. I won't interfere."

Kaname did search her face for a long while before deciding he liked what he saw there and lowering his arm, letting her take his gun. Yuuki replaced the safety and went over to a chair to sit. She was shaking. Shaking…

"My Leader! Permission to speak!"

Yuuki looked up to where her husband stood at rigid "ease", eyes forward, hands behind his back, with some incredulity. He took it as permission.

"My suggestion would be to return to the Fort after the party, Ma'am. For your safety."

"What?" Yuuki grated. Was he threatening her?

"It is protocol, Ma'am. The new offensive would increase the chances of attempts on your esteemed life but I know you won't want to disappoint anyone by missing the party. Ma'am!"

He was right. It was protocol.

It was.

Yuuki got to her feet slowly, feeling as though her body weighed a ton. She placed the gun on the desk beside him and left.

It seemed she had her limitations after all.

"…BUT THE ROAD SEEMED to stretch even further into the distance."

Shizuka stopped at the end of the chapter and looked down at the dozing brunette in her lap. She carefully removed her right hand from stroking his hair - she'd notice an hour before that she unconsciously tended to play with his hair while she read and after removing it and sitting on it, found that the "sleeping" officer awoke, fished around for her hand under her leg and behind and planted it back onto his head, thus communicating his solemn belief that neither of their bodies were off limits to the other.

Now she closed the book and stretched gently, looking around for her sons who had left them to the sunlit hillside and disappeared into the distance the moment Kaname had yawned and lowered his head to her lap, both in the twin all-terrain amphibious buggies Kaname had showed up with yesterday.

Shizuka hadn't been happy, then or now, about the gifts, and she knew she was right when she was shown the helmets. But they did look so happy when they'd tried them, with Kaname showing them how, that she'd decided to tame the full-on panic to a general gnawing anxiety and had actually gotten in beside Ichiru after the plan was hatched to have a picnic on a nearby hillside that overlooked much of the farmland, the household and the valley through which a calm, serpentine trail of water, meandered towards the sea as if not daring to break the peace of these hundreds of square miles of manicured territory.

They had all tried to explore it, staying out as long as they dared – they were all very late back their third day there and, besides meeting up on a rather unamused "search party" during their return, they each had a minder for several days afterwards when they left the house until Kaname was convinced by some very irate Kiriyuus that they were deserved a second chance to behave like "responsible adults" - Kaname's words. But it was huge. Much bigger than their own estate, they were assured. However, what they could reach was impressive. Beautiful. A green, gently sloped heaven on earth.

They had mentioned the limitations of their horses in passing during the "getting rid of their minders" negotiation - tirade. Hence, they thought, the gift of the buggies.

"Why did you stop?"

Kaname rolled his nose from nestling comfortably against Shizuka's yellow cotton covered stomach and his left arm from around her rear as it nestled into the red cloth covered grass, and stretched languidly before opening his eyes, his long eyelashes divorcing his high cheekbones and giving Shizuka another cause for regret.

"The chapter was over and you were quite unconscious."

"I was not. I was listening. I was just resting my eyes."

"Still, I am willing to wager that a snore and a saliva trail, even for you, means that you were beyond the sound of my voice."

Kaname frowned and touched his lips, sitting up and wiping his face vigorously as if he could erase his embarrassment that way. He seemed more astounded than anything.

"…Okay. I may have fallen asleep at some point..."

"That's alright. The world survived without you."

Shizuka moved to get up and stretch her legs but Kaname turned back and stopped her, placing his arm over her lap, his torso against hers, his lips inches from her face.

"Now that we're alone, we should talk."

"About?"

Shizuka met his eyes in a deliberately clueless stare and Kaname chickened out a bit, placing a smidgen of distance between their bodies. He looked around her over the lands as if chasing his thoughts, then back into her clear blue eyes.

"I like what you've done… with the house."

"I know. It's still standing."

Kaname inhaled sharply and then chuckled as he turned and resumed his repose on her lap, again curling his hand around her behind but looking up into her downturned face.

"You've put in a lot of work. Our guests will be very comfortable this weekend. You should have a treat…"

"No more gifts, Kaname!"

"I was thinking of getting you some help. From the old household."

"It's not necessary. I have all the help I need. Besides, this place is so far away, I wouldn't dream of uprooting anyone. Even Seiren had to return to see to a relative…"

"Yes… Well, I thought I would offer…"

"I'm fine, Kaname. I have everything I need."

"'Need.'"

