I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE KNIGHT
A/N AT BOTTOM
LET'S GO!
Chapter Eleven
One Step Closer
He didn't wan't to go home.
Ichiru sighed as he stepped over the debilitated twins, his eyes full of pity as the twins struggled, their wounds healing at a lightning fast rate.
No, it wasn't that he didn't want to go home. He couldn't.
He realized it as the sharp burn of thirst pinched the back of his throat. Aidou would know that he was suffering and press his suit.
Last night they'd turned a corner they could no longer bypass. Aidou wasn't willing to backtrack and he wasn't willing to take that last step forward.
Shit! How had he gotten himself into such a predicament? No, no it was his brother fault. His and Kaname's. He didn't know how they'd gotten Aidou to donate his blood, but he did know now that that one act had sealed his fate. A fate that he wouldn't have imagined in a thousand years. But now he could. He touched his lips. He could still feel Aidou's own against his. In one fell swoop Aidou had destroyed his comfortable, shaky house, swept away the demolished pieces and had begun building a new foundation that was full of him.
He couldn't even say that it was a surprise to him.
Hell no he couldn't. The tall, finely built vampire had made no qualms in the last two years of letting him know that he wanted him and frankly the idea scared him to death. To be taken over and the reins of his life taken up by another set him on a definitive cliff that he could either jump from or cling to discriminately. He felt like clinging now, given his reaction to the noble last night. If Aidou had continued kissing him, he wouldn't have been able to deny him.
Even now the tiny cut that Aidou had opened at his throat throbbed with his emotions, sending pangs of slight, sensual pleasure that he couldn't turn a blind eye to, running through his body. He avoided rubbing at it as instinct called him to, all too familiar now with the results.
When had it all changed? The first two years of their disastrous deal Aidou's facetious demeanor had fallen away, the pensive look in his eyes and his staid posture clear when he'd laid eyes on Ichiru. It wasn't until the third year that he'd noticed another change in Aidou. This time the smiles had come back, but accompanied by an acute edge when he dealt with Ichiru. And he'd relaxed. As if he'd made a decision. As if he were resolved. It was then that he'd made his position in Ichiru's life clear. Ichiru remembered clearly the night they'd crossed the boundary from business to pleasure. Recalled well the look in Aidou's eyes when he'd offered his throat for the first time. How his own face had burned red even as he refused.
Is this what Zero had felt when he'd been cornered and captured by Kaname? As if every stitch of his life was being woven into a pattern not of his own design? Had it made him as frustrated as he was right now? But, bullshit aside he was going to have to return sooner or later. And he was going to have to feed. But not right now. Not tonight if he could help it. He looked up, into the night shaded sky and then back at the twins who were struggling to their feet, their expressions rife with embarrassment and anger. He breathed deep, letting his senses roam the night. He grinned as he found what he searched for.
"Don't worry boys," he murmured. "I think Lord Kaname is on top of that situation."
And he was going to make the best of his dwindling freedom.
And shit, he'd left his sword at home.
In the mood he was in, he figured he wouldn't even need it.
TD
He snuck into the house quite a bit later, one cheek smudged with dirt, silver hair rumpled from the wind and exertion. He was pleasantly tired after the night's escapade, his mind wonderfully blank despite his burning thirst. All he was thinking about was jumping into a hot shower and crawling between smooth, clean sheets and losing himself to the oblivion of sleep…..Except those sheets no longer covered his mattress. He remembered that little detail, not that he'd actually forgotten, as he trudged through the dim lit mansion. It was quiet in the pre dawn, all of it inhabitants either sleep or on their way. It was eerily silent, Kaname's usual overwhelming presence not….Present. That made him pause and he searched the house for Zero's signature. He panicked slightly when he did not find it and turned back the way he came, intent on finding his brother. He startled badly as two enforcers stepped from shadowed corners, blocking his exit. He raised a silver brow, covering his surprise with nonchalance.
"Aren't you two supposed to be off patrolling or something?"
The dark haired vampire to his right gave him a small grin. "We are."
"Someone thought it more conducive that you settle for the day."
"Oh?" He didn't ask who, that would be something of an oxymoron. "Where is the King?"
"I believe I can answer that question for you."
Shit! Damn! Motherfucker!
He really didn't want to turn around. But the two officers were melting back into the shadows, leaving him alone with his predicament. Wasn't that the way it always went? He sighed and turned, bracing himself for the sight of his future mate. See he could acknowledge it at least. Shit! The first chance he got, he was going to speak to Kaname and Zero and personally scold them for their part in this fiasco.
