I Do Not Own Vampire Knight

A/N Thank You to my Lovely Beta: LovelessRaine Who kept me on track with this Chapter!

Let's Go!

Chapter Two: Avoidance

"How did you find us?"

Kaname asked the question softly, only a hint of censure in his voice as he faced the small vampire delegation. He was standing in front of Zero with Cross, Toga, Aaron, Yuki, the newly implanted hunters and the night class flowing behind him. His inky eyes glimmered with the reflection the pale, shimmering moon, his stance defensive. It was obvious the recent calamity involving his mate wouldn't be forgotten so soon. Zero gave a huff of annoyance as he looked around his shoulder. As if he needed to be protected. The pureblood hadn't let him out of his immediate sight in weeks. It would be a long time before he trusted any vampires around his mate. Hell, hunters too for that matter.

Takamura Ryoji, having come to the same conclusions, lifted his hands in a conciliatory gesture, a friendly smile turning up the corners of his mouth. It faltered slightly as his eyes touched on the scene behind them, taking in their continuous efforts to repair the Association Headquarters.

"It was not hard to deduce where you would be." His eyes flickered to where Zero stood behind him.

Immediately the air around them tightened as Kaname's aura rose in threat.

Takamura was quick to reassure him. "We are not here to war with your mate or your mate's people. Instead we come to offer peace and an alliance. The peace that you seek. We know that you are seeking members to make up a new council. However," He waved his hands to those standing with him. "We have decided that we want a sovereign to rule, to lead the council. Someone who will take all sides into account." He looked at Zero once more. "It is obvious you will do that. We want someone who will make decisions not just based on the greed for power. Someone who can be ruthless when needed not just for the sake of being so."

Kaname laughed and it was a scornful sound in the night air. "Who says that I don't want power? I believe that you are asking the wrong person."

Zero reached out and touched his shoulder softly when he would have turned away in dismissal. Kaname turned to look at him, his mien severe.

It is fitting that the President of Association would be mated to the King of Vampires

His inner voice was smug, his look daring him to refuse.

Just think, the two of us ruling. What would that accomplish for the vampire and the hunter world?

I think that you have too much power over me.

Kaname returned his attention to the where the cabal clustered together, waiting. "I see only nobles and lesser ranks," He commented curiously.

"Not just us. We are only a portion of your supporters," Takamura paused meaningfully, "Though not all of the purebloods supported this decision, but enough that we would make you our King."

"And you would accept Kiryuu Zero as my royal consort?" His words said plainly that if they did not, he wouldn't.

Takamura smiled. "We expected nothing else."

He kneeled on one knee, and as a whole, the delegation followed him…

He woke from the dream of a memory, warmly ensconced in his Kings's arms. He was pressed flushed against the pureblood, a leg slung over his hip, his robe tangled around the both of them. Kaname's fingers were threaded through his hair like a tight seam, unwilling to let him go even in sleep. His nose was nestled in the hollow of Kaname's throat and his delectable smell reminded Zero that he was famished. He thought briefly of food and discarded the idea as he lacked any interest in it. Now the smell of his mate tantalized his nose and his fangs tingled. He sniffed and snuggled closer, luxuriating in the thought of sinking them deep and the result that would follow. The need was so extreme that he concentrated on it, recalling the last time he'd drunk from his mate. With a slight shock, he remembered that it had been only the night before.

His brow wrinkled in thought as he realized that a night hadn't passed in the last month when he hadn't drunk from his mate. That in itself was peculiar as neither of them had had to drink from the other every day since the day they'd completely bonded. But each night that he'd woken he'd been ravenous and only Kaname would do. Thinking back on it know he also realized that he'd hadn't eaten any food what so ever. And the more he drank, the less Kaname did. He wondered just what in the hell was wrong with him.

"Hungry?"

Kaname's amusement melted him from his thoughts and he opened his mouth to deny it, thinking of how hungry his mate should be. Kaname's fingers locked in his hair like a cinch as he guided Zero's mouth to the thin skin over his pulse.

"Drink. I can't have you unfocused at the party tonight. I won't have you unprepared."

"Damn it Kana-"

"Do you really want to have this argument right now?" Kaname asked, voice still husky from sleep. "When you're so hungry?" He pulled, stroking Zero's lips across his throat.

Zero struggled against his iron hand, the heated scent of his consort quickly overcoming any other thoughts in his head. "Damn, you overbearing, cocky son of a-" The last part of his derogatory sentence ground to a halt when Kaname yanked his head up, giving him what he'd so craved the night before. The velvety softness of Kaname's sliding, dominating mouth turned his feisty anger into melting capitulation. He softened in his mate's hands, sighing in appreciation as the delicious taste of him saturated his tastebuds. The sensation of the hot, supple tongue sliding against his, teasing the soft contours of his mouth was somehow satisfying, filling his sensory levels to capacity.

Just that quickly his fighting ire was subdued, overtaken by the needs of his body. His body was at stiff assiduity, each nerve clamoring for the touch that he yearned for. Solar flares of heat burned the length of him as he let his hands slip up Kaname's stomach to his chest, mapping the lines of his muscles in delight, stroking gently, familiarizing himself with the feel of his mate all over again. Excitement burst under his skin as the hunger was overrode by sexual awareness.

