Deep Sky

A/N: This took forever to write, lol. Sorry for the lateness! Okay guys, here's a little twist for you to bite on! ;D I was trying to include this scene for quite a long time! lol :P It's new so I hope that it's not confusing for you! If it is, I'll be happy to explain! (: (And try not to spoil you too!)

Please have a visit my livejournal, Elwyndra:D The link is in my Profile! I'm going to post some stories (Fics and Fan Fics) on it with some previews of the next chapter. I'll probably post faster there! (: Thanks! (The journal is still under construction btw- I'll finish updating it soon!)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS! XD I dedicate this chapter to all of those who reviewed: Dizzles the Dizzy, Lady-of-the-gray and Sara! XD -hands out sweets-

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the marvelous movie, Van Helsing! And all quotes written on various chapters.

Summary: A dark past had torn Dracula and Van Helsing apart, but not for long. He has captured the Hunter, but he did not intend for the Hunter to fall for the Prince instead. In the background, Carl is in search of Van Helsing, and has hidden his true feelings until now... SLASH

WARNING! SLASH included! If you are uncomfortable with these things, you should go elsewhere! I think OC-ness is inevitable! NO FLAMES PLEASE!

MULTIPLE WARNING! MALE / MALE KISSES INCLUDED! Don't read if you're not into it!

Playlist: Looking Up the Sun – Poets of the Fall, Never Alone – Barlow Girl, Poison – Groove Coverage, Rebirthing – Skillet, Curse of the Moon – Okina Reika (Loveless Anime Soundtrack), Lithium – Evanescence, For the Heart I Once Had – Nightwish (!!!)

Chapter Fourteen – Blinded by Emotions Unexplained

Keep running...

Follow his scent.

That voice kept repeating inside of Velkan Valerious's mind, growing loudly with his escaping breath and strong, beating heart. The flowing, artificial wind had gotten a hold of the Prince's beautiful, dark brown curls and brushed it back from his fluorescent eyes and flushed cheeks. All he could depend on was his nose, which had the ability to catch any smell in spite of any boundaries.

His face.

It haunted him...

He needed to reach him.

But no more.

Velkan staggered, but he got up to his feet as if he had never fallen. His skin was chilled by the coldness of the Palace. There was nothing to keep him from feeling warm except for his running. The back of his hair prickled as he stopped. He stared at a narrow passageway. He could smell the faint traces of Van Helsing's smell grew stronger. He grinned and rushed through it quickly.

He was going to save him.

The Gypsy Prince ripped open each door he could find, ignoring the pain when he dug his fingernails deeply into its material. He didn't matter whether it be wood or metal, he would take it right off the wall and throw it aside in frustration when it wasn't what he was looking for. Velkan was about to open another door next to the one beside it, which had been destroyed, laid to rest in pieces on the floor, when his eyes locked onto a door that had a small window.

And protect him by any means.

He started to walk up to it, and almost immediately knew that this was the door. He could hear a heartbeat drumming inside. He sniffed and a whiff of human odor came from inside the room.

"Van Helsing!" Velkan cried out, tearing the entrance. He dashed into the room and he quickly he saw the hunter lying asleep on the bed, his eyes closed. From hearing his name being called, Van Helsing's lips twitched, and he shifted in his sleep.

Velkan looked around and saw the half-finished dinner laid out on the silver trolley. He was confused at first until he saw the faded shade of pink on Van Helsing's cheeks. Almost immediately he blamed himself. He had been the reason why Van Helsing had almost died. If the hunter hadn't taken the risk of seeing him, he would not have lost any blood from the pressure. He was somehow comforted by the fact that in spite how pale Van Helsing was, he was still alive and breathing. He had been afraid for him.

The Prince quickly walked up to the sleeping hunter and spoke, "Van Helsing, wake up..." Velkan shook Van Helsing's shoulder, and his brilliant hazel eyes flourished the area with color, meeting Velkan's gaze.

"Velkan..." Van Helsing murmured with drowsy eyes, but he forced himself to widen them so he can see clearly. Quickly the edges of his blurry eyes became clear and he saw the Prince smile back at him. It had been a while since he had last seen Velkan this closely, but there was something about that face that he knew before. However, he couldn't think about that. Urgency crept up his whole body, tingling through his body like a jolt of electricity.

"Why are you here! How did you get out of there? You should have left me here and run!" Van Helsing suddenly shouted angrily and he grabbed Velkan's shoulder as if to demand answers. The Prince looked at him in surprise, not expecting the words that came out of Van Helsing's lips.

