Zuko sighed, lifting a hand to his head in distress as he lay on the bed within his dull chambers. At first, the idea of being held hostage had been a rather frightening, exciting prospect. However, the luster of his predicament soon died down as he began to feel restlessly disinterested. He couldn't stop thinking up multitudes of reasons why he was being held captive, although none of them seemed reasonable or even the slightest bit likely. He brushed the hair from his eyes with a sigh, turning his pillow over beneath his head. Was his family looking for him? Was his father even the least concerned about his absence? Had anyone even noticed by now?
A knock on his door caught his attention, sparking a bit of hope in his gut. Perhaps it was Setsuya! He had many questions to ask the vampire, and could hardly contain them all within the barriers of his mind. "May I come in?" a feminine voice called from the other side. Zuko couldn't help but frown at the excessive courtesy he was being shown, at least, for his imprisoned status.
"Yes," he responded simply, standing up and brushing the wrinkles from his clothes. It wouldn't do for him to lounge in the presence of a lady. Zuko stood calmly as the door was unlocked and opened, revealing only pure darkness. He scowled, knowing he couldn't navigate through the pitch black shadows the way these creatures obviously could. I'll have to find some way to the surface ground. However, all thoughts in his mind froze blank when a slender figure stepped into the room, accompanied by an exquisite aura that drew attention from any other concept.
The female was clothed in a slimming black skirt that ran down to the floor, along with a laced blouse that conservatively hid the majority of her skin. Her well-rounded body stood in a graceful posture, hands folded tightly at her midsection. However, her curvaceous appearance was not held into account when one caught sight of her face. Strikingly crimson hair outlined delicate features, which held the essence of both grace and gentleness. Her pastel skin plainly opposed her hair in a stunning way, though she was hardly as pale as Setsuya was. Her lips barely moved as she spoke timidly, "My name is Akane. Lord Setsuya requested that I check up on you." What was most bizarre about her appearance were the dark cerulean eyes that glistened against the light as she spoke.
Zuko nodded slightly, still breath-taken by the magnificence of this woman. Never before had he considered the existence of a female vampire, nor had he really pondered the legitimacy of any such individual. When he found his voice he said the first thing that came to his mind. "Umm.... Thank you?" He bit his lower lip, trying his best to be polite, but having a difficult time not bombarding her with questions.
Akane's smile faded as she inspected the teen thoroughly from a distance. "You're awfully young to be here," she whispered, more to herself than the other. "Forgive me for keeping my distance. Precautions, you understand."
It was Zuko's turn to smile. "Understand? Not really. Setsuya hardly explained a thing."
"Oh, that's quite normal for my master," she nodded enthusiastically, as the ice between them was shattered. Her fine hair swayed elegantly as she spoke. "Lord Setsuya is not a very social man, nor a very predictable one."
"Is he always addressed so formally?" Zuko asked, testing the waters for his limitations. Perhaps he could wrestle for more information if he was cautious.
Apparently, Akane had no trouble answering his inquiries, as she replied immediately, "Oh, of course! He is a savior among out kind. Lord Setsuya is the, oh, how would you call him? The manager of this estate. As your Firelord rules the humans, Lord Setsuya controls the population underground."
At the mention of his father, Zuko felt a terrible dip in his stomach, as he fought to change the subject. "Then there are many..." He struggled whether or not to use the direct word.
"Vampires," she supplied for him with a dull, yet sincere laugh. "Please, feel free to address us for what we are. And yes, there are a little over one hundred of us that dwell beneath the earth. Perhaps not many compared to your own civilization, but we are a thriving society."
"And do you happen to have any idea why I am being held captive here?" he asked, trying to get to the very heart of the matter. The notion of an actual vampire before him was absolutely fascinating, but mattered far less as long as he could return home.
Akane appeared rather surprised by the remark, taking a step forward only to jerk back suddenly, as though stepping upon hot coals. "I can not remark," she murmured, her eyes shut in concentration, unnerving Zuko slightly, as though he had touched an awkward subject. "Lord Setsuya's motives are not always clear, but they always have a purpose. You needn't be frightened of him though." Her bright eyes opened, holding a touch of admiration. "He has not fed off a human being for many years, and that was when..." She trailed off, glancing down at the floor suddenly. "Nevertheless, he will ensure that no harm comes to you. It is law here that no vampire is to feed off of the blood of a living human."
The word 'living' made Zuko feel a bit queasy. Hopefully that implied that they were also not allowed to murder a human and then feed from them. "But how is it that you stay alive?" he asked with a frown, the situation becoming more and more confusing by the moment. "To not feed from blood- isn't that fatal?"
Akane offered a half-hearted smile as she responded, "Well, in all honesty, we are not technically alive. Lord Setsuya may clarify the details to you. However, extended fasting does cause us extreme anguish and compels us to do rather rash things. And so, we feed from the blood of animals as our primary source of sustenance." Her hands fumbled slightly as she spoke, as though becoming increasingly anxious as time passed.
"Ah." Zuko frowned, wondering how the mechanics of an undead person were explained. Nevertheless, he chose not to ask Akane any more questions, for fear of driving her away for good. "Thank you."
