I Do Not Own Vampire Knight (Oh Damn!)

A/N At Bottom

Let's GO!

Chapter Sixteen

Prize

"You're being unreasonable."

Ichiru didn't acknowledge the comment in anyway, nor did he slow down. He didn't want to give his mate any opening to touch him or try to overcome his temper. In truth it wasn't a true temper at all. He was hot. Burning, his body thrumming and throbbing in rhythm with his heart. He felt like a large nerve. And it was all the fault of the man behind him. The, stupid,blonde, beautiful, behemoth was greedy. After that shower, he'd spread Ichiru out on the bed and memorized every inch of his body. Learned every reaction he could seduce from the silverette. Then he'd taken that knowledge and kept Ichiru pinned beneath him for the rest of the night in various positions. He'd drifted to sleep with the scalding image of Aidou leaning over him, eyes satisfied and elated.

Waking up with him had been even worse. He'd woken with Hana's tongue buried in his mouth and his mate buried up his ass, patiently waiting for him to wake up before he began to move in deep, sliding, slipping thrusts, quickly knocking him into orgasmic nirvana. While he was still trembling and shaking, Hana had turned him over and fucked him face down, the slap of his hips against Ichiru's ass stark in the quiet dusk of a new night. He'd come, moaning his bonded's name, with the sun sinking beneath the horizon. And the bond had been completely open.

He'd been blown away needless to say.

He'd insisted on taking another shower by himself, but his arrogant mate had just followed him in, saying it was his duty to see that he was properly cleaned. Hana had lost control after a minute of having his fingers probe and stretch silky flesh and ended up having to clean him again. It was like a never ending cycle of golden lust. Even now his body was throbbing, scarily attuned to Hana. The bond pulsed and snapped between them making any attempt at escape petty. He was receiving Aidou's disgruntled thoughts. And that gave him a petty sense of satisfaction. He still hadn't forgiven him for the all night sex 101. Waking up in Aidou's arms again had been a shock even though he remembered the night before clearly. His body had been softened and wrapped around Aidou who'd in turn engulfed him.

It was really….. it was disgusting was what it was. It'd been almost ten o'clock before they'd resurfaced, getting dressed quickly and barely making it to Cross' for the meeting. He'd been self-conscious the whole time, his body seeming new and refreshed from having his mate lavish attention on it. Sensitive to his presence.

His mate.

That gave him pause.

The man currently on his heels was his mate. A wake up with every morning mate, most likely underneath him. It was almost enough to make him stop. But he couldn't. Because Aidou would catch him and heaven knew what that would end up initiating.

He felt the underlying current of golden invasion.

The bastard was reading his thoughts!

He wasn't yet experienced in blocking or maneuvering, so the end result was Hana entrenched deep in his mind, ferreting out his irritation. And that made him even more irritated. He stumbled to a halt, whirling. Hana was already still, at a complete halt.

"Oh are you ready to speak to me now?" Hana arched an inquiring brow.

Ichiru shied away, his gaze to his left. He didn't know what to say that wouldn't end with Hana dragging him to the nearest bed. Noting his silence and his pained expression, Hana smiled and came closer. He leaned close, though careful not to touch. Ichiru shivered as the bond sparked at the closeness, a becoming rose brightening his cheeks. But he was too close now to elude the hands that circled his biceps, pulling him into a hard body.

"You know it's not shameful to want me," Hana whispered, relishing the responses. His hands slid up so that his hair could tangle in silken, silver strands of hair. He tugged until Ichiru was looking up at him. "In fact it's to be expected. Zero really doesn't expect us to be out here tonight. We discussed it before we left. Come home with me."

Ichiru quivered, his tongue tied as the vivid sensations tangled through him. The hard emotions streaked through him in a hot wave until it was only natural that he reached for Hana, his eyes slightly entreating, a dark violet in his hunger. He couldn't fight himself anymore.

Hana's eyes gleamed predatory blue as he responded to the silent demand. He accepted Ichiru into his arms easily. "Let's go home."

