A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it
Chapter 6 - Dangerous Liaisons
A few weeks after that day with Kaname, Hikari hadn't seen him since. Juuri and Haruka had long since moved out to a small manor and Hikari was now the Kuran Lady of the house. Sara had gone back to her manor but visited when she could and when she wasn't with Takuma. Juuri had warned her of this and it was starting to ring true.
Meanwhile, Sara sat in her library on her lounging chaise. The book she was reading was slowly falling onto her chest as she began to doze off. However, she vaguely felt herself being manoeuvred into someone's lap and soft kiss was pressed to her forehead.
"Mmmm," Sara hummed slightly as she opened her eyes and saw Takuma cradling her in his arms, "Takuma, what are you doing here," she asked drowsily. Takuma chuckled softly and caressed her hair.
"Your servants allowed me to come and find you," Takuma said, "I just wanted to see you."
"Well, it isn't an unwelcome surprise," Sara said as she snuggled deeper into his chest. Her head rested underneath his chin and she smiled contentedly, "Have you seen Kaname recently? Hikari seems to be suffering."
"They don't seem to be getting along," Takuma said, "I can tell that Kaname is avoiding her."
"I hope he isn't making the mistake of taking a mistress," Sara said, "That would push them further away from each other."
"I'm not sure," Takuma said as he caressed Sara's hair, "Kaname doesn't usually disclose such decisions with me. He is popular at court with the young ladies."
"I know that he has been with them," Sara said, "The servants and the bed laundry…"
"Sara, have you ever been with him in that way," Takuma asked hesitantly. Sara looked up at him with shock.
"No," she said firmly, "I am still a virgin and will remain so until our wedding night. I would never be one of Kaname's whores."
Takuma tightened his grip on her and kissed the side of her head, "Good… I want you to be wholly mine on our wedding night."
Sara sighed and relaxed into his embrace. She turned her head towards him and Takuma kissed her tenderly on the lips. Sara's eyes flew open and she tensed slightly. Takuma frowned and pulled away.
"Have I offended you, Sara," Takuma asked. Sara shook her head quickly.
"No, it was just unexpected," she whispered, "You can do it again if you want."
Takuma nodded and placed his lips upon hers and this time, Sara responded sweetly and shyly. Takuma gripped her tighter and Sara gingerly touched his cheek. Takuma moaned quietly, not wanting to alert Sara's strict maids. Sara whimpered and let her other hand travel into his hair, gripping it tightly as the kiss became passionate. Then, they heard someone clear their throat and the lovers broke their kiss.
Sara's lips twisted into a sheepish smile when she saw her head maid standing there, "Lady Sara, I don't think that this is the appropriate behaviour of a lady. Lord Ichijo, please do not compromise her innocence like that."
"Forgive me, Mariko, I was only showing my affection for her. I have no intention of taking her at this stage in our relationship," Takuma replied calmly.
"Well, you had better leave, Lord Ichijo, Her Ladyship must prepare for her lesions," Mariko said as she strode from the room. Sara turned to Takuma and kissed his cheek.
"Go on," she said with a small smile, "You'd better go. You know what she's like when you don't listen to her."
Takuma rolled his eyes with irritation, "Fine," he stood up and Sara did too. With one last tender kiss on the lips, he made his way out. Sara sighed in frustration but touched her lips with the tips of her fingers, giggling cheekily.
"I am in love," Sara whispered, "I love you, Takuma."
"I can't believe I was married off to her," Kaname said as he lounged in his chaise. A woman stood before him with deep red curls, pale skin and vibrant green eyes. She was tall but not as tall as Kaname. The soft moonlight bathed her womanly form in ethereal light.
"You don't seem pleased to be married to her, my lord," the woman said smoothly. Kaname looked up at her and smirked.
"My parents are adamant that we will fall in love with one another. Since my sister ran off with a hunter, they were in a rush to make sure I didn't follow her example," Kaname snarled, "What a joke… Hanaka, come here."
Hanaka sauntered forward, the spaghetti straps of her black silk night gown falling of her shoulders, "You're in need of a real woman," she purred, her tongue licking her red lips so that they were moist. Letting a fang pierce the plumb bottom lip, Hanaka leaned down and kissed the pureblood prince sensuously and let Kaname taste her blood in the meantime.
Kaname pulled her to him so that she straddled his lap, "Hanaka, you're tempting me," he said as he kissed her back, "You shouldn't do that."
"Is tempting a pureblood vampire really that dangerous," she asked huskily, a hand buried in his hair and grinding against him.
"You have no idea how dangerous it is," Kaname said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and flipping their positions on the lounging chaise, "You are tempting a pureblood vampire who has marked you as his mate. I love you, Hanaka and I will have you one way or another. I refuse to consummate my union with Hikari."
"I am already yours," Hanaka replied, arching into him as he kissed her neck and as he caressed her womanly curves. Hanaka growled as she unbuttoned his black silk shirt, letting her hands travel over his thoroughly toned chest. Kaname bit down on her neck and let her spicy tasting blood take over his senses.
"Lord Kaname," she cried, running her hands, "Lord Kaname, please!"
She forced hips against his and wrapping her legs around his hips. Kaname slid a hand down her thigh and pushed back her silken nightgown.
The next day, Hanaka woke up with the bright sunlight on her face. She made a mental note to make sure they were closed, no matter how beautiful the moon was at night. Hanaka turned her head to see the sleeping face of her royal lover. They had moved to the bed for comfort and practical reasons as they made love throughout the long night.
The heavy duvet which covered their indecent bodies was wonderful under her fingers. To be the King's mistress was an exciting prospect and now that the dowager king and queen had left the main mansion, they were free to pursue their relationship. She could care less about Hikari; their marriage was merely a political contract and nothing more. There was no reason for him not to be loved by a willing woman.