"Of course, sir." She bowed to him, making him feel a bit uncomfortable. He was quite used to being bowed to, but it seemed strange under such circumstances. "Before I've forgotten, there is one thing I must warn you of." Her eyes grew dangerously narrow and her smile disintegrated. "Never ever ask anyone here how they came to be one of the Kyuuketsuki. There is never a happy story behind it." With these words, Akane nodded respectfully and slipped out of the room. Despite Zuko's bewilderment, he couldn't help but notice she had not locked the door behind her. He inconspicuously inched closer to the wall, tapping on the doorknob in contemplation. Get lost in a pitch black labyrinth full of blood-feeders? Not a perfect plan, but it had potential in some form or another. Zuko shook his head and took a step backward. If he could reason with Setsuya, this whole matter could be resolved within minutes. All he had to do was wait with the utmost patience until-
The door swung open once more and Zuko found himself face to face with said vampire. Ah, how convenient, seeing as how patience had never been his greatest virtue. He put on his best diplomatic face, stepping back to allow the man into the room. The graceful elegance with which he made the most simple of gestures intimidated the young man to a high degree, but he refused to back down. "Setsuya," he began, glaring into the other's violet, emotionless eyes. "I demand to know why you are holding me hostage. Immediately," he growled in afterthought.
The vampire lord merely gazed upon him with surprise. "To be honest, that matter doesn't concern you in the least bit." He tapped his foot to punctuate the sentence.
Facing the six-foot man was by no means easy, seeing as how Zuko was rather small and thin for his age. However, he was not about to fall back. "How can you say that to my face, hmm? I'm the one who's stuck in a cell. I've done nothing to wrong you or your people. What could you possibly want with me? If it isn't my blood, then what?" His voice began to quiver in rage.
The white lips of the man pursed slightly as he responded, "You needn't concern yourself with such trivial matters. You must calmly accept the fact that you are now within my territory, and therefore under my discretion."
"Calmly accept? What in the world are you playing at?! I don't belong here!" Zuko's voice rose, his palms sweating. "What the hell do you want?! Money? Land? Power? Whatever it is! For Agni's sake, at least tell me why I'm here! I deserve that much!"
Setsuya frowned slightly, tossing his unkempt hair in front of his eyes to veil his expression. "I have not harmed you in any way. You should be grateful for that."
"Grateful?!" he spat, trying to withhold the fire brewing at his fingertips. "You lock me up like a prisoner and then decline to explain yourself! You can't keep me here forever!"
"Can't I?" The man chuckled at the obvious wrath in the teen's eyes.
"Of course not!" Zuko shouted, bringing a frustrated hand to his forehead. How dare you play with my head!
"And why not?" he egged him on, brushing his hair back to show the slightest hint of a smile.
"I'd find a way around you!" Zuko exclaimed, clasping a firm hand to Setsuya's arm. The man flinched, as the warmth of the hand seeped through his clothing and singed his skin. This boy was apparently a firebender, and an impulsive one.
"What are you going to do?" the man teased, taunting his wrath. "Kill me?" He knew it was dangerous, but he wanted to push the boy as far as he could and test his limitations.
However, the comment had a strange effect on the teenager. His golden eyes dimmed slightly, as he withdrew his cooled hand and wrapped his arm around his midsection limply. "Of course not," he murmured, staring at the ground as he spoke, an unreadable expression written across his face. "Even if I could..." Zuko laughed dismally at himself. "I'm being childish, aren't I?" The words seeped through the atmosphere like wet ink through thin paper.
Setsuya found himself at yet another loss for words, staring down the sullen teenager with all of his might. "You know," he spoke in a dangerously soft tone, forcing Zuko to raise his head to listen. "I wouldn't keep the truth from you if I didn't care for your wellbeing." He took a step forward, closing his eyes in a wistful sigh, as he could almost feel the warmth radiating from the boy's body. He winced as the scent of young blood became a bit overpowering, driving a long imprisoned sensation wild.
A long pause ensued, drenching the room in uncomfortable silence. "Why would you care about that?" Zuko muttered, raising a dubious eyebrow.
"Do you have to know everything at once?" Setsuya asked with a smile, examining his own fingernails. He snuck a glance at the teen, who seemed to be trying not to roll his eyes.
"Yes," he admitted with a sigh, stuffing his hands into his pockets. He looked up to see that the man had snatched a lock of his hair, twisting it disinterestedly around his fingers. Perhaps being a little calmer would coax information out of the man. "Can you blame me for being a little inquisitive? After all, I would prefer that this all end quickly. It's only been a few hours and the damp stench has already nauseated me to no end." He tried to ignore the cold hand that was now curiously stroking his hair.
"Humans... so impatient, so easily irritated, and ever so oblivious." Setsuya smirked, engaging the teen in a sudden staring contest that turned out to be in his favor. "I'm surprised you've lingered here for this long. Shouldn't you be trying to escape by now?" The frosty hand slipped down to neck, catching his breath within his throat.
Zuko chuckled darkly, pulling away from the man's touch as a sinking feeling pressed a dent into the pit of his stomach. "Oblivious, perhaps, but I'm not entirely stupid. I've never been taken hostage before, but I'm educated enough to know when the cards aren't in my favor." This man was far too gentle to be the enemy.... In a strange, unsettling sort of way.
