A/N: I know I know I know... You hate me... This update took forever... apologies for the BawBaw and Q.Q'ing I may have caused. The pitterpatter of not two, but four tiny feet is somewhat disruptive to a household D: Heres a cliffhanger to keep this going a little longer before I bring it to a close.

P.S. Im up to chapter 69 of the manga, and Im forseeing things going us Zeki fans way rather soon :D Cant wait for the inspiration to spout a dozen more great fics for me to read.

...

Chapter Eleven: Escape

If I'm free, it's because I'm always running. - Jimi Hendrix

They ran. Knowing that death followed them with every step they made, at twice the speed. They slept very little, daring only to sleep in turns, during the glaring heat of midday. The constant pace began to take its toll on them. Despite the fact that daylight was the safest time to be moving around, as it was the most inconveinient time for those who pursued to be moving around, they were the same species, and it hurt them as much as it helped.

They didnt have the energy to talk much, but words still weren't very neccessary as they knew each other so well they could comunicate with very little. They knew what had passed between them was somewhat inevitable, guessed each others feelings, but never said it outloud. Afraid that would make it real, afraid that then they'd be admitting they had something to lose... each other.

It was the sixth night of running when Yuuki collapsed in mid stride. Rushing to her side Zero offered her the makeshift waterbottle they had been filling at every stream they passed, never sure how long it would be till the next one. She pushed the water away panting, resting his hand on her forehead he tried to look into her eyes, she was icey cold.

"...Yuuki?" she continued to avoid his gaze, his stomach twisted with worry and guilt, had he been pushing their pace too hard?
"Mmm... Zero..." she muttered still trying to deny him eye contact.
"Yuuki, look at me." Zero demanded to no avail, but then he added "Please..."

She felt like she should refuse but she couldnt do so to that pleading tone of his. She tilted her head upwards so that he could see her, but continued to look to the side, so that she wouldnt see his reaction. Her eyes glowed scarlet, pupils reduced to tiny points of darkness, flickering as she breathed heavily.

"Yuuki! you're starving... why didnt you tell me...?" He asked, unsure if he wanted to hear the answer. Didn't she want his blood? Would it satisfy her? Did she miss his blood...?
She slapped his hand away from her face, then imediately felt bad about it. After a pause, she grabbed his still outstretched arm and rubbed her cheek on the back of his hand, apologising. Turning his hand to cup her cheek he silently forgave her, and waited for her to make the next move.

"Zero I... I dont want to... you know... cause it might remind you of that woman... I know you dont want me to be a vampire."
The self disgust in her voice brought his empathey to the surface. Hugging her to him he tilted her face up to recieve his kiss, holding her perfectly still maintaining their connection untill she calmed down. Her eyes dulled slightly from the soothing effect of his touch, but the thirst was still present.
"I dont want to take anything from you you dont want to give..." she said looking down, stroking the side of his neck absent mindedly.

"Who else could I possibly want to give it to?" Zero half-smiled at the thought. It was so rare to see even a small smile, especially in their current situation, Yuki couldnt help but feel the seriousness of the occasion dissapate as quickly as it gathered. She smiled at him, he felt his heart break a little... everytime she smiled at him, just for him... he loved her so much he thought his heart would burst, break into a million pieces... and even then, he would scoop them up off the floor and give them to her. His heart had always been hers.

Suddenly serious again Zero pulled Yuuki closer, his hot breath on her neck... unable to hide his own hunger any longer.
"If you dont... I will..." he panted.
"You first..."
He needed no further encouragement. His increasing bloodtablet habit had done nothing to quench his true thirst, his thirst for the one he loved. He prepared her neck with a series of long, slow licks.

Nostalgia rolled over her in waves... this wonderful quivering anticipation. The nervous heat in her stomach that she now recognised for physical attraction. For a moment she forgot her own hunger, and lost herself as he pierced her flesh.

Warmth filled him as her life trickled down his throat, her thoughts and desires laid bare. Her stifled ardour only encouraged him further, biting as deep as he dared, his slaked his thirst in a surprisingly short amount of time. Her rich, awakened blood was far more potent than it used to be, but he was in no rush to stop. Nuzzling the blood that drew trails down her perfect skin, he afectionately cleaned her as he continued to take a drop here and there.

She began to squirm slightly, then to jiggle up and down a bit. Making tiny impatient sighs. He swallowed a faint laugh, continuing whilst pretending not to notice. Her hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly on the back of his shirt, neading him slighly. He finally pulled away and smiled at her, but as she leaned towards his neck he stopped her with a finger on her lips.

"One sec..."
She grumbled something similar to "What NOW..." before her moved his hair aside for her.
"... now it should be easier." he grinned

Unamused, she grabbed the side of his neck with both hands, and bit deep between them, holding him to the side as much as she could to make up for her short stature. He felt a flutter of annoyance from the part of him that despised his own kind, but Yuuki's touch was overwhelming, she wanted him. She needed him. That was all he could ever want or need from her, and in return he offered his undying love along with his life, his quickened pulse aiding her in her tentative approaches.

As they drew apart, another lust grew. Fueled by their indulged primitve desires, agreed on by their exhausted minds, they decided to stop earlier then normal, to recap feelings shared after the terror of her possible death. As they talked in the dying afternoon light, one thing led to another. Slower, more delicate this time. The constant awareness that at any time, it could be the last time they could be together tinged their actions with a sadness that made their love sweeter, more defined, but no less passionate. His finallly reciprocated love drove him to lavish attention on her to the point of almost ignoring his own desires, but she reminded him.

...

They awoke to the sounds of the night as the moon reached the highest point in the sky. Zero drew away from their resting place, and the stirring Yuuki, with a sudden realisation. Not only did they stay in one place for a long time, at night, but... he took in the sights and smells of their surroundings. Her blood, and his... mixed together in some places. Scents of shared pleasure... clothes thrown aside... burnt out remains of a fire they spontaniously lit to remind them that there was some warmth left in the world. A unhindered mess... a pugnent mess... so easy to smell... to find.

"Yuuki... wake up! hurry!"
"...hmmnnhm"
"Yuuki!"

He pulled her to her feet, clutched to his chest they stood, blasted by a chill wind. Gusts howled through the trees, leaves whipping around their feet, bringing the chitter of bats to their straining ears.

The thump of two feet hitting the ground.
The sound of two hearts moving as one skipping a beat.
The soft hiss of hair being drawn aside to reveal glowing red eyes.

Found.