Bloodlust

by OnexLostxSoul

In order to keep the vampire civlization at bay, Ozai hands over one thing he won't miss: His own son. However, a strange relationship develops when the enchanting Lord Setsuya entraps Zuko in his circle of twisted pleasure and seduction. Explicit Yaoi.

8. To Sketch

Setsuya's breath came in quick, uneven gasps as he woke from his slumber, throat parched and constricted with thirst. His body trembled in the arms of Master, who held the teenager steadfastly to his chest. The vampire's whispers of comfort and encouragement were overlooked as the body in his grasp underwent a torturous spasm following his transition. Sweat matted the teenager's brow as he groaned with pain and whispered incoherent words that sounded like a desperate plea for help. Master watched with mounting concern as the cold, quivering body began to calm and those beautiful violet eyes opened in a daze. "Setsuya?" Master asked softly, stroking the boy's cheek with caution. After almost four days of believing the boy was dead, his heart was overjoyed and, at the same time, terribly fearful at the possibility of what was happening to his forced lover. He placed his two foremost fingers at the pale boy's neck to assure himself that no pulse was present.

"Ma-Master," a coarse voice choked out, frightened and strained. The man sighed with relief as Setsuya's breath steadied, although the flow of air was forced, as the teen's body no longer sought the surrounding oxygen. The frantic eyes flickered rapidly until they settled on a familiar face. Forcing his tensed, bloodless muscles to do his bidding, Setsuya wrapped his arms around his keeper's neck and sobbed into his chest, unable to understand what had transpired. "I-It hurts," he whispered, referring to the throbbing bloodlust pulsing through his body, although there was no way he could have identified the feeling.

Master let out a hiss of understanding, holding the boy's head close to his chest. "It will be much better after your first feeding," he assured the boy, his mind banishing the painful thoughts of his own. He held the teenager's jaw gently, inclining his head in order to observe his incisors, which had evolved into a retractable pair unlike his own. Setsuya let out another moan of pain, hands clutching desperately to the man that held him. "There is no use in waiting," Master murmured, more to himself. After all, the boy's need for blood seemed far more desperate than his own when he'd first awoken; undoubtedly another note for his journal.

He lifted the teenager up, whispering to him soothingly as he laid him down on the bed. "I will take care of you," he promised, wiping away the sweat from the other's forehead and neck with his sleeve. Setsuya turned onto his side and his arms curled around his midsection, groaning as though ready to heave. Master reluctantly parted with the boy, offering him a single kiss on the forehead. His expedition must be swift if Setsuya was to retain his wavering sanity. He dashed towards the western surface entrance, which lay beneath the very outskirts of an impoverished coastal city. Emotions of guilt long suppressed, he picked out a young plain-faced woman with passionless eyes, whose unattended arm led him to believe that no one would miss her should she disappear. His intuition was often well informed, for out of the many humans he had killed during his time on earth, Setsuya was the first one with earthly bonds strong enough to become a vampire. Of course he'd like to think that it was his bond with Setsuya that had revived him, but he couldn't be sure. He slunk into the shadows of the alleys with no trouble, as the slums were no stranger to shady, cloaked men. His acute eyes darted back and forth in a clock's rhythm until the timing was right...

There was no struggle. A quick blow to the head was all it took to send the female to her knees, letting out a sigh as she fell into unconsciousness. Master did so only after snatching her into the shadows, although he wasn't entirely sure if anyone would have stopped him otherwise. The crimes of abuse, rape, and murder were everyday occurrences after all. Upon returning to Setsuya, he found the boy sitting silently on the ground, a shaky hand clutched at his mouth. Master laid his offering beside the door, watching Setsuya's eyes widen and his nostrils flare. The elder vampire strode across the room and kneeled down next to the stricken youth, taking the boy's face in his hands. "It's alright. You've seen me do it before. Let your instincts take over."

Setsuya made no confirmation that he had heard his keeper, his eyes fixated on the human sprawled out on the floor before them. Letting out a shaky gasp, the youngest vampire suddenly shook his head and clutched at his sweat-matted hair. "Please," he finally whispered, his voice coarse and filled with longing. "Please don't make me." Master gave a start as the teenager jerked away from him. "I- I don't want to kill anyone," he begged, shaking his head violently although desire pulsed through every dry vein of his body.

Master sighed, stroking the boy's hair as he considered the matter. Finally he spoke, "I already killed her for you, Setsuya. Just slice her throat." He was lying and Setsuya knew it, for he could feel the girl's steady heartbeat from across the room. However, mind clouded with unbearable hunger, he protested no more as he rose to stagger over to the lifeless body with very little dignity and bare his teeth when faced with the innocent sacrifice.

And his bloodlust was quenched.

xXxBloodlustxXx

You've only just returned from your hunt, contentedly running a tongue across your teeth where the aftertaste of a grizzly-tiger's blood lingers from your last meal. You can feel the fluid warming your body, empowering it. This euphoric, artificial pulse is the closest you will ever feel to being alive. Stretching your taut muscles as your tissues voraciously soak in this luxury, you wave goodbye to the rest of your small hunting party and are set on returning to your room to enjoy your elation in solitude. That is, until you see him...

He's leaning against the wall down the corridor, his gaze locked with yours. You know who he is, for you've heard rumors upon rumors of his nature from the rest of the population. Although you've never seen him before, you recognize him right away from his aura, his posture, and his undeniable beauty even among the standards of vampires. He inclines his head in amusement as you stare at him, mouth agape and anxiety accumulating in your chest. You aren't sure why, but his presence is unnerving to a degree. Perhaps it's his experience and suave manner, or his passionate gaze boring into yours. His eyes are filled with a dignified lust that seems only withheld by the thin membrane of self-control practiced over the years. He steps forward, offering his hand to you with an expressionless face.