Setsuya frowned, shaking his head lightly, his beauty more apparent than ever before as he stood in the dim light. "I wish you would stop using those words. I like to think of you as our honored guest for a rather extensive period of time." He ignored Zuko's obvious discomfort and stepped closer to the boy, leaning down to meet his eyelevel. The raven-haired teen took another step back, trying not to be intimidated by the soul-searching stare. However, even bent down gracefully to his own height, the man clearly outmatched Zuko in every way, shape, and form.
"Tell me, Zuko. Are you frightened of me?" The prospect seemed to delight him, his amethyst eyes sparking mischievously.
Despite the unsettling feeling in his gut, the teen stared hard into the eyes of the glowing man. So that was it then? Setsuya like to see him frightened? Well, then he certainly had another thing coming! "What would make you consider such a thing?" he asked calmly, determined not to break his gaze.
"I am not fooled very easily when it comes to such matters," Setsuya stated in a matter-of-factly tone. Zuko could feel an icy breath taint his cheek, forcing him to swallow hard. "You see, I can attune my hearing to your heartbeat within at least a mile radius. It beats far more rapidly when I approach you, a rather easy giveaway if I do say so myself. Of course, it is a rather tempting sound. I must be a masochist." His eyes gleamed with amusement, fingers tracing the crease of the other's neck. "It is so very difficult. You have no idea."
Zuko could not deny this by any means, having no desire to sink his nonexistent sharp teeth into the jugular vein of another organism. But, to each his own... "Akane said that you don't drink from the blood of humans."
Setsuya sighed, his playful smile fading. "She is ultimately correct. I have not done so for a long time, but you are the most tempting of creatures offered before me. Your sweet blood it is like nothing I have ever sensed. In fact, the majority of our population is edgy concerning your presence. However, I will ensure that no harm comes to you."
Offered? I don't remembering volunteering... "Don't you think it'd be a little easier if you just let me go?" Zuko muttered stubbornly, glaring at the vampire, who merely showed off his pearly white teeth with a smile. He noted in the back of mind that those razor-like incisors were somehow retractable.
Setsuya laughed, shaking his head. "Perhaps," he whispered, kneeling down before Zuko, coming up to his neck in height. "Now then. Stay still." Before giving the teen time to respond, he wrapped his arms around the teen's waist, pulling him close. The natural, radiating warmth caused the man to sigh in reprieve.
"Wha-What are y-?"
"Shush!" he prodded Zuko, before bringing his forehead to his throat. There he relished the sound of his heartbeat, which turned not only to be rapid, but erratic. The musical pattern was like a dinner invitation tied up in a neat little bow.
Thump... Thump, Thump... Thump, Thump... Thump.... Thump...
Setsuya sighed, an uncomfortable buzzing dangerously loud in his mind. Just a few more seconds... He lowered his head to Zuko's chest, keeping his hands steady at the base of his back as he listened intently for the lovely pulse that slowed down by the second as the teen in his arms relaxed. Satisfied with himself, Setsuya stood, still embracing the warm body against him. "There. That wasn't so hard."
"Wha-What did you do?" Zuko asked hesitantly, chilled by both his touch and actions. He shivered as a hand ran up the length of his spine.
"Just making sure I can restrain myself. It wouldn't do for me to lose control." He nestled his head into Zuko's hair, breathing deeply, causing the teen's nerves to fray. A cold hand caressed his lower back, the arms around him secure yet frigid.
"Do... Do you mind?" Zuko squirmed to little avail, trying to escape the iron grip of the vampire lord. He could feel the warmth of his body fade at terrifying speeds, as small bumps trickled up his arms. His blood ran icy cold and his throat clamped down around his breath.
"What?" The man seemed confused as the teen tried to struggle away from his embrace. "What is wrong with you?" he asked with exasperation, as though the teen bore some strange affliction.
"Could you not... hold me so close, please?" he finished lamely, an odd pink tint manifesting upon his cheeks.
Setsuya smiled, misinterpreting the comment. "I thought you were not afraid of me," he whispered in his ear, somewhat entertained. The teen withheld a sharp gasp as the vampire pressed himself flush against him, breathing in his scent deeply.
Zuko frowned, determined not to give the vampire the satisfaction. "Of course not. You're just a little... cold." As he spoke, he ran a hesitant finger across the man's white neck, compelling his entire hand to go numb. An unanswered question lingered on the tip of his tongue.
"Oh!" Setsuya exclaimed in surprised, stepping back quickly. "I'm so sorry! Your warmth felt so nice..." He looked away, as though ashamed. The smile was still apparent along his features. "You see, when your heart stops, your circulatory system shuts completely down. My body temperature is far below normal." As he spoke, he noticed Zuko trying not to shiver, doubtlessly doing a terrible job. Without giving him a second glance, he whipped off his dark cloak and wrapped it loosely around the teen's shoulders. The loss of the cloak exposed his snow-white arms, no tan lines or blemishes to speak of.
The adolescent turned nearly as pale as the vampire himself. "Your... heart?"
"Is not currently in motion," Setsuya murmured, his smile never fading. He set his hands on his hips and sighed, his forlorn gaze somewhat of a sham. "It has not been pumping for... one hundred and three years."
"One... One hundred and-" Zuko clutched the cloak to him, looking dazed.
"I just happen to be the oldest vampire here. That would be why I am the leader."
"You certainly don't look that old," Zuko stammered out, trying to break his stunned silence.