Kaname hissed into his mouth as his fingers brushed against his nipples. And then he was detaching his mouth, tucking Zero's at his throat again, much to his disappointment.

"Drink."

He bit down without thought, the heady sensual kiss and his mate's enticing scent undoing him. He whimpered as the savory nectar poured down his throat. As usual, the taste Kaname hit him like a runaway thief, stealing away cognitive thought. Just as his mate wanted. He became pliable putty in his mate's experienced hands, fusing into him in surrender.

He drank in long, leisurely draughts, sinking into the bond, reveling in his mate's happiness as he imbibed. All the while he caressed his mate with roving hands. In the dim haze of feeding, he felt Kaname remove his hands smoothly, drawing them up until they were wrapped around his neck. He frowned through the sensuous river that he tumbled in, trying got break through the surface.

"More," Kaname urged as he tried to pull away, his hold keeping him right where he was. "Don't be so stubborn. You've pushed yourself too hard these last weeks." The deep, dark voice vibrated within him and he groaned against the satin flesh and drank more. As Kaname wanted, his doubts slipping away despite his own wants. His engorged erection rose proudly. He undulated sexily, trying to tempt his mate into doing what he wanted. He removed his fangs from Kaname's neck.

"Make love to me." He whispered the demand, fully expecting his mate to acquiesce to his needs. He blinked in amazement when Kaname withdrew from his completely, leaving him with a soft peck on his forehead.

"Not tonight, Zero. You know once I start I won't be able to stop and I have to take care of some last minute details before the tribute."

Zero fell back against the pillows languorous from the feeding, watching his mate beat a hasty retreat from the bed, amazed that he could deny him when his desire was so obvious. Fledgling anger rose in him but his body was too relaxed to take him up on it. All he could do was observe as Kaname made for the bathroom as if the hounds of hell were nipping at heels. He made his displeasure known as he let the bond open fully between them.

What in the hell is going on with you?

I told you, the tribute is tonight and if I-

I know what you told me but you've never deni-

Tonight is not the night to have this conversation! There are bigger things going on besides your desires! The support I need for my army is resting on what happens tonight! The factions are trying to tear down my regime as we speak! You know tonight is very important! Now I'm taking a shower, get more rest if you need it.

There was truth in his mate's voice, but he couldn't help but think that Kaname was avoiding something even deeper than the uneasiness slowly crumbling the empire he was trying to build. Something more personal that his pureblood didn't want to discuss with him. He made a pact with himself to dig a little deeper once this infernal tribute was over and he could get his mate alone for more than five minutes. It really didn't help that his mind and body were of an accord with Kaname. He really was tired, even though he'd just woke. He let his eyes close. Just a few more minutes…and when Kaname got out of the shower they'd discuss this a little…..

He blinked, looking up in surprise as a concerned Yuki hovered over him. Her small, slender hand cupped his shoulder.

"Finally! I've been trying to get you to wake up for the last ten minutes! You sleep so hard." Her full, scarlet lips pursed in agitation. "Hurry up! The tribute will be starting shortly and Kaname wants you there soon!"

Speaking of which. "Where is Kaname?" His voice was rusty and it was obvious he'd been asleep for more than a couple of minutes.

Yuki straightened, her rotund figure resplendent in fire red, the long lines cupping her pregnant form lovingly. "He went ahead. There were some last minute things he needed to take care of. He sent me to wake you up and help you get dressed."

He ignored her, turning over onto his side, settling deeper into the bedding. "I'm not going."

"What in the hell do you mean you're not going? Everyone is expecting you!"

He shrugged, unconcerned. "So? I'm not feeling well. I'm tired."

Yuki hesitated. "What do you mean you're not feeling well? Have you been working nonstop again?"

More like he was feeling petulant. He remembered just what he'd fallen asleep on. And the the bastard had just left him here! He had a few choice words for his mate when he saw him again! "It's nothing. I'm just tired. Let Kaname handle it." His voice was tempered with sleepiness and resentment. He felt like a toddler not getting his way. But dammit! He wanted to have sex, not attend some boring party surrounded by equally boring vampire subordinates! "I'm sure Kaname would understand."

Still Yuki didn't move, nonplussed by this side of Zero. "What do you mean you're tired? Vampires don't get tired unless they're-" She halted in mid sentence as a firm knock sounded on the sturdy wood of their door. They both turned to look as Aaron entered, clad in a shining white tuxedo. He filled the room like the sun, his blood red hair radiant in the low light of the room. He moved purposefully towards the bed, a determined look on his face.

"Kaname told me you would still be here. Get out of the bed President, the tribute is going to start soon."

"Not you too!" Zero groaned into his pillow. "And when did you become Kaname's lackey?" He asked fractiously. He wished they would all just leave him alone and let him get the rest he needed. It was completely lost on him that he'd gotten a full days sleep and then some. All he could concentrate on was that his mate had left him alone in his needy state.

I'm going to murder him!

