Chapter Nine, By Mouse.

The white crusty smoke chocked her. She couldn't seem to stand up, and the darkness of her eyelids seemed so rewarding...it seemed to beckon her...she gave in.

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''Anna!'' Dracula cried out in pure panic. No, this was not happening! He had to help her, ''don't close your eyes Anna!'' He called out. But he didn't know she had already given in. She had given up hope.

The white crusted smoke finely cleared up, but Anna was nowhere in sight. He rushed over to the crumbled marble, and began lifting and pushing aside rocks of it and dust. Soon, about 35 minutes later, a curl of what used to be jet black now covered in white dust, appeared. He cried out angrily at himself, and lifted more rock off her. Yes, he knew Vampires are not fatal to this, why, there bones do not even break, but she was new, not as strong yet and he cared. Wait, He thought, I care? Yes...I love her.

He pulled the rocks and soon she was fully in sight. Her lifted her gently and took her to their chambers. He checked for broken bones, cuts, bruises, ANYTHING! His Anna would not be hurt for his jealousy. He healed all the physical damage, but knew it would be hard to heal her memory of this and her feelings towards him, if there was any feelings. She still looked gorgeous in his eyes, even if she had white crust in her hair and a few bruises that he wouldn't be allowed to touch because they were in places that were ''forbidden'' to him. Her eyes began to open, she coughed and whispered,

''What happened?'' She stared up at him,

''The marble pillar gave way, it took you down. I managed to get you out.'' Dracula left out the part about him pushing into it. What happened next was something that made his stomach flutter,

''Thank you. I know you didn't mean for this to happen...'' She trailed off, then added ''I'm sorry.''

''It's okay. You are safe now.'' He whispered. His hand stroked her cheek, she didn't back away in disgust. She was seeing him in a new light.

''I'm a really only a pest?'' She suddenly asked. He stopped stroking her cheek for a moment, then smiled and said,

''No. You can be, but no.'' She laughed a little, before closing her eyes, and dreamt of his smile.

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Dracula left her in the coffin, knowing this may only be a side affect of what had just happened, but she had smiled...AT HIM! He could dance for joy, but he caught himself, he wasn't about to get all giddy over some girl who had just smiled at him...or was he? Yes, he would go out, and get her something she really liked...He decided to go out in disguise so nobody would be frightened. Quickly, he draped himself and grabbed a bag of coins and headed down to the village, to the booths of jewels. He smiled and looked for something Anna might like. He thought back, he had never got anything for his other brides, they were just too clingy.

Passing many hours at the booths, he found something. A golden chain, with a tiny eagle locket on it, with a sapphire for its eye. Perfect, but it cost a lot. He dumped the bag on the table, in front of the gypsy, knowing fine well that that was more than enough. He turned and walked back up to the castle, holding the chain as if it would bring Anna closer to him.

He soon arrived, and wandered back into the chambers, to find Anna sitting up,

''Where were you?'' She asked, looking down,

''Out. Why? What happened?'' Dracula noticed she wasn't too happy.

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(A/N: This Is what happened once Dracula had left)

Anna slept, for about an hour, before sitting up because she heard a crash,

''Dracula?'' She called out into the dancing darkness,

''It is not him. It's me! Anna! It's me! Van Helsing!'' Van Helsing called out,

''Oh no...Van, please, you have to leave!'' She couldn't see him, but she knew his face would be crest fallen,

''I have come to save you!'' He said after a while.

''I do not need saving! I am fine! Please, just go!'' She managed to choke,

''But-'' He began,

''No! Just go!'' She cut in.

''Anna-'' He started again,

''NO!'' She cried. She had to protect him.

''Do you not love me?'' He asked, taking her by surprise, she had to hurt him to protect him,

''No. I do not love you.'' With that, he left.

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''Nothing.'' Anna said plainly, ''Just wondered where you were.''

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hehe, arnt I evil? I hope I didnt make anybody cry (with my poor writing)-

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Stay tuned for chapter 10!