Kaname looked away from her face and again to the surroundings. The area had a healthy rain schedule in the mornings and evenings but during the afternoon it would be a sunlit panorama, like it was now. Still, he seemed frustrated, perhaps with her, perhaps with himself.

"I'm trying to say that I'm happy, Shizuka. With y… with everything you've accomplished." Kaname seemed to correct himself on this last. Shizuka wondered at the struggle she saw on his face.

"I'm glad. I hope the Supreme Leader will be too when she arrives. It would be a shame to become homeless over the choice of lighting fixtures."

Kaname closed his eyes on this statement but soon opened them to look into her face again, when the tension in his shoulders had finally gone.

"You're much like your sons…"

"Or they like me, you mean…?"

"Is that where they get this obsessive need to knock me over when I'm up?"

"Could be. It's only fair. They get their looks from their father."

Kaname smiled at this but only because she was unconsciously playing with his hair again as she looked off towards the river. She was relaxing with him. He loved that.

"What?" Shizuka asked when she'd caught him smiling up into her face.

Kaname hesitated but seemed to win the battle within himself and he shifted a little on her lap to see her face better.

"I was thinking of what you would say if I told you I… used to be bald."

"What?!" Shizuka lifted her hand from his head as if she would hurt something. Kaname laughed.

"You didn't disappoint."

"What do you mean? Is this a…?" Is that why it was so soft?

"No! I should say I wore my head fully shaven for many years."

"Why?!"

Kaname laughed again at her astonished face and resumed relaxing on her lap, closing his eyes again.

"Too many reasons." Kaname didn't elaborate. And in sauntered the familiar awkward silence.

"Give me one, Kaname," Shizuka demanded in exasperation, leaning back on her arms to signify she was on strike from touching his hair until it was provided. And that it had to be good.

Kaname again looked into her face as if gauging her resolve before sitting up and shaking his head vigorously. His hair settled in a delightfully wavy texture onto his head and forehead. He came closer, leaning over her again.

"Death or freedom!" Kaname growled, smouldering into Shizuka's eyes. Shizuka swallowed audibly and fought the urge to cross her legs.

"I… I'm sold…" Shizuka admitted, looking away to inspect the cover of her book in safety.

Kaname laughed and combed his hair back into place with his fingers before resuming his repose.

"I've always hated my hair. There wasn't an upside to letting it out of my scalp. Saved me a lot of trouble just being rid of it. At least there is a bit of grey now to save me from looking like a moody cherub."

"I see what you mean. Between these natural waves I would give my arm for, your good looks and the dimples you must have looked quite angelic as you charged the enemy."

Kaname actually twitched in frustration as if he were thrown back to some inexplicable problem he'd had in his youth.

"Three strikes against any soldier trying to be taken seriously. I am indebted to my sharp hunting knife and the human propensity to spread ridiculous rumours."

"So, you adopted your own personal psychological warfare."

Kaname raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. Shizuka didn't volunteer she was half-way through the "War" section of the library.

"Actually, yes. That and a perpetual week's stubble and I was finally intimidating. I even painted my head with our colours or… other symbols…"

"I'm already picturing the skull and crossbones."

"I'm not a pirate...! No," Kaname added, his scoff dissolving, raising his hand as he closed his eyes again so he wouldn't see her face, thoroughly disappointed he'd walked into that one as Shizuka closed her mouth with a snap. "Don't say it."

There was a fairly comfortable silence until Shizuka continued.

"It's hard to imagine you had trouble being taken seriously. I also can't imagine you being bald."

"That's good to hear. It means my image makeover was a success. My hair's only this long because Yuuki insisted I grow it out. Something about communicating my virility to the people."

"You don't say…" Shizuka had tears of laughter in her eyes by the time Kaname spoke again.

"Are you convinced of my virility?" Kaname asked through a mischievous grin.

"I am. But not because of your hair."

"Now there's a tease of a response. I think I should insist on an answer."

"Tough. You deserve a dose of your own medicine."

"In that case, I'll have to guess my body must have let you know of the possibilities and you are trying your best not to take advantage of me."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"I can't think what else about me. Unless…"

Kaname looked down his body to a fairly ripe situation and Shizuka pushed him off her lap and tried to get up but Kaname was too quick, pulling her back and lying across her legs, propping his head on his hand and grinning from ear to ear. Shizuka shook her head at him as she smiled incredulously. Her expression changed when he sobered suddenly.

"Would you have been as kind to me if I had shown up like that to your door?"

Shizuka frowned in concern as Kaname watched her face intently.