Ichiru nodded, giving in. His body burned too brightly. The lure of the radiant warmth Hanabusa exuded irresistible. His mate was the only thing he could see as they made their way back to the mansion, Hana's hands sweeping over his heated body in light touches that were a parody of what he really wanted to do to Ichiru, his mouth an entirely different temptation as he teased the seam of delightfully lush lips with the tip of his tongue. He played a game of advance and retreat that drove Ichiru crazy and the silverette was rubbing against his lean, body as they stumbled through the door of the dimly lit mansion, his plush mouth open in the hopes that Hana would take the blatant invitation and enter him.

The giant had more will power than he'd given him credit for, ignoring the invite and dragging him to their rooms with undisguised haste. For the first time all night Ichiru's mind cleared. He smirked as he watched Hana hurry.

"Impatient are we?" He poked.

Hana looked over his shoulder, halting so that he could loom over his better half. "You have no idea." He dipped down to lick into Ichiru's mouth. "I burn to taste you again."

Hearing his thoughts verbalized by Hana caused an indescribable feeling. They were connected. A unit. As like one. For the second time since he come back into his brother's life, he felt like he belonged to someone. To this big beautiful example of a man.

Hana frowned down at him, blue eyes shining with question. "What's wrong? Having second thoughts again?"

Ichiru shook his head, avoiding his gaze, blushing. "N-n-no, that's not it. I think I like you more than I realized. Ah! Wait!"

Hana didn't even slow down, holding his hand in a tight grip as he practically ran down the hallway. "How can I with you saying such things?"

He flung the door to their rooms open with necessary force, slamming it close before shoving him back against the cool wood. Before he could protest the rough treatment, Hana surged over him, hot mouth crashing down over his, finally engaging in the kind of kiss that Ichiru had been looking for, his tongue stroking boldly. Ichiru was immediately dazed by the hungered sensuality of the kiss. He clutched desperately at honey gold hair trying to hold on as Hana unbuckled his pants with ruthless efficiency. lifting him out of his clothes.

"Wrap your legs around my waist," Hana rasped in demand and he could do nothing but obey.

He gasped in surprised as Hana nudged the mushroomed head of his cock against the tender opening of his body. Hana kissed him hard before puling back. "We are connected. One, We'll never be separate again.

Accept it."

TD

He wasn't surprised when he woke up in the dream. In the same bed.

The dark press of Kaname's aura against his skin was unsettling and violence scented the air. He immediately turned his head. As expected Kaname sat on his massive throne, still, his head resting on the lavish headrest. He eyes were closed at the moment but the boiling, thick atmosphere belied his apparent calm. This was not a mood he was prepared to confront Kaname in. So thinking, he looked towards the other side of the huge bed, looking for an alternative route of escape. There was no light shining on that side of the dream bed. It felt as if that side of the bed stretched to infinity. He scooted closer to the darkness, intent on making good his escape.

"Stay right where you are."

He froze, halted by the force that was this short of exploding, eyes snapping back to where Kaname sat. Indeed his King hadn't moved an inch, his head still resting nonchalantly, seemingly relaxed. His clothes were, as always, immaculate, long dark silk covering the finely lined physique that Zero knew lay beneath. But his eyes were open, black eclipsed in red.

He looked peaceful and put together all right but the palpable presence in the room said otherwise.

Zero once again eyed the obvious exit with longing.

"Do I have to chain you?"

Because he had no choice when Kaname's voice was that close, Zero let his attention snap back to his pureblood who now stood just outside the canopy, his eyes flared red in his irritation. The silverette faced him head on, his features writ with disbelief.

"You wouldn't!" His voice was lethal, his eyes cold like the most frigid dawn.

Kaname stopped. Just stopped, his body going still with that unworldly stillness that only very old vampires could affect. That wild, dark energy swirled around the room in pulsing waves in direct contrast to the look of sublime peace that Kaname was projecting. Zero stiffened as the ominous storm buffeted the room, motionless under Kaname's stark, hungry gaze. He wasn't scared. Per se. But he did have a healthy dose of self preservation. So he shut up, his mouth turned up in a sweet pout, not willing to antagonize his mate any further.

Kaname stepped around the bed, pacing it's light lit length, the sound of his steps seeming to echo throughout the room. He never turned his eyes away, so that Zero's helplessly followed.