"I came for you!" Velkan countered back, "I came here to rescue you!"

"Fool! At the risk of your life? No! Go! I'll only be a load to you!" Van Helsing yelled, shoving Velkan away, but the young man didn't do anything to obey. He looked at the hunter with steady eyes.

"I'm not leaving you here, Van Helsing! Stop pushing me away!"

"I'm still weak! My body won't respond to me quickly. You are my assignment, Velkan. I need you to keep yourself safe. If anything happens to you, my effort will be a waste!" Van Helsing shouted.

Velkan drew closer, "And what of your life! Dracula will kill you, Van Helsing. He has no heart, he feels no love. He is a hollow bastard, and when he gets what he wants, he will finish you!"

"But he could have done that ages ago, Velkan," Van Helsing murmured, his anger disappearing.

Velkan grabbed his hand, gripping it firmly with his own. "Come with me, Van Helsing. I cannot leave you here alone with the Son of the Devil."

Van Helsing didn't reply. He just glanced at the Velkan's hand, and then the Prince himself. Reluctantly he nodded, dreading the consequences of what will happen if he did not have the strength to keep himself up. He hated being helpless, let alone a burden to the man he should be saving.

"Come on, we do not have time! I'll help you.." Velkan said and pulled Van Helsing to his feet. The hunter wavered, but the young werewolf was holding him tight enough to stop him from falling. He smiled in spite of all the danger. He didn't shy away from the helping hand. Velkan grinned gladly.

"Wait..." Van Helsing said, putting a soft hand on Velkan's shoulder. He limped towards Mihai, gripping the handle. He felt the same familiar touch and smiled.

"Van Helsing!" Velkan cried out and Van Helsing nodded, putting the sword through his belt with a little bit of difficulty because of his numbing fingers. The two of them left Van Helsing's room, its doors left wide open as they ran...

All the while a silent, dark figure stood outside of the room with his glowing, fiery eyes observing them invisibly with a darkening frown on his face. He followed the mortals with black intentions...

X

"Can you find the exit, Velkan?"

Velkan sniffed, scanning the walls and corridors with his wolfen senses. He nodded. "I smell the trees, and the whiff of wind from down below. There are a flight of stairs we can use to go down. Come on!"

Van Helsing didn't say anything, but he smiled in slight relief. Velkan smelled it. He hoisted Van Helsing's arm around his shoulder and half ran, half dragged the hunter. Van Helsing was also attempting to run as well, but his legs felt weak every time he tried to stand.

"I am sorry for this. If I had called for 'help'sooner, I would not have lost much blood..." Van Helsing said as they escaped through the passing walls. They were quickly reaching the stairs that the Prince had been talking about.

"You are not at fault here, Van Helsing. But why were you hurt?" Velkan replied.

"I'm not sure... I saw a dream. Or more of a nightmare. There was a werewolf. It lunged at me, and gave me this wound."

"But dreams are not real."

Van Helsing turned to look at Velkan, his eyes meeting the Prince's. With an unreadable expression on his face, "And vampires are a myth."

"But-" Velkan began but stopped as he felt the hairs on his back prickle in warning. The palace had gone quiet. Deathly silent. And this disturbed him.

Van Helsing felt something too. He did not hear, smell or feel the same things as Velkan did, but he could sense it. His instincts told him that something wasn't right.

Their feet had stopped moving. They were downstairs, and if they moved a few more steps, they could have walked towards the exit. But they did not move a muscle.

"Velkan..." Van Helsing whispered, "why were you able to escape?"

"Because of a deal." Velkan spoke heavily.

Van Helsing turned to looked him with a dawning suspicion.

"What deal?"

Velkan stiffened, "It...was a bargain with Dracula's brides..."

"Tell me you didn't, Velkan-"

"-I'm sorry, I had to-"

"You should never have accepted!"

"I could not stand and do nothing!"

"YOU SHOULD HAVE! Dracula's servants cannot be trusted!"

"I--"

X

"FOOLS!"

There was a resonating cackle that cut Velkan's words short. Two colors of pink and faded silver swirled like a violent storm before their eyes. In a quick, thundering motion, the hunter was ripped away from Velkan and thrown to the nearest wall by a terrifying force. Van Helsing gave out a chocked gasp, agony rushing through his body as he slumped to the floor, his breathing becoming faster along with with his rising chest.

"No!" Velkan yelled, attempting to run to Van Helsing's aid but in a flash his movement was stopped. Claws sinked into his chest, hissing agony as his eyes were blinded by red and flickers of gold. He felt a chilling breath on his neck and a satisfied sneer, "You thought we would release you so easily?"