"Of course, Kaname. We're kind to whomever warrants it. At the time we thought…"

"I know… what you thought."

Shizuka became uneasy. Was he accusing her of something?

"I suppose I am grateful for the makeover given… how we got to know each other."

Again, the unnerving stare. Shizuka began to squirm. She tried for levity.

"I doubt it made much difference, Kaname. You can't hide your sultry eyes."

"My… what?" Kaname's mouth dropped open in horror.

"You heard me…"

Kaname threw his head back and laughed.

"Now there's a first…" he said as he patted her thigh.

Kaname loved that they were relaxing together like this. He missed their old times together, pre-reveal, so very much. Sitting in the cottage, flirting quite openly, her legs tucked under her on the salvaged couch, he sitting on the worn rug but resting his arm and head on the seat beside her. He could forget his cares in an instant once he was past the threshold, aside from the pointed questions about the Second Leader's appearance and whereabouts, which he answered in a less than honest manner – he'd even lost count of the number of bulbous facial warts he was supposed to have had. Their conversations was usually cheerful and informative, even in the modest circumstances. It was all the more ironic that in this enormous place or some luxury, his gift to them born of his love and devotion, they were at such odds with each other. And Shizuka was again focused on what she "needed" rather than being carefree and happy. With him.

Kaname soon sobered and watched her face again. He remembered how much he'd loved her smile, her scent… Her. He could have gone farther then, he was sure. It was just… the circumstances had been unusual.

She was an elite and he had been cautious about becoming intimately involved with her. And, of course, she hadn't known… everything about him. He used to laugh to himself in his private moments, thinking of waking up next to her and having to introduce himself formally as he covered her naked body with his own, possibly while still inside... Then he would imagine her face. Her disbelieving smile before it faltered... Would she have pushed him away or merely been intimidated? Would she have shown her fear or... her disgust?

The woman he knew hadn't deserved that sort of trick. But now he regretted it as they seemed so far apart. Regretted waiting. If he had made a move then, he could have built on that. Known her, her body so intimately she couldn't just brush him away, treat him so coldly. Like she'd done since she'd found out about him. And then, there was his involvement with her sons. She'd shifted to pretending he was of such a younger generation she could just pat on the head and dismiss.

Kaname gave her time to adjust. But he was tired of waiting. He never fooled himself he would live very long. He was a soldier fighting a war, after all. Each day was a gift. Then what had happened with Takuma only served to remind him she… shouldn't be neglected. And now, this situation was not ideal for his health for one other very important reason.

He wanted her. He wanted all of her. Now. This all tumbled around inside of him and before he knew it, he'd leaned forward and captured her smiling lips, cupping her neck as he held her to him.

Shizuka caught herself fully appreciating how good his lips felt and returning the kiss before pulling away resolutely as she remembered something very important.

"No…"

"Shizuka…"

Kaname pulled closer, so close she felt the heat of his body through her clothing, and went for her lips again but she pushed at him until he let her go. She stood and rounded on him.

"You really should have gone off with the boys! You must be very bored to begin toying with me!"

Kaname too was on his feet by then, standing a little too still as he watched her back away from him.

"What do you think would have happened if you hadn't found out… who I was?"

"In what respect, Kaname?" Shizuka was irritated by the odd change of subject and it showed.

"To us. We were almost…"

"Don't flatter yourself."

Kaname's mouth did drop open briefly before he caught himself, steeling himself again, his face becoming a cold mask as he watched her, a pure contrast to her agitated pacing.

This, however, was when Shizuka turned and picked up a rock and launched it at his head.

"No! Don't…! Shizuka!" Kaname saved his jawline by a well-timed duck. Shizuka growled and bent for another.

"…Go to hell! I will not be intimidated. You think I don't know you by now? Figure this out you scum!"

Shizuka backed away and threw another sizeable chunk at his legs, using the distraction to send another at his head. Kaname dodged, lifted his shirt onto his arm to shield his face as he ran at her. She was quicker though, cutting to her right into his blind spot before aiming another of her ammunition.

"Fuck! Stop it, woman! Before I…!"

"Go ahead! God! You think I'll touch you under any circumstances? Such conceit! Such a sense of loathsome entitlement! I have scruples, you moron!" Shizuka punctuated this last with two more missiles, one landing satisfyingly on Kaname's head. He turned away from his chase and held his head in pain. Shizuka's eyes were all glee.

"That will teach you! I won't be conquered! Get it! I'm off limits while you're seducing… my… sons!"

"Okay! Now stop it!"

