I Do Not Own Vampire Knight (Damn!)

A/N: Sorry For Late Update! RL got the better of me and caused a massive writer's block.

It's over!

Let's GO!

Chapter Five

The Taste of Truth

He waited until everyone filed out of the opulent chamber. The door had barely latched to the jamb before Kaname's aura saturated the room, the oppressive presence pressing against every available surface in the room. Except Zero. The silver haired love of his millennia stood amidst the surge of teeming atmosphere and was not swayed by caressing tendrils of his essence. But that was not the same as unaffected. Kaname could see the glitter of desire that brightened his eyes as they faced off, his aura roiling around them. It only made him more appealing to both the beast that shared his skin, pacing back and forth inside, and him.

He knew that he had to tread lightly here, as he watched the inner battle that Zero was waging against his lust and anger. He could feel the ex hunter's temperature rise with the fight and his hot temping scent rose along with it. His eyes were dark against his pale skin. Skin that was touched by a soft rose, the warm color only adding more heat to the room and they were rounder than they'd been three months ago. Kaname drew a sharp breath, his rage swirling away abruptly to unearth the beating, pulsing desire that thrummed out a rhythm of love and yearning just beneath the thin layer covering all the vital parts of his heart. His mate had always been beautiful but now he was incandescent with it, glowing and ultra lovely in his displeasure. He felt his own anger rise again in response, the of the dagger's trajectory still fresh in his mind. It narrowed his attention down so that Zero was the only thing that kept it. He realized as he stood captivated by the sight, that the dam containing the immense river of his control had frayed and snapped. His mate was too lovely. Too tempting. And he could no longer remember why he'd fought the pull of his attraction for his lovely better half.

The sharp sting of Zero's hand slapping his away forced him back to reality and he realized that he'd stepped closer to his mate, his hand hovering over pearly skin, inches from touching.

"Don't touch me!"

Barely, just barely, he suppressed the urge to growl at the clear challenge in Zero's voice and demeanor and stepped back giving he and his mate a little space. But not too far away. He didn't allow Zero any room to get past him.

"Do you really think that you can keep me from touching you?"

Zero jerked back as if he'd slapped him across the face, the soft color of his cheeks flaring to a harder, deeper red. "Well, since I'm sure that you don't want to make love to a child, I know you won't," Zero volleyed, his eyes narrow with defiance.

A slow smile that curved his lips, heavy with knowledge and Zero flinched as blatant want tightened his body in low places. Kaname took a step forward, regaining the ground that he'd lost, his amusement growing as Zero fought not to step back.

Then he was inside Kaname's immediate space, refusing to be backed down.

"What in the hell has gotten into you?" Zero hissed the question, the amethyst pools in his face wild. "You practically ignore me. You won't drink. You won't fuck me! You've gotten yourself caught up in an assassination plot and yet instead of telling person closest to you, you keep me at arms length. What the fuck is going on?!"

"I was trying to protect you." Even to his own ears it sounded like a pathetic excuse.

Zero bristled like a scalded cat. "I don't need protecting!"

But he did and he just didn't know it yet. Kaname wondered, the thought vague and far away from the tempestuous emotions that rocked the room, if tonight was going to be the night that Zero shot him. Heaven knew that he deserved it. So he kept his voice light, restraining the rage that prompted him to sling Zero over his shoulder and lock him away for good. Instead he tried to soothe.

"You are mine. The one who fits me perfectly in this world. If you don't think that I would do any and everything in my power to keep you from getting hurt you are very, very misguided." The words were matter fact,

"I am not a fucking Damsel In Distress to be rescued!" The words were a shout. Zero scrubbed tense fingers through his hair as he fought for control of his emotions. "You almost died tonight! If I hadn't been there we would both be dead right now. Damn it! Look at the damn cut that you're sporting."

Too late, he realized those were the wrong words. He watched as they registered, watched as Kaname's eyes deepened to the color of blood at the memory, watched his resolution sharpen as fury burned in those eyes in twisting, ethereal flames. His lashes lowered, shielding the tempest for a brief second and for that one instant Zero was free of the hypnotizing lure of his gaze. He twitched in the direction of the bedroom, fully intending to take a breather from this conversation. He wanted to be clean. And far from the vicinity of Kaname who smelled of lust and blood, the long wound still bleeding sluggishly. It hit him hard in the solar plexus rendering him almost irrational as his nose flared and his hunger took a front seat to his anger. Then Kaname's eyes captured him again. Before he could start for the most obvious escape. And suddenly he was unable to move again, the intense surge of feelings directed towards him welded him to the spot, his feet seeming to wear the carpet thin.