"Package deal with the whole immortality arrangement," Setsuya waved a careless hand, becoming quite comfortable now that the teen was taking to him without hostility in his voice. "Preservation, agelessness... I am sure you have heard a few correct things from those 'legends'. My appearance has altered a bit, but I am no different than when I was, say... seventeen years old."
"Seventeen!" Zuko's jaw dropped, no longer trying to maintain any rule of etiquette. The cloak slipped from his hands, though Setsuya caught it in a second. He wrapped the teen back inside of it with nimble hands, this time fastening it securely.
"Is that so hard to believe?" His expression turned troubled, as he calculated the teen's features.
"No," Zuko murmured, noting how the remark bothered the man. "That's ..." He didn't honestly want to say 'impressive', for it seemed like an odd comment concerning the time when one's heart ceased to stop beating, especially at such a young age. "That's interesting. To be so young and manage to maintain an underground empire. It's truly remarkable."
Setsuya glanced at him with surprise, then smiled. The dull light of the room seemed to shimmer off of him as he spoke. "Really? It is quite the accomplishment, is it not? I have quite the experience seeing as how I'm over one-hundred and twenty years old, but back then..." His voice faded suddenly and his eyes narrowed dangerously, the amethyst eyes no longer holding the forthcoming, warm gaze they once did. "Excuse me," he muttered, his voice taking a sharp turn. In an instant the vampire vanished, locking the door behind him.
Zuko blinked as silence seeped into the depths of the room, not entirely sure that Setsuya had ever been there in the first place. The only evidence supporting such was the dark cloak still wrapped around his shoulders. The teen shook his head, sighing with exasperation. He'd be damned if he ever figured out the situation under which he was being controlled. Another silent moment passed before he allowed himself to unwind... When an icy hand wrapped tightly around his wrist, making him nearly leap out of his skin.
Zuko's heart slammed into his ribcage, as he gazed into a pair of violet eyes which held fierce determination. "Setsuya?" He asked in a choked voice, but the vampire pressed a slender finger against his lips, silencing him instantly. The door was left swinging in his wake.
"No time," he whispered, shaking his head sternly. "Follow me. You're in danger." His eyes had never looked so pressing, giving the teen a lasting impression that this was no time to question him.
Define danger...? Zuko just bit his lip to keep from remarking, as Setsuya grasped his arm and led into the pitch-black corridor.
Before Zuko could even blink he found himself pressed up against an uncomfortably stony wall, Setsuya's cold form pressed up flesh against his. It didn't seem as though the other man was breathing, as he listened intently for any sounds outside of the room. The teenager remembered in the back of his head that the man was undead, and probably didn't need to breathe anyway. Within an instant he had his arms wrapped around the young teen, as though trying to smother him senseless.
"Could you please try and keep you heart rate down?" Setsuya hissed at him, icy breath tainting his ear. "It is difficult enough with me this close to you, but-"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Zuko whispered heatedly glaring at the irritated figure. "I didn't realize that it would pose as a problem. Here, let me stab myself now!"
"Shut up!" The vampire's annoyance was prominent, as they stood pressed together in the dark room. "Try to relax." His grip on the boy tightened almost unbearably. Zuko's breath came in silent gasps as the freezing clutches of the man overcame him.
"What are you doing?" the boy cried, trying to squirm his way out of the other's grasp. "Agni, you're crushing me." The complete and utter darkness failed to calm his nerves, as definite rustling could be heard from the hallway.
"Trying to block out your scent," Setsuya murmured, caressing the back of his neck. Icy cold sensations jolted down his spine.
"Oh, of course! That explains everything!" If sarcasm could kill, Setsuya would an elite member of the undead.
"Although it would be a little easier if you calmed down... Please?" he added in a last minute attempt, stroking the boy's cheek with tenderness.
Zuko finally relaxed, allowing himself to lean into the body holding him, although unable to cease his shivering. Setsuya sighed in approval, soaking in the warmth of the teenager with delight. How long had it been since he had allowed himself such frivolous indulgence? He rewarded the boy with the only thing he could think of that he might desire: information.
"There is a young vampire on the loose outside," he whispered, moving his left hand down to the younger's waist. "She caught whiff of you and went taking off for your room. She would have torn you apart in three seconds flat."
"Young vampire?" Zuko whispered, trying to focus on retaining his body heat.
"Within the first few weeks of being a vampire, self-control is nonexistent. It is not her fault so much as it is yours." Setsuya's deep laugh sent chills up his spine, his lips pressed ominously against his neck.
"Well, I'm not going to apologize!" Zuko growled, shoving his hands against the man's chest, trying desperately to pull away. "It's not my responsibility! It's not my fault you're keeping me here! ...Is it?" His voice quaked for a note, waiting for the man's answer. He suppressed a gasp as a chilly hand slipped under his tunic and traced a soft pattern against his skin.
"In a way," he responded, running a second hand along the teen's back. He tilted his head to whisper in the boy's ear, "But then again, such beauty cannot possibly be a mistake." The ambiguous statement silenced the young man, his breath caught within his throat.