Shizuka did stop, her chest heaving. It was so insulting; she didn't even realise what she'd done until Kaname removed his hand from his face and blood seeped from his hairline.

"Kaname…?!"

Shizuka's eyes were like saucers as she ran to him.

"Let me…!"

"I'm fine! Stop fussing!" he ordered as he bent to let her look. He liked it, you see. Her fussing. "It's a scratch. I'm just embarrassed you actually landed one."

"I see. All you men think I'm a glorified ornament. I've run a farm and raised two boys. Two!"

"I've never thought so, Shizuka."

"Really…!"

"I fell for you the moment you smiled and ushered me into the cottage, making Zero find a chair before you ran to the kitchen for a plate to share whatever was on the table. It was such a contrast to how we are usually greeted I… knew you had value even then.

"I should have made my move then, when I had the chance. Maybe now you wouldn't turn your nose up at me like this."

"Kaname, are you being serious right now? Your head's busted open and you're…"

Kaname grabbed her dabbing hand to still her, to make him look into his eyes. Shizuka watched in horror as another trickle began to form on his forehead. He really should apply pressure…

"Tell me. Is what I do and your sons the only things between us?"

"Kaname…" Shizuka was not sure how to answer. Was he thinking of doing something about her sons? "I…"

"Speak, damn you. You can't be scared of me. You were trying to brain me earlier."

"Come on, Kaname. You're half my age…!"

"God, I hate when you do that!" Kaname rasped, releasing her hand to pace a few steps. "Is that the best you can do? Are you ceding your ground to the ridiculous so easily?"

Shizuka flushed furiously before turning away to walk home. He caught her and pulled her around to face him.

"Leave me alo…!"

"That's your strategy, isn't it? Treating me like your sons' 'friend'? Placing a convenient generation divide between us to keep me at arms' length?"

"You are my sons'…"

"No. I belong to all of you. All. Of. You. I am at your disposal and you..."

"You are insane. You think you can take over just about anything…!"

"That's right. I can. And I accept."

"What?"

"Your challenge. Wholeheartedly."

"You are nuts, Kaname, if you think that I will indulge you in whatever twisted vision you have for us. This isn't some Western fiefdom and I'm certainly not a concubine."

"I think you will find that I will defy any category you try to put me into that doesn't involve claiming you as my own."

"You're a fucking madman!" Shizuka screamed.

Kaname became quiet again studying her flushed features. She was trembling but he wasn't so sure it was him she was afraid of. Shizuka folded her arms and waited. Kaname lifted a hand to cup her cheek then recalled it as Shizuka stepped back and scoured the ground for more ammunition.

"Okay. Wait! Don't hit me again."

"Then wake up from whatever delusion you're having! It's not happening. Understand?"

Kaname turned away and took several deep breaths. He needed to calm down and think. She was fighting too hard to dissuade him. It must mean…

"Alright. I understand. I'm sorry. I mean it!" Kaname ran quickly and enveloped her before he was pelted again, pinning her arms to her sides of her remonstrating form as he lifted her back to the picnic area. "I gave in to temptation. It won't happen again.

"It won't!" he said again as Shizuka began to kick him.

"Do you expect me to believe you after you were spouting such nonsense?"

"Shizuka, I will never force you. Never. You believe that, don't you?"

"No! You're a lunatic! Let me go!"

Kaname set her on the cloth and turned to where he could hear the buggies returning. He took a napkin and wiped at his head as she fumed impotently nearby.

"I'm not so crazy that I can't spot when a battle is lost, Shizuka. Still…"

"What?" She prompted mid-packing. She'd also noticed the noise of the engines. She looked to leave this place and form a reason for her dishevelment by activity.

"Back then, when I had been 'just a soldier' and Zero was away in the field that time I had… helped you with your hair. If I had just lifted you onto counter and kissed you like I'd wanted to so badly… you would have responded. Age be damned. Am I right?"

Shizuka flushed as he recalled that memory. The same one that haunted her. His body was so warm and firm, strong and attractive…

"But you aren't just a soldier, Kaname," Shizuka said finally, cruelly.

Kaname nodded and looked away to where he could now see the buggies heading towards them. He felt his irritation at the interruption, at proving Shizuka right by his lovers showing up just then.

And his elation that she had dodged the question.

Kaname smiled to himself as he held the basket open for her to insert the remains of their picnic, his mind mulling over his favourite subject.

Conquest.

to be continued

lightpathetic wrote this but these are not my characters. They belong to Vampire Knight.