The sight of Hana hit him as it always did, like a two ton hammer across the cheek. He stiffened as Hana's presence shined in the dark vestibule. He was still dressed in all white, his golden hair trailing over his shoulders like liquid glory. His mouth went dry as the desire to run his fingers through that gorgeous hair, over the almost too broad shoulders, and down the trim, masculine body attacked his common sense. So engrossed was he in memorizing the sight that he at first missed the brilliance of blue eyes that practically screamed in anger. And then he felt the cold of said anger and shivered, wanting to avoid those eyes but finding that he couldn't.
Hana stalked forward and he found that he couldn't move to avoid the charge. All he could do was watch as his mate closed the distance and loomed over him.
"Where have you been all night?" Hana's voice was clipped, his words a harsh staccato as they fell upon him. He flinched as the verbal anger got through to him, but refused to back down.
It wasn't lost on him that the burn in his throat intensified with the closer proximity.
"What I do best," he spat in return, his frustration creeping into his voice and making it slightly hard. "Where is my brother?"
Hana growled, "I assume the same place Kaname is."
Ah, and therein lay the problem. A snort of laughter escaped him before he thought about the consequences. "Oh, so you lost your golden boy uh?"
"More like my sliver problem," Hana snapped and suddenly his fingers were wrapped around Ichiru's wrist.
He moved instinctively, as he'd practiced all these years, his body responding to the obvious threat in the air. His fist came down on Hana's wrist as he pivoted, his elbow following, attempting to break the hold. The problem was that Hana himself had trained alongside him, so as he moved so did the blond in a counteractive move that ended with him trapped in the circle of his arms, his back pressed against the heavily muscled chest. The contact sent a charged thrill through his bones. The burn in throat became almost detrimental as his body recognized the feel of his mate against him.
He froze as Hana's mouth lowered to the curve of his neck. The atmosphere changed abruptly from heated temper to lustful temptation.
He shivered as Hana's chuckle warmed his skin. "Finally, my night is going the way I wanted it to."
Too late, he realized that he'd played right into his mate's hands.
Literally.
And from the way Hana's arms tightened around him, he wasn't escaping anytime soon. And his heart didn't want to. His mind however, was a different matter. It moved his body to struggle against his fleshly binds, even as his heart protested the move. It told him that this was where he belonged. To this man, beneath him, under lock and key for the rest of his known existence. And really why was he so against it? The temptation to give in was great, just the taste of a simple kiss addictive.
Then Zero's face flashed in his memory, eyes red and wet with tears. His mate was the cause. Was Hana any different when it came to getting what he wanted? His fear was, the answer to that was a resounding NO.
"You Kiryuu's are so stubborn, running when you're already caught."
"Who's caught?" He taunted, refusing to let Hana get the best of him. "Aren't you the one who's continually chasing my tail?"
This time his mate's laughter contained a sharp edge. "I would see your point but, isn't the nature of prey to be caught?"
He sucked in an affronted breath as Hana's words sank in and cut deep. He wriggled, showing his displeasure physically. "The reason that we're standing in this dark hall in the dawn of the day is that you couldn't catch me." But he was reaching and both of them knew it. Unless Hana let him go he wasn't getting away. As if reading his thoughts, the noble's arms relaxed giving him a little more breathing room but not his freedom.
"I'm not going to fight you on this Ichiru. You're mine. How many ways would you like me to demonstrate?"
"Actually all I want to do is take a shower and get into bed."
"That can be arranged as it follows my plans exactly."
"Wha-"
He didn't have time to get the words out. The ground tilted as he was lifted and slung over Hana's shoulder. The move was so quick and casual there was five-seconds of lag time before he started to protest. And five-seconds was a lot of time for Hana. He cursed as all the blood flowed to his head, leaving him dizzy. His fist struck Hana's lower back with no reaction. His anger and his position served to disorient, a ruthless tactic that hammered home who he was dealing with. He struck again. Again to no avail. Apparently Hana's back was just as hard at the shoulder digging into his stomach. He was too angry to be amazed at Hana's highhandedness, that would come later. Everything not having to do with Aidou Hanabusa flew out of his head. No doubt just what Hana had set out to accomplish.
"Bastard," he groaned, planting his palms in the middle of the corded back, trying to push up. A cry of surprise flew out of his mouth as a large hand landed squarely on his upturned bottom, the sting of it stopping his struggles for an instant.
"Shh," Hana ordered, "or do you want to disturb everyone in the house?"