The tense silence lasted for three cycles before Zero couldn't take the quiet anymore. He opened his mouth and flinched back as Kaname swung in his direction in anticipation of his speech. The eager gaze invited whatever he'd been going to say. And not in a good way. He tried anyway.

"I don't know what's-Ah!"

He fell back against the bed as Kaname loomed over him suddenly, his shoulders blocking out the room. The dream reality shook and trembled around them as the phantom sensation of Kaname's slender length compressed his own, the lithe muscles pushing him into the mattress beneath.

"Need you ask?" Kaname's voice was hard, no argument needed and yet he gave one anyway. "You've removed yourself from the power of my protection." He leaned closer, his nose pressing against Zero's pulse. "You are vulnerable, pregnant with my children, AND I CANNOT EVEN SMELL YOU!"

Kaname pulled back, shaky from his outburst, unbalanced by Zero's absence, though he didn't go far.

Zero was just as shaky laying beneath him. "Don't act like you didn't push this situation to the breaking point. You decided to impregnate me without my knowledge."

"And that is a viable reason to put yourself in danger?" Kaname asked, affront powering his frame. He let his frame eclipse Zero's again so that he was covered shoulders to toes, with no escape in sight. "I am a warrior Zero and you,….. you are my prize." Dark red eyes of flame flicked down to trace the lines of his frame. "Every inch of you belongs to me." His fingers ruffled through the silver of his hair, catching on the last inch so that Zero's head canted back. This allowed their eyes to meet and Zero was unsurprised at the vehemence in Kaname's. He had been married to the tyrant for over five years. And his tyrant was serious about every word that fell from his mouth.

"Every little inch. From your hair to your toes."

Zero stared up, not daring to move, caught in a trancelike state as he listened, caught by Kaname's selfish actions. Kaname's eyes didn't leave his. "Tell me you belong to me!"

It was a demand, pure and simple and Zero resisted with every fiber in his being. He shot daggers back at his mate, eyes hot. "No!"

He felt the cold of the metal as it curled around his ankle, anchoring him, no trapping him. Instantly Zero's lavender orbs shot down, landing on the silver sheets that draped over his svelte form. He didn't want to pull them back, didn't wasn't see how far Kaname would go. Yet, unbidden by his mind, his fingers reached, tugging the sheets back for his perusal. It slapped him across the face like a bag of cold rocks and he slid as far from his mate as the silver chain would allow him. And his mate let him, crouched and staring at him with curious apathy.

It banded around his ankle like a silver watch tower, warning away all who would approach.

He scrambled backwards, desperation blooming bright and sudden. He felt the oft forgotten chains twine around him. The delicate clinking of the chain trailing from his ankle, tinkling in an accompanied agreement that stopped him dead. Kaname moved faster than he would have warranted, sliding over him in a dark rush. The look on his face was terrible. Zero could literally see the hint of the white fang between sensuous lips. HIs eyes were reflections of their separated hell. Zero winced as his mated settled on top of him. And even though it was done gently Zero still felt a fierce surge of protectiveness rage within him. He felt triumph mix in with the rage his mate was feeling at the moment. Kaname leaned in to place a simply sweet placating kiss on his mark.

Zero inhaled sharply, turned his head away. "Don't!" He squirmed trying to get hands underneath so that he could shove his mate off. That was a no go, Kaname dropping all his weight on his. He breathed deeply, then growled low when there was no scent. ""You feel concern for our children. I'm gratified." Kaname smiled him, face still stained with his unrest. "You feel them don't you? Their very existence sings in my veins."

The look he leveled on his mate was definitely not suited for underage consumption. Kaname returned it with his covered calm, eyes red and agitated. Zero trembled even though his King had not moved, attuned to his very nature. Kaname's head tilted, his look sharp and penetrating. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards at what he saw. He leaned over his shivering mate so close that Zero flinched.

"You have no one to blame but yourself for your predicament."

Zero gave him burning, fiery eyes. "I would think that shoe would be on your foot," he quipped.

A feeling of deep intense unease wafted from the pureblood though his face remained without expression, his eyes burning windows. Zero could barely take it, turning his face away so that he wouldn't have to be assaulted with the pureblood's temper. It was in the air all around him. He didn't have to look at his mate throw a temper tantrum.