Kaname moved and there was no avoiding his hands. They fell on his shoulders like anchors, keeping him in place when he would have fled, jerked him forward so that he was pressed flat against his mate, his sure footing lost. He cursed softly and planted his hands, attempting to shove Kaname away from him. Having Kaname this close was reminding his deprived body what it really wanted. Not arguments and unsolvable disputes but an earthy, bout of sensualism that would shake the stars from his sky.

"You would be dead right now, If what ever it was wanted you to be. I couldn't stop it. You couldn't stop it. What good would it be if you'd died tonight? If that damn blade had found its' target?" Kaname's voice resonated with outrage, each word nailing his annoyance into Zero's skull. "I almost lost you tonight."

And he felt it keenly, like the knife of a cold north wind that cut through thin layers of cloth to needle at the vulnerable flesh beneath. It made him more dangerous, more unpredictable. It pushed him to his most basic instincts, his thoughts as old as the first neanderthal walking the earth. The smothered sound of Zero's protest of his hold was warm against his lips as he finally gave in to his need. The feel of Zero rushed through his body in a wave of sensual chaos, escaping him before he could pull in the reins of his control, amplified by the sweetness of Zero's startled response. But the warm satin of Zero's mouth beneath his and his utterly delicious scent and taste sent a volcano of violent need erupting through the surface of his discretion and he couldn't stop the rough caress of his hands as they slid to Zero's hips to pull him even closer.

The kiss was reminiscent of their first, when Kaname had resorted to sneaking into his room, deep and hard, as if he sought to sink into Zero and meld them into one being. And Zero couldn't stop his hotspur reaction, his marks pulsing painfully with his mate's proximity. He softened, electricity zipping through tender, sensitive nerves in carnal feedback as Kaname dominated. He shuddered with it, his mouth filled with the hot, brand of Kaname's tongue. He tried and failed to stifle the moan of hunger as Kaname sunk even deeper into him, taking over completely, stripping down the barriers that his betrayal had caused, each stroke of his tongue sensually effective. His body lost its angered rigidity as he was suddenly leaning fully against his carnal dictator, unable to withstand the turbulent winds of tempered eagerness that had been absent from their relationship for the past month. It confused and bewildered him and he finally managed to push his mate away by a mere inch.

"Fuck You!" He gasped having separated their mouths, the wet withdrawal of tongue causing him to jerk as it caressed the silk of his on the way out. He wasn't going to let Kaname have his way tonight. He stepped back, hitting the couch in his panic. He had to get away before Kaname obliterated his defenses completely.

Kaname wasn't having it.

Darkness flowed over the room as Kaname's aura swept over him, the pureblood an immovable force. He pushed harder, felt a sense of triumph as Kaname gave way just a bit. He was around his mate in an instant and heading for the bedroom. Kaname was blocking the clear exit so he didn't bother to even attempt escape from that avenue. The hot passage of his King's fingers brushed the skin of his neck as he fled, the warning clear.

What he wanted, he got and what he wanted right now was his one and only.

His gaze touched on the glass double doors that led to a portion of the garden that Kaname had planted years ago. The lock engaged with a quiet snick, tempting him to break fragile glass to get out. But Kaname was gaining quickly, his approach slow and steady, so instead he turned for the bathroom, turning the lock just before Kaname reached him. The grace of white marble gleamed at him as he flicked on the light, his eyes blind to the elaborate marble decor. The bathroom stretched out before him, a portrait of lush affluence. One side was taken up completely by a double sink that glittered with bits of diamond. It was repeated in the black mosaic pattern of the floor. The rest of the room was occupied by black jacuzzi bathtub that was the backdrop for the walk-in shower that he'd insisted on.

Fuck! He began to pace, ignoring the threatening presence hovering just outside the bathroom door. His feelings were tangled and knotted throughout his spine. All he wanted was to go back and submit himself into the hands of the man who didn't think he was strong enough to handle a delicate situation. The man who'd kissed him and then lied with that very mouth. The fact burned twisting inside him in an intricate knot. The betrayal cut deep inside, something he was only able to address now that he was alone. He was wearied. The situation of their marriage had eaten away at him for the last month, slowly destroying the well being that had accumulated over the years that they'd spent together. And yet. Yet…..

"Zero."

The whisper of his name jolted him out of his confused temper. His hand reached for the doorknob automatically before he curbed the instinct to open the door and subject himself to Kaname's yearning. "GO away!"