"All you're doing," he gasped, nauseous as he bounced with Hana's long strides, "is proving my point."
"And what point would that be?" Hana murmured silky, not showing any remorseful inclinations.
"That you are a jerk," he ground out between clenched teeth only concentrating on not throwing up now, his eyes closed tightly so that he wouldn't see the swaying ground. How fucking big was this place anyway? It felt as if his brain was coming out of his ears. Finally there was the blessed sound of a door opening and Hana was allowing him to slide down his body, the muscled contours interlocking with his curves. He blinked as his blood returned to its rightful place, then he leveled murderous eyes at Hana. He was surprised that Hana's skin didn't bubble and slough off his bones, his eyes felt so hot. To his further infuriation, Hana's sensual mouth curved upwards in triumph, the passionate challenge in his eyes stoking a sudden, melting warmth deep inside him.
"So feisty." Hana's voice was as tangible as his look. "I love how easily I can ruffle your feathers." He paused, his hand pressing against his lower back, meshing their bodies together. "How easily you to respond to me."
Still trying to regain his equilibrium, Ichiru was waylaid by the energy that flowed between them. It was like laying in a sun filled glen with the hint of winter on the air. His hands wrapped around massive biceps and he regretted that move instantly as the muscles bunched and smoothed under his fingers, an obvious reaction to his touch that only made tee warmth inside him flare to heated rigidness. He flushed knowing that Hana could feel his arousal and averted his eyes and contemplated a bid for escape. He decided that it wash't going to go over well and forced himself to relax.
Hana sighed at his response and tightened his hold.
He bit off a groan as the hot, clean smell of Hana surrounded him, seeming to sink into his very pores until he was sure that Hana would be the only thing he could smell again. His thirst became a ravaging fire. Hana smelled….Delicious was the only word that came to mind. It made the thought of another donor foolish and hammered the last nail into his coffin.
Not that he was going to let Hana know that.
His mind wandered to his first kiss, given by Hana the night before and his own reaction to it. He squirmed in discomfort as the memory mingled with the reality plastered against him at the current moment. Yep, it seemed he was a goner if his reaction was anything to go by.
"What is it about me that you hate?"
"Huh?" In his present pose he couldn't raise his eyes to Hana's, his eye level at the golden expanse of throat that seemed to burn in his retinas he as imagined the hot sustenance that flowed beneath the silky skin. But not being able to see Hana's eyes didn't distract from the hurt in his voice. No, that came through loud and clear. It brought a new reaction to the fore, confusing him.
His nails latched onto vulnerable skin as he fought the need to slide his arms around Hana's wide shoulders and pull him even closer. "I don't hate you," he mumbled embarrassed. "It's just wasn't on my agenda to be anyone's mate and to have that option taken from me…I would be reluctant with anyone."
"I'm not anyone." Hana's voice was like grated gold.
And then he didn't have a choice as the noble eradicated the last minuscule distance between them.
"And neither one of us had the chance." Hana breathed deeply. "Not since the first night. Damn the smell of you almost drove me crazy. It's driving me crazy now. It's all I can do not to drag you to the nearest bed so that I can get you beneath me in any position we can think of. I want to drown in you. I bet it would be the sweetest death."
The words were oxygen to their fire and Ichiru's temperature boiled. "Don't say such things," he admonished. The sweet words carved themselves into his heart and took root, undermining the wall he'd erected. They made him want to fall into Hana and give all of himself wholeheartedly. And down that path lay a madness that he didn't relish embroiling himself in. He squirmed some more. Hana didn't take the hint, his arms remaining steadfast around him.
Finally he sighed in resignation. "I want to take a shower."
"And feed," Hana tacked on, running roughshod over his refusal. "You're not getting out of it tonight."
He wasn't getting out of anything tonight. He read his demise in the aura that weaved throughout the room. Hana's stance was unmovable, unshakable. Even though he knew it was useless he tried anyway.
"I'm not ready, maybe I should get another donor for the time being, until I can sort-"
The callused tips of Hana's fingers tunneled into his hair, gripping, yet another connection that linked them. Ichiru inhaled sharply as Hana, guided his mouth. His lips skimmed soft skin and Hana's smell saturated his nostrils. His hunger sharpened frightfully and his skin felt as if it were choking his bones. His inner alarms sang in warning.
"I will kill anyone who touches you." It was chilling, how serious Hana's voice was. He was usually suave, but now there was no play to his voice.
Ichiru pushed, slightly panicked. "Please give me some space. I need to think a moment," he huffed.