Hanaka moved her body closer to him and she touched his face. Kaname groaned and his eyes lids fluttered open, "Good morning, my lord, I trust you slept well?"
"Very well," Kaname said as he kissed her tenderly. Hanaka rested her head on his chest.
"Are you going to consummate your marriage to the Lady Hikari," Hanaka asked. Kaname remained silent for a long time before speaking.
"I will have to at one point," Kaname replied, "I must sire a child, a legitimate heir. It will not change how I feel about you."
"What if she took a lover," Hanaka asked softly, "Not that I care for Lady Hikari but she still deserves happiness."
"No," Kaname replied sharply, "I would be the laughing stock of my court if I let her do something like that. It would be assumed that I cannot control my own wife."
Hanaka stared at him, "Would you divorce her if you got the chance?"
"Don't you think I wouldn't," Kaname replied, "I would be marrying you if it wasn't for my parents."
"Well, if divorce isn't an option, why don't you pick her out a lover," Hanaka replied, "Someone of high noble ranking? That way, you'd still be seen to be controlling her. What about the son of Lord Aidou? You know he will do anything if you asked him."
Kaname thought for a moment, "Hanabusa Aidou? I suppose so. Ichijo is out of the question as he is lucky enough to have a fiancée who is truly devoted to him and he is completely devoted to her."
"Princess Sara Awayuki is a sweet girl and is the epitome of beauty, purity and innocence. Lord Ichijo would never be unfaithful," Hanaka said, "They are a beautiful couple and they deserve each other."
"I have always got the distinct impression that Hikari is attracted to Ichijo," Kaname said distantly, "But no matter. I will discuss the possibility of her taking Aidou as a lover with Hikari when I see her next."
"When will that be," Hanaka asked, "You don't seem to take any pleasure in her company."
"I will see her at breakfast as always," he replied blankly, "And at every other meal. They are the only times I see her."
"I see," Hanaka said thoughtfully, "Well, I'm sure Hanabusa will do as you ask. He is very loyal."
"Indeed," Kaname said as he sat up, "We should be getting up and you should be going back to your own apartments. You still haven't been announced as my official mistress and we must be cautious for now."
"Even though your parents aren't here anymore to control you," Hanaka asked, "Or are you worried about what Hikari will think?"
"Neither," Kaname said, "I just… think for propriety's sake, we keep quiet about our liaisons for now."
"Even though we openly flaunt our love," Hanaka asked, "There's no point in hiding it anymore. Gossip circulates like a wild fire. The servants are partially responsible and will talk if you make it worth your while."
"No, the court knows nothing," Kaname said, "They think it is just gossip."
Hanaka sighed as she pulled the thin bed sheet up to hide herself and her dignity, "Well, I just hope you know what you're doing, my lord."
"I do," Kaname said seriously. Hanaka slipped her underwear on and then her night gown over her head. Making her way over to the door, she turned to gaze at her lover before making her way out.
That morning, Hikari didn't turn up to breakfast as Kaname had initially expected. Although he could care less if she did or did not come for breakfast, he found it a little strange that she didn't. Hikari had gone to see her in laws and had breakfast there.
"I hardly see him," Hikari said, "I'm so lonely, Lady Juuri, I didn't think it was this bad. I think he has a mistress too. She openly flaunts her sexuality and Kaname doesn't hide his attraction."
"Who is this woman," Haruka asked.
"I think her name is Hanaka Ikeda," Hikari replied, "She has red hair and beautiful green eyes. I'm almost jealous. I learnt all this from my maid Hana."
Juuri and Haruka turned to look at each other with look of disappointment, "We hoped that he would have discarded her by now," Juuri sighed, "He is a stubborn boy."
"Hikari, Kaname has known Lady Hanaka Ikeda since they were very young. He got on well with her and as they grew up, they grew closer. We thought it would fizzle out after a while as Kaname gets bored very quickly but he didn't lose interest in her. Lady Hanaka is from a very prominent and influential aristocratic family. Her family encourage her relationship with Kaname for their own advancement."
"Does he love her," Hikari asked.
"We're unsure," Juuri replied, "But we know that he is very close to her."
"Well, what if I took a lover too," Hikari asked and her in laws looked up at her immediately, "Please, do not look at me like that. You can't honestly expect me to wait for him! If he can take a mistress, I should be able to take a lover."
"It would be seen as treason, Hikari, you will find yourself in a whole heap of trouble and your good name would be ruined. Assuming you're still a virgin, wait until Kaname takes you. That way, you're marriage will be consummated. Kaname will consummate the marriage. There is no doubt about that. He needs an heir and pureblood one at that. He can't get a pureblood out of Hanaka, no matter how hard he tries. There are few female purebloods in this world and he is lucky to have found you."
"Usually, if Kaname permits it, he will choose a lover for you," Haruka said, "The person he chooses will be from an influential family and a probably a close friend of his."
Hikari didn't like the idea of Kaname doing that but at least she would have some companionship, "Would Kaname ever fall in love with me?"
"That entirely depends on you, Hikari," Juuri replied, "We know that you can do it."
Hikari highly doubted that, "I hope you're right."
A/N AH! So someone else has been thrown into the mix. Now, I am sure that you must doubt a HikariXKaname pairing. Well, it will happen, but I want to build it up. After all, they have only known each other a few weeks and Kaname is in love with his childhood sweetheart Hanaka. I want him to struggle with his attraction to the two women. Also, in this chapter, Sara and Takuma have shared their first kiss. I thought some fluff was in order.
Please review!