"You.. cheated!" Velkan was barely able to utter those words before another claw pierced his back, his blood pouring. "We had an agreement!"

"Hah! And you thought we would agree to it? There was one thing your frail hunter was right about; we cannot be trusted!" Aleera chuckled before thrusting the werewolf into the air, watching as Velkan fell and crashed painfully onto the cold, marble floor.

"Humans, they are easily broken. Even werewolves! Your uncontrollable thirst for blood is a weakness. Without control, you are just a mindless beast!" This made Velkan snarl. He was having a hard time getting up because of his aching back, but unlike Van Helsing, he had a better advantage. His wounds were healing back quickly.

"Aleeeeera!" Verona yelled and the red-haired vampiress smiled cruelly. While Aleera had been occupied with the Wolf Prince, Verona had pulled the bleeding hunter into her forked fingers. The dark-haired vampiress grinned back, "Come, sister! Finally we shall share our victory!"

"NO!" Velkan roared, and he got up, his eyes flaring with a blinding intensity. With a hideous snarl, he had no choice but to turn. Fortunately for him, the moon had no control over his actions. Before Verona was able to bite Van Helsing's bare neck, the dark, brown werewolf lunged for Dracula's Bride. The vampiress shrieked when claws dug into her pale skin and she transformed as well, temporarily releasing her grip on Van Helsing.

The hunter in question was numb from newly, cut wounds, but he had to move. Unsteadily he reached for the wall for support, and managed to get back on his feet. His eyes swirled with blinking lights, and he could see the blur of the werewolf form and the winged bride in their battle. Unfortunately, he was unable to detect the presence of Aleera fast enough.

A white, clawed hand roughly grabbed his neck and slammed him back to the wall. Aleera gave a hideous cackle, her long tongue reaching to lick the blood away. Van Helsing shivered, hatred and disgust showing on his face.

"Yum!" Aleera mocked, her beautiful face disappearing, replaced with the look of a deadly predator. She brushed Van Helsing's hair back as if to tease her prey, and Van Helsing flinched. He struggled furiously, kicking and digging his fingers into the skin of the vampire, but it was no use. Aleera did not let go of him.

"You will suffer, hunter, for the death of our beloved sister Marishka!" Aleera snarled, her eyes glowing red. Her fangs sharpened as she continued, "You will endure pain like no other mortal has ever felt! You will pay for deceiving our Master in your twisting arms! The blood that flows within you will empower us!"

Van Helsing flinched even harder when he heard the bride's last sentences, "Dracula is nothing to me!"

Aleera laughed disbelievingly. "Oh really? Then you will not be missed!"

The hunter felt a vice-grip on his neck as he felt the remaining air he had left being pulled away. He tried to pry the hand away... Life was slowly whispering a silent goodbye.

Mihai! Van Helsing thought frantically as he tried to reach for the sword. But the Bride noticed and her talon-like fingers sunk deeper, striking his skin like thorns. Van Helsing gave out a pained yell, causing the vampiress to chuckle with exhilaration.

Aleera leaned forward to sink her fangs deep into Van Helsing's neck, almost tasting the blood that she expected will gush sweetly into her frozen lungs. Unfortunately her moment was stolen when claws suddenly ripped at her skin, leaving scarring wounds. She gave out a howl, her grip on Van Helsing's neck being lost. Van Helsing gave out a huge gasp, breathing in as much air as he can.

He watched as Velkan had managed to save him again. The werewolf was trying to pull Aleera's wings out cruelly, the vampiress having been crushed by the weight of the wolf's claws. She shrieked in hatred, pain and frustration, calling for her sister desperately. "Veronnna!"

The werewolf, or Velkan, turned to look at Van Helsing's direction with its glowing, large eyes. He knew what Velkan was trying to tell him, but Van Helsing was no coward. He would not run without his innocent safe from the hands of evil. What sympathy he had for Dracula was yet again extinguished by the appearance of his Brides. These women were twisted to become Dracula's servants, eternally cold like their master and always longing for his touch that never gets returned. Van Helsing had felt disdain against these once-mortal vampiresses. But now he pitied their existence.

"I am coming, Aleera!" Verona yelled. Her wings were in a horrible state as well, the wing on her right having been bent so much her healing powers were working very slowly. She didn't seem to care that Van Helsing was near enough to claim. Her eyes were locked onto Velkan and Aleera as they fought. It was clear that the wolf was winning. "We will defeat the insolent beast once and for all!"