Unexpectedly Hana did just that. He took several steps back, until he was able to look right into glittering, intense eyes that would have shamed the brightest of sapphires. His mate's eyes were radiant in his desire, his look intense as Ichiru studied him in return.
"The only one who gets to feed you is me." Hana wasn't wasting words on him tonight. His words, like his need, were stark and upfront. Plain as day. "The only one who gets to see you bared is me." His eyes roamed down the long, slender length of his body, warm with appreciation. "I couldn't stand for anyone other than me to touch you. I would demolish every road except the one that led back to me." Ichiru shuddered to think about what he meant when he said, 'demolish'.
He was crazy. Ichiru swallowed roughly. Hana was crazy about him. It was fanatical. Obsessive. And just a little sweet. Hana was holding nothing back from him, his every intention an open book in his eyes. He saw his fate in those eyes. He didn't have a choice. In Hana's mind he was his all ready, the mating bond a forgone conclusion. Hence the reason he was being so patient with him. He couldn't change it. Hana was never going to let him go.
He began to pace, a frown turning his mouth down in an adorable pout. Hana followed hid fluctuating trajectory like a cat anticipating its pounce. .
"What if I tried?" He offered softly. Hana heard nonetheless. His wide, tantalizingly curvaceous lips lifted, his smile smug. He licked his own in response, Hana's scent still sharp in his nose. He trembled, overwhelmed by his reaction.
"But I can't…..not tonight-"
"Shhh." Hana hushed him. "I will not fully join our bodies tonight, but I will look. And I will touch. So go take a shower." Abruptly he looked away, breaking their connection, freeing him.
"I will."
He turned and stomped into the bedroom. Damn it! It was just like Zero. Hana had mesmerized him. He could definitely see what Zero had to deal with. He imagined what would have happened if his brother had denied Kaname. Most likely a bloodbath. He was going to have to apologize to his brother later. In the meantime he paused to study the bedroom laid out before him, not having seen much of it what with being carried in during his sleep and yanked out of it by his brothers angst.
The walls and floors were and tasteful, understated cream, inter sped with blue. The bedspread, the curtains that covered the windows. The blue was dissected with silver and small swathes of amethyst. The furniture was shining honey oak. It was obscene. A mixture of he and Hana that couldn't be overlooked.
"Your clothes are in the closet." Next to mine. He didn't say it aloud. He didn't have to. Ichiru made a big show of checking out the drawers and found that a full set of them held his more casual clothing. He grabbed a set of pajamas and made for the bathroom, leaving a smug Hana behind. Pale marble, threaded with gold made up the nobles bathroom, every piece ornate history. A large shower opened to a creamy sunken tub that looked like a mini pool. The sink and its fixtures were done in molten gold. Ichiru ignored all of this as he turned the taps in the shower, releasing a spout of hot water. His thoughts were still in the bedroom with Hana. What had he just agreed to? Nothing. He'd had no choice. That wasn't an agreement. That was tyranny. And all his rebellion amounted to nothing. He could fight Hana all day long and it would get him nowhere. Yes, he definitely had to apologize to Zero.
He stepped under the pounding water and attempted to let it soothe him. No use. He could feel Hana's aura pulsating hungrily, reaching for him. Hungering for him. It was a total depiction of what Hana felt like. It scared the shit out of him. Just what had he agreed to? He grabbed the bottle of liquid soap off the shower ledge and nearly moaned as Hana's scent filled the shower. Shit! He just couldn't get a break.
Frustrated he washed and stepped out onto a pale rug. He was surprised that Hana hadn't joined him. And relieved. He didn't think he could handle Hana right now. What are you going to do when you walk back through that door? Make a run for it? He answered his subconscious. Laughter answered. Like Hana was going to let him do that. And unless he was wailing to hide in the bathroom then he was going to have to go back out there. Nerves and anticipation curled in his stomach. Eyes wide and wary on the door, he slipped on the pajamas. He stared at the door as if he had x-ray vision and all of the answers to the mysteries to the universe were behind it.
And he was getting no where. If he waited too long, Hana would come in and get him. And he wasn't a coward. He squared his shoulder and reached for the door knob, grasping it firmly and flinging it open before he chickened out.
