A/N: And here's a Christmas present-an early update. LOL. Thank you for the kind reviews/faves/alerts and Merry Christmas! I hope chapter 2 lives up to expectation. I'm working on laying down some parameters for the story, then the action and um, other things to come. :P Enjoy!

FULL SUMMARY: The Elder Council and the Hunter's Association has come up with a way to start war-order Kaname Kuran and Zero Kiryu to marry their refusal will mean war on both sides. Yaoi. KxZ/ZxK

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any Vampire Knight anything, that belongs to Matsuri Hino, I only lay claim to my original plot bunnies and characters.


Zero paged through the red folder as his eyebrows arched ever upwards in appreciation. "I see." He said, at last. "You think taking them straight on, is good?" He snorted. "You're being very obvious about-" he gestured towards the file folder. Kaname certainly had his ways of going about things, but all that Zero had known of him seemed to be settled on one particular point—Kaname valued his privacy as if it were the rarest of commodities. By publicly coming out to show his displeasure—no matter how brilliant a strategic move—it would certainly be costing him. It was certainly worth noting, though Zero would most certainly never voice that aloud. Thankfully, he didn't have to explain his curiosity, because Kaname ignored whatever it was he had intended with such random remarks and was already off on another tangent.

"It shall certainly serve to minimize any stray dissent towards our respective—sides—and, by garnering public sympathy, at the very least, we can give the Council and the Association a headache. It would make them think twice about the absurdity of this situation and the way they are floundering forward as if we are pawns in their games." He drew himself up with a rather dignified air. "I am no one's pawn and I would endeavor to say the same of you."

Why he couldn't use normal, regular words, was beyond Zero, but he managed to make out that Kaname's view on the loss of his privacy had something to do with the calculating look on the pureblood's face. Kaname only wore that look when it meant that someone was going to be hurt in the near future—hurt for touching, torturing or teasing something that they had no right to. It took some effort to keep his face straight as Zero let his mind wander. And then, of course, he couldn't help it anymore. "What I wouldn't give to see the president's face." Zero sniggered in appreciation. Kaname's plan was sure to hit their respective sides head-on. It would be truly spectacular. For once, he wished he could be in two very specific places at the same time. "Good one, Kaname."

A rare flush settled over the pureblood's face and he studiously looked away out one of the tall windows until it subsided. "Thank you." He said, primly. "Of course, since we are already legally engaged by laws on both sides, our chief selling point would be our individual selves."

"No complaint here." He liked his hunter-life and even if the vampire side of him objected every now and then, Zero had been working to keep his reactions to a minimum. He liked what he did and thought it was a service to the world in general—not to mention a win-win situation. The world was ridded of unnecessary bloodsuckers and he had a goal to focus his anger on, overall, a very useful position to be in. If this whole marriage nonsense went through, he would certainly have to curb his hunter activities, if not cease them altogether to mingle with Kaname's precious social circle. It wasn't a very appealing thought at all. That, Zero decided, could not happen. Though, perhaps they could work on a compromise—if—this whole plan didn't work out first, that is.

Zero looked up as Seiren entered the office bearing the customary tray he was beginning to associate with her. A simple silver tray with pitchers of juice and milk, with fat sandwiches piled around it. He would never admit it, but Zero dearly loved those little tasty things. Kaname Kuran may have had everything in the world, but the only thing of his that Zero coveted was the mastermind on his kitchen staff with the ability to make such mouthwatering sandwiches. His stomach was always happy, settled and full after he gorged himself on the properly balanced portions of bread, meat and fixings.

"Do help yourself." Kaname said, wryly. Accurately and easily reading the appreciation in the young hunter's eyes. "Thank you, Seiren, was there anything else?" The bodyguard was hovering—deliberately—and while her expressionless face gave nothing away, Kaname had learned to read her years ago.

"No, Kaname."

Zero was happily stuffing his face.

Kaname suppressed a smirk and delicately selected a specimen, nibbling on the edge. He was not quite hungry, but Seiren knew his habits well enough that she would bring something 'round before he had neither need nor inkling to ask for it. The taste was delicious as usual and Kaname noted that his favorites—the white bread with the pale-green filling and the wheat with cheese and cream—were nearly doubled in portion in regards to the other sandwiches. He almost smiled. Seiren moved around him at once to pour a glass of juice and a glass of milk. She usually did that, leaving the choice of beverage up to him, seeking only to save him the trouble of having to pour a glass himself.

"Milk." Zero mumbled around the mouthful, taking the milk glass when Seiren had replaced the pitcher, his eyes half-closed in something that might have been bliss as he chewed away. "S'anks."

"Skip breakfast, Zero?" Kaname inquired, settling down on an armchair opposite of Zero and relaxing, somewhat. He had skipped his breakfast—or rather, skipped as much as Seiren would allow—she'd followed him around with a cup of coffee and buttered toast until he'd eaten the slice and downed half the cup. Kaname took the remaining glass of juice and shook his head slightly, to show that he didn't need anything else. Seiren took up a position behind the chair and slightly to his left. She didn't want to leave. He wasn't about to press her.

The lavender eyes rolled in pity. "Can't a guy appreciate a good sandwich?" He swallowed, making an effort to speak without his mouth full. "Eat first. Talk later." And he stuffed his mouth again.

To that, Kaname could not think of a single reason why such advice was adverse to their current situation.

So they did.


~*~*~Thanks for reading!~*~*~