She dived in for the kill, but she was unexpectedly blocked by Van Helsing. In his bleeding hands he held the glinting sword Mihai, a determined look on his face. He swung it with all his might, slicing at the Bride's chest deeply. No blood poured but the wound was there. She cursed and grabbed Van Helsing's wrist too quick for the human eyes to catch. Van Helsing gritted his teeth in agony as he felt it being twisted. The vampiress forced the hunter's neck bare.

"You have been a nuisance to us the day you had arrived to Vaseria! I do not know what Master wants from you but he will not get it! And you will not live to help him receive it! DIE!" Verona screamed, her dark hair lashing wildly behind her as her fangs protruded. She bent for the kill, her eyes red as fire. Van Helsing knew that this was his chance, his only opportunity, to strike at the Bride before she bit him. He drove the silver sword deep into her stomach. The vampiress gave out a gasp as she felt the metal slide through her undead flesh. Verona gave out a pained snarl. Van Helsing's bloodied hands soaked her dress, making it look like she was nearly bleeding.

In that very instant a large claw threw Verona backward, grabbing her vulnerable wings to leave the damage a little longer. The eldest bride crashed into the thick wall, its pieces crumbling down on her as she gave out a painful hiss.

Velkan, still in his wolfen form, rushed to Van Helsing's side and nuzzled his cheeks. The hunter couldn't help but smile; it almost felt as if he had a large dog. Soon the creature before him vanished, the fur falling to the ground in a pile. Velkan stood in his ripped clothes, barely close to naked. Van Helsing took off his coat and handed it over him, who accepted it gratefully.

"I-" Velkan began, a look of shame on his face. However Van Helsing stopped him, shaking his head. "Do not continue. You do not have to apologize. I understand that you wanted to help me."

"But I have only done harm on you!" Velkan shouted, his fists clenched. He looked like a little boy about to cry, guilt soaking up his heart and emotions. He had lost so many loved ones with his unthinkable actions and his idiotic thoughts. How could he have let Van Helsing be in danger's way?

To his surprise, he felt strong arms around him and Velkan realized it was Van Helsing. The hunter hugged him tightly in his embrace, in an attempt to comfort him. Van Helsing was still angry with Velkan for what he had done, but it was only human to make mistakes. He didn't want the prince to feel any remorse for it.

Velkan looked a little stupefied at first, but after a moment he clutched the hunter to him closely. "Thank you.." he spoke warmly.

"You are my assignment. I need to protect you... for you to live..." Van Helsing said in reply.

Velkan closed his eyes, feeling every part of his senses tingle. The sound of Van Helsing's breath, and the distinct smell of him reminded him that he was not alone. Anna was gone, his family was gone.. But not him. Not Van Helsing. This man always stayed by him no matter what happened, whatever consequences there may be lying wait for him... He opened his eyes and saw the hunter's face, a soft look on his face.

Before the Gypsy Prince could stop himself, all his overwhelming emotions took control of him. His hands slid towards Van Helsing's face and their lips impacted together, this time catching Van Helsing off guard for a few mere second. But soon the shock dissipated. The hunter's lips moved in response, expressing his pleasure. Van Helsing felt his eyes subconsciously close and his body relax, in spite of the pain he felt. Each of them tasted the other, enjoying and welcoming all the marvelous seconds that passed between them.

However it did not last long.

X

Dracula witnessed this with widening eyes, his rage eating away his icy heart. Around his body a shrouding pitch black mist curled to his feet and his hands like coiling serpents. He could stand the jealousy of the brides, and Van Helsing's attempt to escape his palace. But not this. This treachery was agonizing, and his immortal mind fumed to see his Gabriel being taken away by the hands of his hated foe... Dracula's face had the deathly expression of the devil himself.

"VALERIOUSSSS!!!"

X

I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be

Lost as a candle lit at noon,

Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still

A spirit beautiful and bright,

Yet I am I, who long to be,

Lost as a light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out

My senses, leave me deaf and blind,

Swept by the tempest of your love,

A taper in a rushing wind.

I Am Not Yours – Sarah Teasdale (1884 - 1933)

X

It all happened in a blur.

Claws teared Velkan away from Van Helsing's lips, and the same came to Van Helsing. Except the scenario was different. While Velkan was thrown carelessly away, Van Helsing was grabbed by possessive hands that ripped his skin and made him gasp in his pain.