The quiet click of the lock giving way was his only warning and then Kaname was in the room with him, his body taking up the space. Zero glowered as his mate entered, minus his shirt now. He glided through the doorway like a carnivore scenting meat after years of abstaining, his attention absolute. On him. Seeing no way out, Zero turned from the vision and cranked the hot water faucet so that steam quickly filled the room. It helped him flout the clear demand that Kaname was emitting. He began stripping his clothes, careful to keep his scrutiny on the water now flowing into the porcelain container and off the instinctual creature sharing the room with him. He didn't acknowledge that his heart was beating harder than usual, in fact didn't acknowledge Kaname at all. It was like pulling the cover over your head, convinced that the big, bad monster under the bed couldn't see you. And he was indeed sharing the room with a monster, the beast seething just below his skin. He could feel the dark existence. It permeated the bond that was at the moment pulled taut between them.

Zero entered the shower conscious, as always, of the stygian specter hanging just over his shoulder. He was immediately lost in the cocoon of hot water cascading over his head, the water stinging his small wound. It didn't stop Kaname from silently stripping and joining him. Zero bones stiffened as his mate entered the balmy oasis, his anger overflowing in a sudden tide of acrimony. The outline of Kaname's sleek, silk covered muscles drew his eye, informing him that he wasn't as ready to let go as he'd perceived. The scowl he directed over his shoulder was vengeful.

"Stop stalking me!"

Kaname's eyes were full of dark knowledge and he realized that he was at a distinct disadvantage, naked and wet, the one thing that he would have wished for, for christmas just meters away from his fingertips. With an audible huff he turned and faced the shower head again, relegating his King to the darkest corners of his mind. That only worked for so long before his mind forcefully brought him back to the man that stood just behind him. The force of his presence was overwhelming in his state of mind. And for once he was willing to back down from a confrontation. The last month had taken its toll and he was tired, wearied from the last month of trying to figure out what was going on with his mate. And this on top of that. His King had knowingly walked into an assassination attempt, putting his ideals on the line. To protect his kingdom. That he hadn't seen the need to inform him tore at the ligaments of his heart until he felt that it would fall to the floor, giving Kaname ample opportunity to step on it once again. The surge of anger and distress left him lightheaded for a moment and he swayed before he could counteract the movement.

Kaname's arms slid around him immediately and the shock of his touch jolted through the both of them, the lash of heated need looping through the bond. Zero struggled weakly against the stronghold. But it did absolutely no good for the arms tightened, locked him against his kryptonite.

"Zero." The voice cut through his panic, soft and persuasive, tempting him to just give in. It refused to let him hide in his self pity.

"Leave." He felt the shudder quake the long body surrounding his. He knew the rejection hurt, felt it in the way his mate's aura pressed against the walls. He couldn't quite bring himself to care. He hurt and if Kaname felt just a little remorse then it was deserved.

"I'm not going anywhere." The words were seemingly innocuous, yet the promise of them lingered in the room, infuriating him even more.

"Then I'll leave." He made a short abbreviated movement to get away and it felt like Kaname's arms were steel belts around his body. He became as still as the eye of a storm, fighting the heady rise of his reaction. The long, rangy outline of Kaname's body eclipsed his, the broad press of his chest, the slim cradle of his hips and the rigid length of his cock like heaven to a dying man. And for the life of him he couldn't force himself to keep fighting. Standing under the warm, pounding water, with Kaname surrounding him naked skin sliding against his like silk, the fatigue eating away at his mental and physical facilities, he relaxed fully letting his weight rest against Kaname.

"Did you think I would really let you go?" Kaname's voice was a sensual hiss against his ear, roughened by the merging of he and his beast. "There is nothing in this world or the next that would make me walk away from you or let you walk away from me. Surely by now you know that."

"Surely you know by now that I would act adversely to your lies and secrets Kaname." His voice was flat, lifeless, devoid of any emotion though it leaped through him. "Really. What did you expect? What do you expect from me damn it!"

"Amaya." Kaname's quiet voice cut through his burgeoning outburst. Night Rain. The nickname cut through his temper. The memories of all the times Kaname had called him that crashed into the wall he'd built around the soft, vulnerable inner core of himself. Devine, wanton, delicious memories. A heated flash of recollection opened like a book in his mind, the pages opening to a world of hedonistic pleasure. It transcribed a vivid image into his the neurons of his brain. The first time Kaname had whispered the name in his ear as he'd stood watching midnight rain soak the ground. Right before he'd coaxed Zero out onto the balcony and loved him in that warm rain, sliding his rain slick cock into him until Zero had begged his king to let him come. Kaname had just laughed softy against his throat as he continued to push in and out of him gently, the pace exquisitely slow. All the while whispering to him how he was as sweet as the midnight rain, how soft. Zero remembered how the words had pushed him over the edge. Kaname's voice had been as soft then as it was now.