His body agreed with him wholeheartedly, still pulsing with the feeling of curbed desires.

Yuki turned to Aaron in relief. "He says he's not going!"

"Ah, we can't have that can we?" Aaron stopped at the end of the bed. "Everyone is expecting you. Think of how unhappy Kaname would be if you didn't show."

Zero stared at him in disbelief. One of his own hunters! But come to think of it, Aaron did spend more time at Kaname's side, being part of the council and all. But when had the pureblood and the hunter become so chummy? Even sending the hunter to do his dirty work? He glared at the tall, crimson haired man. "Why is my presence needed? They're all here to see Kaname anyway."

"Because you are the President of the Hunter's Association." Aaron explained patiently. "The two of you together present a united front. Something Kuran needs right now as well as the Association. Every one needs to know that you stand firmly together."

Zero couldn't argue with that, but it was with much cajoling, and threats of Kaname's displeasure on Yuki's side, that they got him out of bed and dressed in his own glowing white tuxedo. His silver hair brushed the collar of his jacket, and his diamond bracelets were a discreet gleam among the blinding cloth. His lilac eyes glittered bright in contrast to his pale skin, giving him a slightly ethereal look. He gave his reflection a cursory glance as he turned to where Yuki and Aaron stood waiting. Yuki beamed at him.

"You look fantastic!"

He didn't feel fantastic. He gave the bed one last look of longing as they ushered him downstairs and into the car, his temper not at all subdued. When they pulled up to the new demesne where the Vampire King and the council handled all of their affairs, his disposition hadn't improved one bit. The entire ride had been full of Yuki's chatter, his surly replies and Aaron's watchful eye on him the entire time. When he entered Kaname's private office, where his pureblood was waiting for him, a storm was brewing noisily inside of him. Kaname stood behind his desk murmuring quietly with Cross. He was a dashing, mouthwatering work of art in his own tuxedo, the expensive material fitting his broad shoulders and trim shape like a loving second skin. His lustrous chestnut hair falling away from his handsome face in sleek waves. Toga and Seiren lounged on a couch nearby As angry as he was, he didn't acknowledge them as he stomped up to the desk.

"Get out."

Kaname turned, observing the blazing purple eyes with no trepidation in his own. Not breaking eye contact he nodded discreetly to the other occupants of the room. They vacated the room with prudent speed, his demeanor promising terrifying retribution. Kaname's brow raised with studied calmness.

"Now that was rather….rude, don't you think?" The pureblood king questioned, voice placid.

"Do you think I give a damn?" If only he could keep his own so still. But it seethed with frustration as he tried to glare Kaname down. His hands curled into strained fists at his side, his chest pumping in his agitation. "I want a fucking explanation."

Kaname's expression was contrived innocence. "Zero you-"

"Do not. Give. Me. That tired. Bullshit!" He snapped over his mate. "I am not going into that party until you explain what in the hell is going on! You pull away from me whenever I try to get close to you and you haven't drunk in days, even though you keep pushing me to! So I will ask you again. What. In. The. Hell. Is. Going. On! And don't even think about answering me with another lie!"

With each word of his tirade, Kaname's face became hard, as if he were built of marble, body still with that frozen stoicism only vampires could effect. His silence told Zero that he wasn't going to answer. Fury turned the room around him into bloody description. "Fine. Don't tell me. I'm going home. When you're ready to talk you can see me there."

He turned smartly on his heel and rammed into Kaname's chest.

Shit!

He'd forgotten how fast Kaname could move. Kaname leaned over him, clapping a hand down onto the desk to entrap Zero between it and him. He crowded his unruly mate back against the solid slab of wood, breathing softly against his hair as he sought a place of tranquility. The words of abuse that Zero was prepared to heap on his pureblood fled as Kaname's body hummed with tension where it lay over his. His nearness was disconcerting, distracting in his present state of mind. But Kaname's next words let him know they were not on the same line, page or even in the same book.

"All I see is a child throwing a temper tantrum because he is not getting his way." Kaname breathed, the words as soft as a newborn's down, his lips tracing a gentle pattern over his temple. "But tonight is not about you. The peace of our kingdom partly rests on what happens tonight and I cannot believe that you would jeopardize that in pursuit of carnal desires, when we have the rest of our lives to indulge in that."

Stung, Zero placed his hands to push his mate away, tendrils of hurt stabbing at him.

Kaname just pressed closer, forcing him to stay where he was. "Now, you can walk into that party of your own accord or I can carry you in over my shoulder like a petulant child. Which is it going to be hmmm?"

Though he hadn't raised his voice throughout his ultimatum, Zero could feel the dangerous exigency in his tone. He knew Kaname would do just as he threatened. Mulishly, he refused to answer or look at his mate. Kaname felt his tempestuous compliance anyhow. He stepped away straightening his jacket with graceful gentility, offering Zero his arm.

"Shall we?"

Zero ignored this, plastering a cold smile on his face as he moved around Kaname, his stride stiff with acerbity.

He wondered how he would make it through the night with out exploding and shooting someone.

KxZ

ooooh! Harsh I know! It hurt my feelings to write this chapter!

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