A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it

Chapter 21 – Hot Bath

When finally Hikari woke up, Hana was sitting in the rocking chair next to the bed. It was early evening and the sun was just about to set. Her head ached and her vision was slightly blurred.

"Good evening, Lady Hikari," Hana said with a kind smile, "You had me worried there. What happened to you? Do you remember?"

Hikari sat up slowly and blinked at her faithful servant, "I am unsure… the last thing I remember was Lord Kaname coming to my room, backing me against the wall and biting me… I don't remember anything else after that."

"Well, I saw Lord Kaname walking from your room. He seemed troubled… I walked inside to see you had been bitten. I cleaned you up and placed you in your night gown."

Hikari blushed, "You didn't notice any… virginal blood… did you," Hikari asked in a quiet and embarrassed mutter but Hana shook her head.

"No, my lady…" Hana replied, "Were you worried that he took advantage of you?"

Hikari blushed deeply, "No… I just don't remember what happened so I thought I would ask," Hikari replied with red cheeks, "Anyway, where is Lord Kaname?"

"He is downstairs, my lady, would you like to see him," Hana asked with a smile. Hikari gazed at her servant for a moment thoughtfully, "Have I overstepped my boundaries, my lady?"

"No, you haven't… I think I would like to see him please, Hana," Hikari said as Hana bowed.

"I will retrieve him this instant," Hana said as she left the room. Hikari nodded and lay back on the pillows. Had she fallen in love with him? She had let him drink from her for a second time and she seemed to quench his thirst for blood. She could not forget how right it felt to surrender to his will. There was something troubling him from what she could tell.

Hikari closed her eyes momentarily and heard the door open. Opening her eyes, she saw her husband leaning against the closed door, "Forgive me, did I startle you?"

"No," Hikari replied with a small smile, "I trust you had a good meal," she said as she placed a hand to her neck. Kaname averted his wine coloured eyes and nodded. Hikari stood up shakily but her knees could not support her weight. Kaname walked over to her and grabbed her waist, preventing her from falling, "Thank you, Lord Kaname…" she whispered, her cheeks reddening. Kaname sat her down on the bed and knelt before her.

"Please forgive me for over drinking from you yesterday," Kaname said, gazing into her eyes. For the first time, he really looked, and he noticed the beauty of her eyes, one of her exquisite features. Her hair was silvery, almost white and fell in loose ringlets. This complemented her pale complexion, "Hikari…" he whispered, as if it was a prayer.

Hikari blinked, "Yes, my lord?"

Kaname stood up and leaned down so that his forehead was touching hers, "What are you doing to me, Hikari? Why do I feel this way about you? Why do drive me insane with lust? Why do you quench my thirst? Why? I am so confused," he gripped her shoulders and noticed that Hikari hadn't looked away from him once. She was so pure… so innocent… so kind… things he was not. He knew was not kind… not pure… not innocent… was she his redemption? She stared up at him with confusion; that much he knew.

"I make you feel what way? What do you mean," Hikari asked. Kaname touched his nose to hers, "What about Hanaka?"

Kaname growled, "Forget about her," he said brusquely as his lips lightly touched hers, causing his bride to gasp suddenly, "I want only you."

Kaname lips pressed harder to hers and his tongue slipped into her mouth. Hikari's eyes widened as Kaname kissed her passionately, "Why?" she said against his lips. Kaname stared at her as he pulled away slightly, "Have you discarded her?"

"You could say that," Kaname replied, "Well, let's say she will not be returning to court for a while. However, I will probably have to deal with her parents for discarding her."

Hikari blinked at him, "Are you finally going to consummate our marriage?"

"I'm not going to force you," Kaname replied, "If you are ready to become my wife in body and not just by law, then we will do it when the time is right. Not now… you're still weak from me drinking from you. We will pick a perfect time."

"We will have dinner too," Hikari asked, "Everyone has dinner before making love, no?"

"I think you have been reading too many romance novels," Kaname replied flatly, "But if that's what you want, then so be it. We need to seal our marriage before anyone can get in the way."

Hikari blushed deeply, "I see… I really want you…" she muttered, "I cannot explain it either. Is it love we feel?"

Kaname gazed at her, "I suppose it could be…" Kaname muttered, "I don't know… perhaps we are becoming closer than we would care to feel."

"I really want you, Lord Kaname. I have never felt like this before…" Hikari leaned up and pressed a kiss to his lips. Kaname struggled to restrain himself as he scooped her into his arms and held her tightly. She was light and felt as fragile as a rose. He could see through her thin night gown which made him battle with his self control, "Would you bathe me, Lord Kaname," Hikari asked, "I really need a bath."

Kaname stared at her for a moment, "Bathe you?" he choked.

"Yes," Hikari smiled innocently, "It's intimate… you will get used to seeing me without clothes on."