Zuko exhaled slowly as the vampire brought his icy lips to his cheek, his silky raven hair brushing against his face. He traced a blind hand up Setsuya's slim figure to the top of the man's head, where he slowly kneaded the sleek hair. His other hand unconsciously went to the hip of the vampire, who inhaled sharply in response. The teen wondered vaguely if their contact was at all appropriate for the situation. The frosty lips left a numbing path, as they gently caressed the outline of his jaw, causing the boy to struggle for breath.
Zuko felt his eyes flutter closed as his knees began to quiver under his weight, as Setsuya's hands tenderly cupped his face. The vampire sighed, coming within a millimeter of his lips... before pulling back. His arms dropped to his sides and he stepped away, forcing Zuko to withdraw his contact from the man.
His aura reversed itself as recognition drifted into his senses. "She's been detained," he said, authority gushing back into his voice. "There's a table to your left with a candle. Light it if you wish." With a draft of air and a thud the man was gone, the door drifting open and shut within the blink of an eye.
Zuko glared at the dark abyss for a good several seconds. "'Light a candle' he says... He can light his own damn candle." The teen had no idea why he was so frustrated with the vampire. After all, the man had done nothing but try to protect him. Perhaps it was the alarming frigid shivers running up and down his body that made him so tetchy. Reaching a hand out to his left, he ran a finger across a smooth wooden surface. His finger came into contact with a metal plate that held the candle, and lit the wick with a snap of his fingers.
The small flame did a poor job of illuminating the room, but it was a bit more comfortable than pure darkness. The room was the same size as his 'cell', though slightly more furnished. A rather large bookcase was settled to one side, across from a rigid mahogany desk in the corner. Scrolls of all shapes and sizes were mounted upon it, some open and others stained with fresh ink. Zuko noticed a small, dark couch to his right, which looked as though it had little other purpose other than to sit and look nice. Otherwise, the room was as cold and gloomy as his own.
The silence in the room was ironically deafening, and Zuko was forced to break it the only way he could think of: He began to speak with himself, "So, my blood must be pretty appetizing to cause all this trouble. That sounds rather strange when I say it aloud. I wonder if I ought to be flattered."
"Of course you should be," a soft voice murmured from behind him, making him jolt with surprise. He stumbled forward, glancing back to see Setsuya, whose slight smile was elucidated by the flickering candle.
"You scared me," Zuko scolded, putting a hand to his heart. "Do you always have to pop out of nowhere?" He tried to calm his pulse for the sake of Setsuya's comfort zone.
"Do you always talk to yourself?" he retorted, seating himself on the couch with poise. "I only saved you from embarrassing yourself."
"Eavesdropper," he spat, turning his attention to the vampire's bookshelf, frowning at it. He rested a hand on his hip, glaring suspiciously at the scrolls and volumes.
"What?" Setsuya asked with a smile, raising an eyebrow at the teen. "You look like you have a question." The young man couldn't express the feelings that boiled in his stomach as his gaze met the vampire's amethyst eyes.
"Do you always keep it pitch-black in here?" Zuko asked, flipping his unkempt hair with a lazy hand.
"Generally," he answered with an odd face, yet entertained. "I like the dark. Why do you ask?"
The teen gestured to the books and the desk. "How do you read?" The seriousness of his demeanor almost caused the vampire to burst into laughter.
Stifling his amusement, Setsuya responded, "Out of all the things you could have asked, you want to know how I can read in the dark?" His violet eyes glittered with enthusiasm that his expression refused to show.
Zuko scowled at him, tapping his foot with irritation. "Yes. What, is it some forbidden secret?"
The vampire lord smiled before gesturing over to him. "Come here," he whispered seductively, beckoning him with a single hand. The boy approached him with reluctance, taking a seat on the couch next to the quiet man. His light body sunk into the cushions comfortably, causing him to sigh with relief. It had been a while since he had allowed himself to relax after all. Setsuya smiled at him, before placing a pale hand on his shoulder and leaning forward to gaze into his eyes.
"Do you know what darkness is?" Setsuya asked, blinking with mind-boggling lethargy. The young teen felt his chest expand and contract, but he could not feel his breath.
"The absence of light," Zuko responded mechanically, ignoring the fingertip stroking the ridge of his neck.
"Naturally. I mean, aside from that. What is it?"
A chill ran down the teen's body as he tried to calculate an answer. "I- I'm not sure."
The vampire sighed, his black hair grazing his collarbone. The glimmer in his eyes was abnormally polished in the candlelight. "To humans, it is an element of vagueness and ambiguity. You cannot see in the darkness because there is no apparent distinction in your sight between the shadows and objects within them." Zuko nodded, motioning for him to continue. "Now, imagine if you could adjust the pupil of your eye to detect even the slightest shade or tone of an entity. That you could adjust and tilt your optic disk to allow a magnified reflection of what you see."
Zuko's eyes went wide, staring at the mystifying male. "You can do that?"
Setsuya nodded, leaning forward to examine the boy's expression. "Sure. Can't you?" He forced back a smile as the teen chuckled with amusement. "We can not see color within the darkness, but we can read even the smallest of prints in a book along with any other article apart from nothingness."
"Neat," Zuko remarked simply with a shrug, trying not to look too impressed despite his awe. "And all of those tales about the vampires not being able to enter the sunlight? Is that why you all stay down here?"
Setsuya eyed him strangely, raising a peculiar eyebrow. Zuko could feel the frostiness of the man's breath against his neck, their faces only inches apart. "The only thing keeping us stuck underground is a contract with the Firelo-" His words seemed to freeze in his mouth, and were swallowed quickly in a single breath. But the damage had been done.