Zero continued not looking at Kaname. He wasn't going to be pulled into his husband's games. "I'd rather just sleep." He gestured to the supple chain. " This is enough to satisfy you isn't it? Well then, I'm going to sleep. Good night."

He closed his eyes. After an eternity of slow deep breaths, he felt the pureblood rise and start to pace again, his frustration palpable in the air. He didn't need to open them to track his mate, his heart and the bond did that. He settled more firmly in the dream mattress, not deigning to give his pissed off mate any attention. But finally, unable to ignore the blatant unrest, he cracked his eyes and watched the tight, controlled movements as his husband walked back and forth his eyes never leaving him. He barely suppressed a sigh of irritation. As if he could sleep with Kaname pacing over him like a child with a fever.

He knew he was going to have to face his husband regardless, but neither of them were ready for such confrontation at this stage. He wasn't. His mate didn't have the control to properly deal with his hormonal mate. And he…..he had yet to sit still and think.

Looking at Kaname still hurt right now, the the damn bastard wouldn't give him his space, constantly showing his face before him. And forcing him to interact with his unborn children, trying to sway his feelings. It was exhausting.

He frowned as the dream wavered around him. Kaname spun to face him, a snarling picture of rage, just as it faded. Zero shook his head in confusion just as the real world swirled in to replace the dream world. Jolted, caught off balance, he lay still under the covers, his eyes searching the darkness. Something had wakened him. What? He breathed deep, evenly. Making no sound as he strained to hear anything around him. He concentrated, letting hid sharper senses filter through the house. He could feel everyone. He touched lightly upon Cross,Seiren, and cross, shuddered lightly and moved away. He swept over Hairi, relieved that she seemed to be doing well, though resting fitfully. The twins still stood outside his door, still alert as if they were actual stone sentinels. Every one was where they should be. So what?-

His thought cut off as he caught it. That feeling. The feeling of complete emptiness. Darker than the dark it slunk through. No there was more than one empty shadow. He was moving abruptly as the shadows swept up the stairs to his room. For a hysterical minute he wondered why they just hadn't entered his room directly. It was in his favor he supposed, as he slipped from the bed cautiously. His heart pounded, and he felt lightheaded as he felt the presences sneak through the house. Kaname's rage was beating at the glowing link and his head was starting to hurt.

He debated whether or not he had enough time to go though the bedroom door of if he was going to be forced into the bathroom. He was just turning towards the door when he felt the twins react to the unnatural air in their midst. He had to give it to them, they didn't waste time when their suspicions were raised. The door opened quietly as one of them slipped into the room with him. He recognized Eiji, the more serious of the twins.

"They've blocked the stairs, I'm going to go first. You follow when you see a chance to move safely," the twin whispered sibilantly.

"How are you going to fight them when you can't even see them or sense them clearly," Zero protested frantically, hands clutching the sleep robe tight around him. "Let me-"

"Kaname-san did not appoint us your guardians for nothing. Move when you can."

"I'm not going to wait here while you die!" But he was talking to an empty room. Unwarranted, Kaname's words came back to haunt him and he was moving without thought, lunging for the door, his hand twisting painfully on the knob.

Don't you dare!

Zero froze, all movements arrested as Kaname's anger seemed to blare from every corner of the room. I'm not willing for the twins to come to harm, he informed his mate calmly through the bond. He glared, sure his husband could see it.

You will not put yourself in danger!

Let me go!

The song of his distress was accompanied by the tumult of Kaname's anger and frustration and Zero was surprised that his spouse had been so close. A jolt trembled his frame as Kaname hit the house with all the considerable weight of his fury, the link of their blood holding up under the onslaught. It was like a tuning fork, the combined resonance of their bond vibrating deep inside of him.

And in the background of his personal chaos he felt Haru's life force fade.

Anger roared through him like a freight train. He felt the chains of Kaname's hold fall away as he pulled the door open and rushed into the hallway.

Do not put yourself in danger!

I will not sit back while they murder our people!

And it indeed it was going to come down to that.