"Everything I've done was to protect you. Protect our family. I knew anything they sent after me was going to be strong. I knew you would have risked yourself to make sure that I wasn't hurt. But the deepest hurt I could suffer would be to lose you."

Zero turned his head away as Kaname nuzzled his throat, the water falling over them much like the rain had that night. He didn't want to listen to the beguiling words, as they sent another crack racing up his defensive barrier. He pushed against Kaname's grip. He didn't want him to break through it. "I don't want to hear how weak you think I am. I just want to take a shower."

The grip became punishing for an instant and then Kaname unwrapped him. His freedom was brief, however. Kaname spun him around, his hands resuming their hold on his biceps. His black eyes were intense as they always were when Kaname focused them on him."Know this. Everything I've done I would do all over again. It is not a matter of weakness or strength Amaya. It is a matter of protecting my heart. You are my heart."

Zero's look was savage as the words hit home. "Fuck you! You don't get to decide when it's convenient for you to be truthful in this marriage! You don't get to decide how much information you want to dole out. And you don't get to fucking decide which one of us dies! We are equals in this relationship. I am not some weak willed woman to be shielded by you." He turned, taking advantage of Kaname's relaxed grip. He reached for the soap almost violently, intent on washing as quickly as he could and get as far away from Kaname as he could. He hissed as the soap burned the small wound. He felt Kaname tense behind him and then he was facing his mate again, surprise clear in his face as he looked into the rage that transformed his lover's face. Kaname's slim, long fingered hand covered the laceration and the bond between them pulsed with that immense anger. He watched as Kaname visibly contained his fury.

"You need to drink. I'm hoping that you will heal once you do."

"Only when you do," Zero muttered, turning away again. Another sore point for him. "You've neglected to feed for over a month. You need to as well."

Kaname sighed behind him. "Fine. I will feed. But later. I can tell that you are tired."

The towel squelched between Zero's fingers as they clamped down. "No. You feed tonight or I won't."

Silence. Complete silence echoed in the room. Kaname gave no reply, but Zero could feel the tumultuous feelings that rocketed through their private link. He scrubbed the soap over his arms, ignoring the emotions. Either Kaname fed or he didn't. It was as simple as that and he refused to budge. His marks pulsed in sympathy. He wanted, needed to feel Kaname's sharp fangs slid into one of them. It was the only way that the need would be assuaged.

He finished washing and stepped directly under the spray so that the soap sloughed down his long lean body. He didn't look back at Kaname as he rinsed and exited the shower, knowing that his mate wanted to reach for him, wanted to keep him within arms reach. He couldn't quite bring himself to care. He pulled a towel around him. He heard Kaname follow his lead and the dark scent of his soap filled the air.

He rifled through his drawers, picking out smooth silk pajamas, listening for the sound of Kaname entering the room. As always it was useless.

"Why wear them? We both know that when I feed they're coming off."

He didn't answer as he donned his sleep clothing, something that he hadn't done in all the years they'd been married, mindful of his mate's eyes on him. He turned, his throat clear with the top buttons undone. "You can feed like this."

The words hit the bullseye, and he could tell by Kaname's look that he was pushing his mate to his self inflicted boundaries. The same boundaries that had kept him from taking the liberties due him as a husband. That was fine with him. He wanted to eradicate them, raze them until they were nothing more than smoking ruins between them. Kaname slid closer, his eyes resembling the black fires of hell, his glorious nudity nothing to him even as it drove Zero crazy. It was a sinuously fast, gliding slide of power that Zero couldn't escape. Not that he wanted to. He just wanted his Kaname back The one who cheerfully invaded the most private corners of his life, who loomed larger than life, who set himself up so that he was all Zero could see. He met Kaname's challenge with his own, his feet planted.

His nonexistent barriers crumbled the moment that Kaname's large, warm hands cupped his shoulders. He tried to step back, to distance himself from the situation. His mate stood high above him, his blood chocolate eyes penetrating. His voice was hushed as he leaned in close, his lip only a breath's distance from his own, the intensity of his water heated skin soaking through silk. "Do you think that I will simply feed? Do you think that I can withstand my desire to be buried completely in your warm, pliant flesh?"