Zuko's eyes narrowed as he pushed the vampire back onto the side of the couch, straddling him around the midsection. Setsuya was surprised by how forceful the teenager was and how his demeanor had reversed itself. "You have a contract with my father? You have communication with him?" he hissed, his voice full of venom. His hands pinned the vampire to the couch, demanding his full attention.
"Your father..." The vampire cleared his throat, looking away in discomfort. "No, I do not have personal communication with the current leader of the Fire Nation. Now will you please allow me to sit up?" The heat radiating from the teen's body was no longer soothing, but dangerous and irksome.
"Not until you tell me what I need to know!" Zuko growled, clutching the collar of his robes.
Setsuya shrugged with remorse. "Your call." In a moment's time, Zuko found himself sitting on the ground next to the sofa, his backside paining him slightly and his wrists aggravated. He glanced upward, eying the vampire seated with composure once more.
"You didn't have to throw me," Zuko muttered, staggering to his feet and collapsing onto the couch with a sigh.
"You wouldn't get off," he remarked, studying his glistening fingernails with boredom. "You should have predicted that."
The other glared, massaging his left wrist gently. "Well, obviously it wasn't a fair match. I can't measure up to your speed-"
"Or strength," the vampire provided, making the younger wince in irritation.
Zuko sighed with impatience, allowing himself to lean against the frigid body beside him. Setsuya tensed as the young man nestled into his form, bringing a warmth that was almost frighteningly pleasant. He couldn't remember what it felt like to have blood of his own, and this boy's relaxing heat seemed almost endless. "Where did you learn how to do that?" he asked the teen quietly, as his eyes fluttered shut.
"Do what?" he asked, resting his head on the man's shoulder. He began to vaguely wonder when it became alright for him to become so physical with the man. In his exasperation, he felt as though Setsuya had won some sort of battle for the right to this ease between them.
"Altering your body heat," Setsuya whispered, bringing a chilling arm around his waist to pull him closer. Warmth spilled into his body, overwhelming him to a certain extent. He moaned softly in the young man's ear, making him shiver.
"I'm a firebender," Zuko murmured, yawning halfway between words.
"It's an advanced concept," the vampire responded, allowing his head to rest on the other man's. "You must be a prodigy."
Zuko frowned, thoughts turned immediately to his sister. He shivered and shook his head, attempting to pull away, but the man held him even tighter. "N-No, I'm not that good at all," he admitted squirming uncomfortably. "It's pretty much something that comes naturally to me. Whenever I become angered, if I can focus on lowering my circulatory temperature, then I can keep my mind clear. I supposed that if I could lower it, I could heighten it as well." The teen hadn't realized until now how much time he spent focusing on body heat. It certainly had been useful in his encounters with Azula...
"Interesting," Setsuya proclaimed, bringing his lips back to Zuko's neck, feeling the soft and steady pulse beneath them. The boy's heartbeat echoed harshly in his mind, rhythmic yet pulsating and tedious. His upper lip sneered, allowing the smallest prick of a sharpened incisor to pass through the teen's flesh. The young man froze in his arms as Setsuya pulled away, eying the dew-sized drop of blood collect on his skin with lustful eyes.
"Se-Setsuya?" Zuko whispered, gripping the vampire's arm tightly. He tensed his body, automatically slipping a hand to his belt where it lingered on the dagger hidden beneath the folds of his clothes. He could remember somewhere in the back of his mind that his older cousin Lu Ten had once informed him that vampires could be killed with some sort of metal. Steel? Or perhaps it was silver. The man's icy breath grazed the crevice of his neck, as he clenched his teeth together anxiously. Probably wouldn't work anyway.
The vampire lord noticed this movement, but said nothing to stop him. There was a reason he had allowed the boy to keep his concealed weapons, after all. Zuko shuddered, as an unpleasantly warm sensation ran down his skin. Setsuya smiled into his flesh, as he touched his tongue to the excess flow of blood trickling down his neck. The young man felt a soft groan stir in the back of his throat, as his eyes fluttered shut with tension. A strange feeling whirled in the pit of his stomach and leapt to his chest with an exhilarating jolt.
Setsuya unreservedly licked at the boy's neck, mind clouded with the desire for a taste long forgotten. He growled against Zuko's flesh when the blood flow had stopped, tightening his hand around the teen's neck with cruel force. The young man shuddered under his touch, trying to maintain a clear mind, but that tongue slithering up and down his throat was making it rather difficult. Zuko's lips emitted a soft, silky moan as Setsuya's powerful hands ran up and down his slim figure with depleting restraint. Further blood was coaxed from the small wound, as Setsuya emitted deep, seductive noises that the teenager had never heard in his lifetime.
"Se-Setsuya?!" Zuko groaned as the hands around his form grasped at him with unbearable firmness. He began to feel weak underneath the painful grasp of the vampire. "Damn it! Knock it off!" The young man whirled his leg from underneath him, kicking the man square in the chest. Setsuya let out a grunt, putting a hand to where his heart would be and sliding over to the other side of the couch. Zuko panted softly as the electric nerves in his chest faded, allowing him to breath properly again. He put a hand to his neck, tracing the warm trail of blood that ran down his throat. "I'm sorry," he called to vampire lord as he dabbed his neck gently with the collar of his shirt. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Something of a lie, but he didn't exactly want his captor to hate him.
