A/n: Thankies for review so far!

Blood and Candlelight: What Wakes the Soul

"Nee-sama."

Seto chuckled slightly as the thirteen year old entered the room.

Even after all these years he still referred to his idol as Nee-sama.

"Yes Mokuba? Be quick about this, I'm very busy."

Mokuba nodded, flashing a smile and sat on the edge of his brother's desk.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box.

"Hey, I got you something."

Seto stared at the small gray box, knowing what was inside.

"Mokuba...you know I haven't decided yet."

Mokuba chuckled and shook his head.

"Yes you have, you just don't know it that's all. Just take it off my hands at the very least. Look, it's your style even, you could just wear it."

Seto took the box and looked at the blue diamond ring inside.

"I'm...only eighteen Mokuba. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."

Mokuba sighed and glanced out the window behind him.

"Don't keep her waiting big bro. The more you think about it the more it'll start to eat you alive. Just do it okay? If I'm wrong than I'll formally apologize."

He only got as far as the door before Seto stopped him.

"Mokuba."

He glanced back to see a rare kind of smile on his brother's lips.

"Yes Nee-sama?"

Seto chuckled again and shook his head.

"Just I love you. Nothing more."

Mokuba nodded.

"I love you too Nee-sama."

The words had just rolled off his tongue that day.

'I love you Mokuba.'

''

Seto gave a contented sigh, half asleep.

"So warm. It feels good."

He turned his head to face the window.

"It's been so long since I've seen the sun."

Suddenly his eyes snapped open and panic struck.

"Anzu! Quick I have to have a dark place!"

She woke with a start, thinking quickly she pulled the window shut and let down the shade.

But still, thin rays of light crept towards Seto and his panic increased.

He dove backward and clamored under the bed.

Not the most desired or comfortable of places, especially because a forgotten pair of high heels was clawing into his back, but at the moment it was the best escape from third and forth degree burns which would take forever to heal.

It wasn't the first time he'd been caught in the sun, but he never wanted to experience that kind of pain ever again.

After a moment Anzu looked under and reached her hand out.

Instinctively he growled at her, unsure if he could come out yet.

"I covered the window with a heavy blanket."

He slowly took her hand and crawled out.

It took a moment to calm himself.

"That was too close."

Anzu wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"I know."

He looked into her eyes.

"I really need to sleep now. If I mess up my pattern I'll have to stay in the dark room again."

She looked up at him in concern.

"What's that?"

He looked away.

"It's a room with no light and no contact. It's a form of punishment and rescheduling. By spending three days in there my instincts will take over and I'll return to the right time. Not even the master can see in it."

She drew him close and pulled him down onto the bed again.

"I'll lay with you until you fall asleep."

He smiled softly and nodded, wrapping his arms tightly around her and resting his face in the crease of her neck.

She waited until he was asleep to slowly pry herself away and sighed as she stood.

'I hope you'll be okay while I'm gone.'

''

Seto woke slowly that night to see three figures standing over him.

He sat up quickly as he realized they were soldier vampires.

Had the master elder sent them?

He sat frozen as he heard a muffled scream to his left.

They had Anzu.

A fourth man stood in the doorway, holding her closely.

He spoke slowly, completely aware that they could kill her at any moment.

"Am I in trouble gentlemen?"

The three shook their heads 'no'.

"Can we talk about this without her?"

Again the shook their heads.

"Tell me what's going on here. If one of you doesn't start speaking I'll make sure the master takes your heads."

He gripped the sheet in fear, his knuckles turning white as Anzu screamed again.

What was he doing to her and why were these four here?

At the one closest to him his spoke.

"You are in violation of the code. No mortal shall know about you unless they have willingly given their body to you."

Seto looked over at Anzu.

'Damn! They healed already. She isn't under my control so they can't sense my intentions.'

He took a deep breath, about to speak but suddenly found himself frozen.

"We will take care of this situation one time only. The next time you will be punished."

He heard Anzu's constant screams of his name, but he was unable to do anything but watch the four descend upon her.

One to either side of her neck and to each wrist.

He could hear her heart beat slowing, and grew desperate.

He'd never tried to speak with the master through his mind but he couldn't break the spell the four jurors had placed on him.

'Master, if you can hear this...PLEASE HELP ME!'

He watched with tears in his eyes as they had to hold up her body to continue feeding.

'No, please stop, you're killing her! STOP!'

Suddenly he was able to move and in a bright red flash the four were gone.

In their place the elder stood, Anzu dangling from his arms.

He sat there in complete fear as he listened, unable to detect a heartbeat.

"Is...did they...she can't be..."

The elder closed his eyes and kissed her softly.

Her wounds began to heal and her heart started again.

He placed her in Seto's arms.

"Be very careful of them. They almost succeeded. The next time you take her, use the mind link or this will happen again and I won't be so generous."

And with that he was gone.

Seto stared down at her for a moment, worried about her shallow breathing and relatively slow heartbeat.

'She can't stay like this, it will take much too long for her to recover on her own.'

He leaned down and bit her lightly, but enough to show and carried her away.