Kaname blinked at her for a moment and Hikari noticed a faint shade of pink colour his pale cheeks, "If that is your wish…"

He turned on his heel and walked to the ensuite bathroom. Kaname placed Hikari on her feet and locked the door behind them. Hikari's cheeks reddened deeply as Kaname walked over to the bath and turned the taps, letting hot water rush into it. He poured rose oils and bubble bath into the hot water. He eventually turned the water off and turned to his nervous bride. Hikari smiled gently, "Will you… you undress me?"

Kaname stared at her for a long time before nodding and gripping the hem of her knee length night gown. Lifting if over her head, he finally saw what was underneath the clothes she wore every day. Hikari was beautiful. She was lithe yet had some womanly curves. Her breasts, which were hastily hidden behind her arms, were of a reasonable size, not too small yet not too large. She was well proportioned for her petite (5'1'') height. She was appealing to most men to say the least.

"Would you like to step into the bath," Kaname asked after he finished gazing at her perfect form. Hikari nodded shyly and she turned to the bath. Kaname helped her as she sat herself down and immersed herself in the hot water. However, she kept a arms over her breasts

"Wow," Hikari said with a satisfied sigh, "This is wonderful."

Kaname knelt beside the bath on a towel, rolled up his sleeves and picked up the sponge, "Lean forward, Hikari," Kaname said as Hikari nodded and did as she was told. Kaname dipped the sponge in the water and washed her back in soothing, and one would have to say sensuous, circles. Hikari shivered as the pureblood prince gently washed her and poured the hot water over her head. He poured rose scented shampoo onto her head and massaged it into her hair.

"I haven't ever done this before, Hikari," Kaname said after a while, "Even thought I have been intimate with a woman before, I have never done anything like this."

"Neither have I," Hikari replied shyly, "But there's a first time for everything right?"

Hikari shyly looked up at her husband and blushed deeply, "Indeed," Kaname said as he poured more water over to wash out the shampoo. Hikari splutter and coughed slightly before wiping the water from her face and eyes with her hands, "Are you all right?"

"Yes, Lord Kaname," Hikari replied, "I am fine."

Kaname leaned forward and kissed her wet shoulder, causing her shiver slightly. Kaname's lips pressed to cheek and Hikari smiled coyly. Hikari looked up at him and Kaname gazed back at her, "Kiss me, Lord Kaname."

Kaname leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. It was soft and gentle, progressing in intensity. Becoming lost in each other, Hikari tugged on his shirt pulling him closer until he had no choice but to get into the bath, causing him to get completely soaked. Hikari broke the kiss and gazed up at him through hooded eyes, her cheeks went an even deeper shade of red. Kaname leaned down and kissed her neck gently, causing the young pureblood beneath him to shiver. He could also feel her hands going underneath her shirt and raked her nails over his skin. Hikari pulled his shirt from over his head and caressed his chest and back.

"Hikari, what are you doing to me," Kaname asked in a ragged voice, "This is…"

"Kaname, I am nervous," she whispered as Kaname kissed her neck. Hikari ran a hand through his hair, causing him to look up at her. They stared at each other, their noses touching and their breathing was heavy.

"Don't be nervous," he whispered as he kissed her eyelids and planted soft kisses over her face, "I will take care of you."

He kissed deeply and slowly again, running his hands over her wet yet smooth skin. A small whimper escaped from her throat and a deep moan escaped Kaname's throat. However, before they could truly succumb to passion, there was a knock on the door. Hikari and Kaname broke the kiss and blinked at each other.

"Yes," Hikari asked.

"My lady, I just wondered if you need any help with your bath," Hana asked. Hikari shook her head quickly.

"No, that's all right," Hikari called, "I'm perfectly all right."

"Are you sure," Hana asked.

"Yes, please go and have a break," Hikari replied, "I'll be fine."

"All right… if you're sure," Hana walked away and the couple could hear Hikari's bedroom door close shut. Hikari sighed with relief.

"We should get out," Kaname said as he removed himself from his wife, "This isn't the ideal place to make love and consummate our marriage."

"Does it matter where we do it? We're in complete privacy," Hikari replied.

"The truth is that it isn't very comfortable for me," Kaname replied, "I can't move well and it's a bit cramped."

Hikari nodded slowly as Kaname climbed out and helped his wife out after him. He grabbed a fluffy towel and wrapped it around her shoulders. When she was rubbed dry, Kaname picked up her night gown and pulled it on her, "Kaname, what about Hanaka?"

"What about her," Kaname replied, his body going stiff.

"Don't you still love her?"

"Not as I did," Kaname replied as he rubbed Hikari's hair dry, "My time spent with you has change my view on that relationship. We both know, you and I are getting closer and when we finally consummate our marriage, I believe we will be in love."

"So, you don't love Hanaka anymore," Hikari asked and Kaname shook his head.

"I believe there will be repercussions from rejecting her as the Ikeda family are quite powerful," Kaname said as he dried himself off with another towel, "But we will face them together," he dropped the towel and took Hikari's hand in his and kissed it gently. Hikari gazed up at him softly and smiled. Nothing felt more right.

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