"No," Setsuya breathed, eyes unfocused and staring blankly at the floor. He hunched over, bringing a shaky hand to his throbbing head. "You did exactly what you should have done. That was out of line. I apologize."
"What? Were you supposed to have asked my permission first?" Zuko teased with a chuckle, scooting closer to the man. The young man put a hand subtly to his heart, just to assure himself that it was still beating.
"It's not something to laugh about," he muttered, eyes shut tightly with inner pain. "I could have killed you. I... I would have too."
Zuko faltered, biting his lower lip anxiously. He hadn't heard Setsuya's voice become so weak and gentle. "It's no big deal. I should have kept my distance, like you said before. It's my fault for being so careless, so don't blame yourself."
The vampire didn't respond, eyes still closed. He was already becoming a danger to the boy... Why couldn't he exercise his self-control like he normally did? He couldn't deny that the blood had been sweeter than any one substance he had ever tasted. Having been denied of it for so long, it was a wonder he hadn't torn the young teenager apart. "I suppose you want to bathe," Setsuya murmured, straightening out his posture though refusing to open his eyes. "Outside in the hallway, door to the left. You'll find everything you need there."
Zuko raised an eyebrow, examining the man closely. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, stroking the vampire's bare arm, tracing the violet veins just barely visible beneath the transparent skin. He was shocked to find that Setsuya was quivering beneath his touch. The teen pulled his hand away quickly, realizing that the man was probably as angry with Zuko as he was with himself. He murmured a soft apology before leaping up and darting out of the room, trying to ignore the guilty feeling whirling in his stomach. Shutting the door as quietly as he could, he felt a bit unnerved by the ever-darkening hallway, lit by a contained candle perhaps every ten feet or so.
Sure enough, there was a dull metal door to his left, which he approached carefully, slinking across the bland earth-compacted walls. Gripping the handle, he gave it a hesitant turn and peered into the room, finding that a bath did sound rather appealing. Perhaps it would give him time to clear his muddled mind. Zuko smiled, stepping into the humid room with a relieved sigh, as this area was a bit more well-lit than the rest of the underground corridors he had seen. A single deep pool of crystal-clear water steamed in the center of the room, various soaps lining the edge of the spring. After giving the small room a last look around to ensure his privacy, he tentatively began to remove his clothing, tossing aside the cloak Setsuya had lent him.
After ridding himself of his garments, he winced as the damp dirt of the underground floor met his bare feet. He shuddered, suddenly missing the sensation of grass terribly. He slipped over to the spring before sliding in leisurely, moaning as the warmth of the blazing water washed over him. Zuko submerged himself beneath the water for a while, treasuring warmth he didn't have to generate himself. If it felt this good to him, it must have been incredible to a frosty vampire. Snagging one of the vials next to the bath, he flipped open the lid and sniffed it cautiously. His nose wrinkled. "Strawberry."
Ah, well. Beggars can't be choosers. Speaking of which... Zuko lathered the soapy gel in his hands, thoughts returning back to his 'caretaker'. Despite his attempts, he had received no pertinent information as to why he was being held captive. Or so he thought. Perhaps the greatest clue had been Setsuya's slip-up, lapping up all of the blood he could from his neck. Although the idea of serving as dinner wasn't exactly appealing to the teen, he was surprised to find that he hadn't minded the contact in the least. In fact, he had grown quite fond of it after a while. His finger traced the shallow wound lining his throat gently, suddenly longing for the vampire's touch once more.
Damn it! Pull yourself together, he scolded himself, trying to scrub off the desire with strawberry soap. They're keeping you hostage here, and you need to find out why. But he found his demanding curiosity only begging to learn more about his environment and the creatures he was dealing with. Or rather, that were dealing with him. He glimpsed a stack of clothes on the opposing side of the bath with a raised eyebrow. It wasn't as though they weren't taking good care of him after all.
xXxBloodlustxXx
Lord Setsuya, I don't know what to say," Akane whispered into the pitch-black darkness of the room. "You've always had such a high level of self-control. There is no explanation for why you desire the boy so strongly." She nervously thumbed the hem of her skirt. It was the first time her master had been so open with her, and so wasn't entirely sure how to respond. "However, to be able to taste his blood and not devour him on the spot is a complete contradiction."
"I don't understand," his silky voice murmured, lacking in its usual authority. "He is here for my purposes, but I can't help but treat him as though I care for him. It's as though we've met before." Setsuya's eyes softened.
"Have you considered the fact that he might be..." Her voice trailed off, knowing that Setsuya would be able to interpret the silence.
Instead of snapping at her like she thought he might, the vampire stated, "I have not. There is not a chance in the world."
"It fits the criteria, does it not, Master?" Akane prodded gently. "I'm certainly not as informed as most, yet-"
"It is far too early to make such presumptions. We will discuss it at a more appropriate time. Light the candle for me, would you? You're dismissed."
Punctuating his sentence was a soft knock at the door, and Zuko's soft voice echoing through the door. "Setsuya? May I come in?" Akane lit the lone candle before bowing to the vampire lord and crossing the room to open the door for the young teenager. Zuko smiled at Akane warmly as she passed by him. The woman looked a bit surprised at the gesture, though made her best attempt to return it. Zuko turned back to Setsuya as she shut the door behind her, moving deliberately towards the man.