Hana was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting, his clasped hands hanging between his knees, his bright head bowed. It raised when he came through the door, and once again those blue, blue eyes were unwavering. He stopped on the threshold, the import of his decision hitting him right in the gut. When he'd said he would try, he'd meant that in the faintest sense of the word. Hana had taken it to mean that Ichiru had delivered himself tied with a bow. Their eyes locked, silent emotion sparking between them. Finally, Hana stood, eclipsing the room. He gestured with a finger and Ichiru found that his feet wouldn't stay on the ground. He stepped forward into the shining aura that , his heart jumping. It banged against his ribcage so hard he was sure that Hana could hear it.
"Why are you so scared of this?"
The noble smoothed a hand over his hair, his touch hesitant. The gentleness of the touch surprised him. Hana was always so forceful with him.
He drew a shuddering breath. "I'm not scared of you."
"Then why is your heart beating so loud?"
He didn't have an answer to that that wouldn't be a lie so he kept his lips pressed together. Awareness made him lightheaded. His glanced to the bed and back to Hana, his eyes wide.
"You know it took me a few years to look at you and not see Zero," Hana stated softly, his fingers slipping down to entwine with his. "For years I resented needing someone with the face of someone I hated." He led Ichiru to the bed. "I'd hated him for so many years for taking Kaname's attention. And then I saw you two together one night. It changed my view of him. He obviously loved you and I could see what had driven him to make the decision he had. That was the first night I respected him. He'd made a split decision in the heat of battle and carried it out without wavering." He knelt, locking their eyes again. "I envied him for that. For making a decision and carrying it out. That decision made it possible for you to be in my life. And for that he will always have my unwavering loyalty. But even that pales in comparison to what I feel for you. I told myself that I would never hesitate if you gave me the chance."
He didn't even notice the fingers that played over the buttons of his pajama top, intent on the words.
Hana took advantage, pushing the silken material over his shoulders."Let me have you. I won't hurt you."
No, he wouldn't hurt him, just take him over. Completely. Make sure that he wouldn't have a life outside of him. Deceive him in the name of love. He grabbed Hana's hands, stopping them mid motion. "Would you deceive me? If you wanted something I did not, would you lie to me to get your way?"
Hana paused, "Why would you ask that?"
"Zero is pregnant and not because he wanted to be." Ichiru announced sourly. "Kaname knocked him up without his knowing." Sudden tears sprang to his eyes, wetting them. "Would you do that? Would you take even that choice from me?"
Hana barreled him back onto the bed, his eyes hard, the temperature in the room dropping. "We are not Kaname and Zero. What happens between them is their own business."
But the question remained unanswered. "Shit!" Hana was no different from Kaname. If he thought it was in their best interest he wouldn't stop to think it through, he would just carry out his own agenda regardless if Ichiru agreed with it or not. "This is why I don't want to mate with you! Get away from me!" He sat up partially, as much as Hana would allow and pushed on Hana's shoulders. It was like pushing against a steel column.
Hana growled and suddenly a hand was pinning his shoulder to the mattress. "I won't ever let you go Ichiru. It doesn't matter what Kaname did."
"It does if h-"
Hana's mouth stoppered his words and the world narrowed down to his mate. Thoughts of Zero and his predicament were swept from his mind as it was filled with Hana. The latent energy swirled over them coalescing into flammable sensations. Ichiru couldn't stop his moan as Hana's lips slanted over his. Just that touch and his body was going haywire, softening, allowing his mate his way. White heat shot through his limbs and he jerked as a tongue filled his mouth, ravenous for the taste of him. It was angry, more about dominance that actual seduction and his body responded anyway, cock twitching beneath fabric and elastic. Hana breathed for him, exploring the tender groves of his mouth, leaving behind the sensual taste of himself.
Ichiru clutched at his long hair in panic, his body betraying his words. That only spurred the noble on and he sank even deeper into him, sparks of pleasure sparking where their tongues met, the surge of Hana's lips over his, matching the tempestuous sway of his aura.
Hana jerked back suddenly, pulling him up. He rose to his feet, a graceful display of raging momentum. He was panting hard, his eyes red, his tawny hair disarrayed and tangled on his shoulders. "I'm not Kaname! And it gets tiresome to constantly have our relationship compared to theirs."
Ichiru flinched as the bedroom door slammed shut, Hana having stalked through it. He touched the bruised skin of his lips. They felt as raw as his heart which as no longer racing but plodding slowly in dread. He'd never really seen Hana angry before. Hana had never walked away from him. Ever.
"Shit," he breathed.
TD
Oh wow! That chapter did not come out as I intended LOL! Thank You for all of your reviews, faves, and follows! Though some of you didn't like my KaienSeirenYagari pairing…..Sorry, I've never traveled the beaten path and I quite like that threesome!
Until next time…..!