"You've done a good job of it so far." His own voice was just as quiet, the lines of his face and mouth cast in stubborn lines. He knew how persuasive his mate could be. It was his last paltry attempt at not succumbing to his wiles. He could feel his surrender looming on the horizon as Kaname tipped his head back, forcing him to meet his sensual, half lidded gaze.

"Only because I care about you." Kaname's shoulders lifted and dropped in an eloquent shrug. "But if you are adamant about it….."

The loss of his freedom was a forgone conclusion as Kaname's arms encircled him, pulling him into a warm, fragrant embrace, his lips smoothing over his chin, then sliding down his throat to plant soft, entrancing kisses. He shivered as his response flowed through him like a rushing river. He couldn't stop his hands from rising. They settled on the dip of his king's spine skimming over naked skin, even as he tried to resist. When the elongated canines scraped over the sensitive skin close to his mating mark, heated sensation pulsed up his cock and the soft moan couldn't be held back. The small sound served to completely eradicate the restraints that Kaname held on his already fragile control.

His king groaned and suddenly the edge of the bed was pressing against the back of his legs as Kaname whirled, taking him along for the ride. For one sickening moment the room spun around him. His eyes closed in protest and Kaname paused, his hands softening in his concern as he steadied him with his body. He could feel Kaname's sudden withdrawal and that was worse.

"Please don't, I need…..I need you to feed." It was a pleading murmur, his hands fighting Kaname's departure, clenching against satiny skin. Having what he needed so close circumvented his pride and he let it go, let the need wash it away. His mate tensed under his hands and for a split instant he thought he was going to leave anyway. And then Kaname huffed in irritated surrender.

"Fine, but these go."

Long fingers were working on buttons even before he bent his head in acquiescence. He kept his eyes closed as Kaname expertly stripped him, letting himself fall backwards as his King tipped him back onto the soft mattress. His focus slimmed down, centered on Kaname as lips trailed up the curve of his ribs, settling briefly on the still unhealed wound. He flinched in remembrance, the touch almost enough to shake him out of the wanton neediness that burned with each stroke of skin against skin. The reality of Kaname wouldn't let him retreat now that he was so close to what he wanted. Pleasure slashed through him as Kaname took control of his body, curling long, pale limbs around his waist and shoulders. He relaxed in the cage of Zero's body and-

Zero growled in frustration as Kaname stilled, just resting against him, his breath teasing the tender skin around his mark, lips tantalizing close. Their hearts beat in tandem as they always did, echoing the pulsing of his mating mark. The rhythm was beating eroticsm in his blood and he wanted more. He squirmed underneath his mate, trying push him into action, enjoying the catch in breath as the underside of his silky erection slid over his belly. His frustration turned into triumph and his hands curled through luxurious mahogany locks. He tugged lightly, putting that lusciously sinful mouth where he wanted it.

"Right here," He ordered in a husky whisper. "Drink."

He felt the minute resistance and tugged harder, his legs closing tighter around his mate to prevent him from leaving. "Drink."

He wasn't disappointed this time. Kaname burrowed closer, pinning him to the bed. He sighed in delight at the sharp prick of sharp teeth. And then Kaname was sliding into him, a slow, careful penetration that made him gasp and writhe under him. The first pull bowed his spine off the bed as the discordant bond snapped back into place. His fingers clenched as bliss sparkled through him with the next. Kaname moaned against his throat and the rush of pleasure that he felt was almost a physical thing that danced between them in eager sensuality.

And then Kaname's thoughts began to flow through the wide open bond.

They spoke of love and obsession.

Zero's eyes opened, wild with disbelief.

They spoke of truth.

KxZ

*Peeks over her hands* I know you want to kill me right now LOL. I know, I know I'm good with the cliffys but it's worth it I promise.

Thank You to all of you who faved and followed and Reviewed, sorry it took so long to get this chapter out!

Big shout out:

MissSexyRain

Ben4Kevin

LovelessRaine

ZeamagiriZyenn

SoulReaper Rukia

Just a fan

Sleepdeprivedsoul

Little Shinn

Shushimreading

TwistedNoir

xoxodenisee

Kluna

Angelionfire

ShadowsOfPenAndPaper

Beloved-Soulless

kyoko sato

kanze

ao-mido

Atheist1

God-d-e-ss Eternity

iBunnyxD

Kekeh

And all of the Guests

You are all so bloody fabulous! Thank You!

Until next time….