"YOU ARE MINE!" Dracula roared, his inhuman appearance making the hunter feel chills running through his entire body. Van Helsing felt thin tears reach his eyes. Dracula's sharp claws were slicing deeply inside his skin, drawing blood. The agony was unbearable. Suddenly the world seemed to spin as if he was falling from the sky. The strength he had left seeped away. Van Helsing lay inside his enemy's grip, bleeding unstoppably, weakly trying to make the immortal release him to no effect.

"INSOLENT WOLF!" Dracula ignored Van Helsing. His fury was consuming him.

Still holding the hunter in a vice-like grip he walked towards Velkan. The Prince was quickly trying to get up to his feet. However the Count was faster. He lifted Velkan easily with his will using just one rise of his fingers. Van Helsing watched in horror as he saw Velkan's face contort in pain, his eyes growing blood-shot.

"I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Dracula hissed wrathfully.

"No..." Van Helsing breathed, his chilling hands grabbing the collar of Dracula's military coat in one violent tug. For a moment Dracula looked down at him with irritation and mortal anger, but it had vanished to be replaced with an emotion he had not felt for a long time.

His grip on the Valerious Prince wavered and was lost. Van Helsing had seized Dracula's lips in one judgmental kiss, catching the vampire off guard since the days when the immortal was still a human being. Van Helsing caressed his nemesis's cold skin with his bloodied hands, and Dracula soon returned the gesture, vigorously kissing him back, falling deeper into the abyss of his once lost lover. Scarlet smeared each others faces, and it almost looked as if Dracula was feeding from the hunter.

Velkan had crumbled onto the ground upon his release, his vision barely focusing. He held a hand on his bare chest, feeling the timid heartbeat softly returning to its original rhythm. He shivered; for a moment he didn't understand why he was not dead. Then the Prince realized that Van Helsing had somehow managed to save him. Slowly his eyes focused together... and he bit his lips hard.

"Stop.." Velkan growled, standing up. All the while he watched as the man he had kissed before was being taken by his cruel rival. He could smell blood, and Velkan's eyes ignited with hunger. He pushed the emotion away desperately but it lingered within him.

Van Helsing continued to brush his lips against the vampire's. But inside he felt a turmoil chaining him to his own discarded thoughts. He had done what he did now to save Velkan's life, but in exchange was he killing himself? Would this be a death wish over his head, ribbons of black tying him to this vampire? When the Van Helsing heard Velkan call out, he stopped, guilt washing over him in an overwhelming tide.

Dracula sensed this; he let go of the hunter's lips and grinned malevolently at Velkan's direction, sinking his claws deeper into what he rightfully owned. Van Helsing inhaled sharply in agony, fighting to stay awake.

"Release him."

The Count smiled secretively, "He is bound to me. I alone, Prince Velkan."

Velkan's lips twitched, "That is for him to decide."

"Emotions are what costs the lives of many, wolf. That is why no matter how hard you try to defeat me you will never succeed..." Dracula mocked, laughing as he licked his lips, tasting the ravishing essence of his hunter's blood.

Van Helsing heard all of this with a grimace. But he wasn't able to reply. The pain striking his body was severe. He felt a tug of the familiar blackness he had befriended the last couple of days. Strangely, he thought he could hear a inviting song lulling him to sleep. It was a man's voice, calling his name melodiously. It haunted him as he closed his eyes to all senses...

X

Van Helsing's head fell back to rest on Dracula's shoulder, crimson drenching his porcelain skin. Velkan winced as if he was struck by a needle, feeling the same jealousy inside his chest. It was just like last time, when he was in the cell and Van Helsing was in the arms of that monster he despised with his life.

"You will be punished, wolf, for tainting my tortured angel. Feel relieved that you will not die by my hands tonight..." Dracula growled darkly. Behind his back, the night was slowly vanishing. Within minutes the sunset will flourish the world with its golden colors.

Chains appeared out of the ground, slithering wildly in the air and catching Velkan off guard. The Prince emitted a furious snarl as they clamped onto his ankles and wrist as if he was bitten by an animal.

"I will defeat you, Dracula! Van Helsing will be saved!" Velkan shouted, as his surroundings started to shimmer like water. Dracula glowered, his eyes roaring like hell's blazing fire. Darkness stirred and swallowed the two opponents completely, and when the mist finally vanished... they were all gone.

A/N: Ooh its the beginning of a tug-o-war! XD Who will win? -secretive smile- Wanna know? The purple button on the bottom of the page is your new best friend! ;) Please review! XD I promise I'll update soon!

Now I gotta go sleeppppp! x.X