"Would you tell me more about the contract between the Kyuuketsuki and those above earth?" Zuko asked shyly, unnerved by the man's skeptical gaze.
"It is a rather long story. It dates back to the beginning of the vampire civilization. Are you truly interested?" Setsuya lifted up a tender hand and stroked the teen's cheek with fondness, pleased by the shiver that ran down the boy's neck.
"Yes," Zuko responded, following the man as he made a move to sit on the couch. He was careful to sit on the opposite side of the sofa to preserve Setsuya's comfort.
His violet eyes fluttered shut, as though trying to remember something significant. "A thousand years ago or so, there was a man of the Fire Nation who dedicated his life to the study of philosophy and spiritual beings. He spent his lifetime learning all that he could, indulging his vast intelligence and channeling it through divine studies. I believe his ultimate purpose was to try and discover the components of a soul, and where the soul passed after a person lost their life. The man finally believed that he had discovered that which makes humans whole. However, he died at a devastatingly young age in an accident, leaving his male lover alone and heartbroken on earth. Devastated, the man hung onto his life by its very thread for so long, he is said to have lingered between our world and the Spirit World for a time. The bond between the man and his lover was apparently so strong, that he still had a connection to the materialistic world even three days into death. The man compiled his knowledge and used every ounce of willpower he had to pull his spirit back from the Holy Realm and thrust it into his deceased body.
"When he awoke, he maintained his body, mind, and emotions but his heart did not beat. His only defining features were pale skin, slightly sharpened incisors, and unnatural beauty. He was hardly different from any other human, yet was treated like a monster by all but his mate. After all, he had seemingly risen from the dead, a grave and deviant sin. However, the more time he spent with his mate, the more insatiable his lust had become, not only for their intimacy but for something more. He began to distinguish the scents of an individual's blood, and could not help but crave his lover's. However, he did not understand what his desires meant, or what they were for. One night during their love-making, he lost all control and ravished his counterpart against his will, sexually assaulting him again and again without faltering, despite how often his lover wept and pleaded for mercy. There was much blood spilt that night, tainting the sheets with sin, the very sheets they had offered their innocence to each other in. After raping his esteemed lover continuously, he drank of his mate's blood until there was no more. Through this quenching, he was awakened to his senses and horrified by what he had done.
"No one is certain of what happened to his research, but we are almost certain he destroyed it. He attempted numerous times to slay himself, but it was all in vain. And so, he dwelt underground in the naturally formed tunnels of the volcanic lava in an attempt to protect humanity from his... defection. However, once and a while his instincts forced him to drink of the required sustenance. After years and years of longing for death, he only wished that he no longer had to be alone. He kidnapped a young man and kept him around for fulfilling company, treating him... cruelly. Striking him, and raping him for satisfaction as he had his previous lover. Eventually, his nature absorbed him once more, demanding that he drink of the human. As he lapped the blood from the human's dying body, willing him not to die at any cost, for he had fallen in love with him. Using his spiritual aura, he inadvertently bound the man to his body, henceforth creating the second vampire.
"That is how a vampire is created. It is the earthly bonds and our spiritual will that unite us to the world for eternity. As our population grew, we adapted to our lifestyle. We developed jagged teeth and various supernatural abilities that were not granted by the Spirit World, but by the sprites of Hell. However, we could not continue to grow as we were or humanity would cease to exist and be thrown into imbalance. The Avatars of the past set forth on us a curse, a weakness if you will. We could be murdered in only one way: by the excessive use of fire to burn our bodies to ash and unite us with the Earth's soil once more.
"And so, both civilizations posed a threat to each other. There is an unwritten contract that was conducted by the leader before me that consisted of guidelines for both the citizens of the Fire Nation and our underground population. The Fire Nation would ensure that future generations considered vampires a respected urban legend, while we would reside underneath the soil and strictly feed from the blood of animals. This contract allows us to live in mutual peace with those of the Fire Nation government, although not necessarily contently."
Silence drenched the room painfully, as Setsuya's voice faded. A single violet eye fluttered open as he felt overwhelming warmth encompassed him. The boy was… embracing him. Unsure of what to do, the man laid passively back while the teenager buried his head into the vampire's frosty neck. "Setsuya?" The voice drifted out in a cracked whisper. "If you are the eldest vampire here, and the second leader of the population... Are you the one he fell in love with? Were you the second vampire?"
The vampire lord jerked his head, staring at the teenager in shock. No one had ever made the connection so quickly. And yet, this human had easily done so.
"But then... What happened to the first?" Zuko whispered, straddling the man carefully. He raised his head to look Setsuya in the eye, shocked to find a single tear dripping down the man's cheek.
"This is why vampires cannot have human lovers," Setsuya whispered, caressing the teen's sides with his hands. "It only leads to heartbreak." Zuko was pained to hear the man's voice so broken and frightened. He tenderly stroked the vampire's face, wishing to rid him of the pain he had no doubt felt for a hundred and three years. Before he could say a single word, the man brought a chilling hand to his neck and engaged him in a fierce kiss.
From that moment on, Zuko understood where he was needed.