He burst into deja vu, Seiren, Cross, Toga and Eiji fighting invisible assailants in silence. The scene paused when his feet touched upon the carpet and suddenly all of the attention was focused on him. The house shook as empty shadows began to move towards him, and the deep pain shook him. He gasped, blocking the pain out as he whirled and tried to slam his ten inch blade into a vulnerable chest. They weren't getting too close to him, instead surrounding him, corralling him, trying to push him in the direction they wanted him to go. Which was deeper into a corner filled with shadows.

Seiren called out sharply, turning towards him just as a sonic percussion rocked the house.

Zero fell against the wall, the high sound of his pain ringing down the hall. He realized that Kaname had broken his seal just as a demon entered their midst.

His husband resembled nothing of the suave, svelte creature from their shared dreams. Instead his hair was wild, as if he'd run his fingers through it many times, and his eyes were jet black, indicating that he'd lost all control and his beast was making the decisions at the moment. He looked taller, his shoulders broader in the confusion of the hall so that he was the only thing Zero could focus on. The sight of his husband made him pause, his appearance so reminiscent of another fateful night. But even then, this was different. Kaname seemed more….focused. There was no storm of emotions now. There was only….

Silence.

Yet it wasn't a quiet silence.

It was oppressive. Draining. If a black hole could have a feeling, it would have been this. Zero could feel Kaname pulling from him, using his senses to detect the shadows as he danced among them, deadly in his fury. But that was it. There were no thoughts. No feelings. No conscious. It was as if his husband had checked out and let the animal inside him run amok completely.

That was too frightening to contemplate.

Zero pushed himself away from the wall, ignoring the pain, intending to reach his mate. Slender hands pushed him back against the wall and a long, lean body made sure he stayed there.

Seiren was crouched in front of him, her skin like alabaster in the dark hall. "Don't. That's not Kaname-Sama." She spoke over her shoulder as her mates materialized at her sides, dark and light respectively. Both Toga and Cross turned towards him and he waved them off with his hand.

He huffed impatiently, gasping slightly as the aftershocks from the broken charm echoed through him. "I know exactly what that is. Get out of my way!"

"Humor me." She kept half her attention on the hallway, half on him. "If you get hurt, nothing in this hall will survive. Trust him."

His teeth clenched as he bit back his response. Trust Kaname? He'd done that and look where that'd gotten him. He didn't have to answer directly as she bounded down the hall, her hands moving with deadly accuracy. He tried to keep his eyes on every fight but found that was near impossible with the chaos. Eiji fought over his brothers still body, blood trickling from a slash in his face. His eyes were empty as only deep pain could entail, almost as empty as Kaname's. Seiren, Cross and Toga whirled back to back, keeping invisible blades from vulnerable flesh.

And Kaname….

Kaname was a force of nature. Of the dark kind. He was the tornado that razed estates to the ground. He was the earthquake that shook sky scrappers until they swayed and fell. He was a single destructive force as he fought against something he could not see, determined to protect his mate. Long metal spikes protruded from his knuckles but their length had never been recorded in his eyes.

As he watched, his eyes for his wild mate only, Kaname slashed those sharp, lethal claws through weak flesh. A body fell at his feet and Zero felt the shadows surrounding him hesitate and pull back as the body was revealed to the weak light. Jet black hair, brown skin. A quick glance and his attention was once again focused on Kaname.

As they wavered, quick as light, Kaname whirled and slammed his claws into an unprotected chest. Another body fell at his feet and Zero sensed capitulation as they realized he wouldn't be an easy target, slinking away to the shadows to disappear.

A sudden hot punch between his ribs brought him to his knees and he gasped frantically as he felt air leave him in a torrential rush. He couldn't get air into his lungs and he felt panic take over as he watched Kaname fall and crash upon the ground. Black and silver warred for supremacy in his vision and he heard a sobbing breath in his ear an instant before darkness overtook him.

TD

Oh Damn! It's been a long time! I must admit this story had taken the back burner in my projects until a certain someone…..Junjou Alexandrite…..reminded me that I still had readers following this story! So I had to get back on task! Hopefully you weren't too disappointed with this chapter! Thank you for all of your reviews, faves, and follows!

Until Next Time…