You've been chosen. Normally you wouldn't consent to casual intimacy, but this time it's different. The chosen ones have a goal, an obligation: They desire to stand out, to be the one he acknowledges as unique. No one has yet achieved this, not even those he has invited to his chambers more than once. Although it's obvious in his demeanor that he means nothing by his offer other than a mutually benefiting opportunity, you can't help but wonder if you could be the one who proves himself worthy. You take his hand without hesitation, allowing yourself to be guided to his room, all the while surveying his beautiful body and wondering what to expect from your first time with him. Locking the door behind you, he wordlessly admires your figure as though contemplating a serious decision. It seems that all affectionate foreplay has been dismissed, for he sheds his outer robes and lies back on the bed in the corner, motioning to his body invitingly. It seems you've been deemed worthy to dominate him.

Feeling a certain pride, you take a deep breath and slither atop his loosely conducted form, slightly relieved from the small smile he blesses you with. Unsure of how to proceed, you return a nervous smile and your hands begin to work on his tunic while your eyes are being ravaged by his. You lean down to give an experimental kiss on his neck, but he shivers and pushes you away. "Keep it casual," he kindly corrects you, closing his eyes for a moment. He breathes in, counts to five, and breathes out. When he opens his eyes, the dam has broken. Raw lust inhabits him and he lifts his hips to graze his hardening passion against your leg, causing you to bite back a deep moan. "I like it fast and rough," he growls in your ear, somehow managing to remove your shirt without you noticing. You reason that he must have had enough practice by now.

You proceed in removing the rest of his clothing rapidly, tossing the articles to the floor before unlacing your own boots to allow your garments to flow from your body courtesy of his expert hands. You are nervous when his eyes glide swiftly down your body, but let out a sigh of relief when his breathing deepens and he spreads his legs in a wanton manner. By the look in his eyes, you know that there isn't much time until he becomes impatient with you. However, you can't help but admire his gorgeous body begging for your touch. Your hand travels down to his stomach, where your finger deftly traces a crescent scar that cuts across his naval. Even in the lustful, shameless manner with which he conducts himself, there is a certain retained dignity that makes you feel somewhat inferior. It's almost impossible how lax he can be with his sexuality, yet still have such high standards for his many lovers. As though he would take anyone to his bed, but at the same time he would accept only few. You're confused by this, but altogether you decide you're thinking too much.

He asks for it fast and rough, and that's exactly what you give him. You watch the pleasure pass over his face in glorious waves, the pain he ought to be feeling receded by his overstretched muscles. Every move you make is geared towards his physical pleasure, in the hopes that you can make him feel something that he hasn't before. The way he moves his body against yours immerses you in pure bliss, causing you to emit a number of noises you hadn't thought possible. You find yourself pleading and moaning, even though you're the one calling the shots. You notice that his passion-filled eyes have fluttered shut, for which you are very grateful. You're honestly not sure if you could've handled another moment of staring into his eyes. You know that he's probably imagining someone else, but you can forgive that. It's not as though he's made a commitment to you, and you are both participating merely for the pleasures.

Your movement becomes labored as you edge towards your climax. However, the man beneath you has yet to be satisfied even as your hand pleasures his most sensitive surfaces. Redoubling your efforts, you plunge even deeper into his body, causing him to shudder and hiss with desire. You clench your teeth as your own reckless actions lead you even closer to the brink. Refusing to submit until your partner has reached completion, you lean forward and capture his mouth in a forbidden kiss, causing him to moan deeply and reach his orgasm in powerful waves. Shocked by the success of your plan, you sigh and allow yourself the luxury of releasing your seed into his artificially warmed body.

As you lie beside him, he is quiet for the longest of times. You aren't really sure what to say, or if you really should say anything at all. His eyes finally open only to stare at the ceiling, adding to the pressure of the silence. Despite your discomfort with the situation, you wonder if perhaps you have showed him what he had desired all along. After what seems like hours, you wrap a gentle arm around him and move in to kiss him again. However, you are pushed away and he throws the blankets from his bare form. You can see it now: The self-hatred and guilt arising from the depth of his heart to haunt him. It is then when you realize that you haven't fulfilled his desires, only mocked them.

"Get dressed," he snaps suddenly, as he clothes himself with his back turned towards you. He is cold to you now, and you understand that he is justified in it. You violated the conditions of your silent contract by showing him affection, affection meant to be shown between two true lovers; not by a whore and his next victim.

xXxBloodlustxXx

Setsuya sat cross-legged on his soul mate's bed for at least five hours, refusing to see anyone who asked for him. Clasping his hands in his lap with his eyes closed, he reflected on what had transpired in the last twenty-four hours in great detail. It had been a long time since he had meditated, and even this weak level of contemplation was difficult for him. The last time he had spiritually meditated, it had been an emotionally wrecking experience that he did not wish to repeat. Even so, he sat in complete silence until he could come up with a mental diagram that couldn't have been clearer if he'd drawn a blueprint and had it confirmed by a six-year-old.

Zuko was angry and hurt at the thought of being manipulated by someone he was still learning to trust.

Setsuya had attempted to manipulate his mate, superficially believing he was protecting Zuko from harm, when in reality he was fearful of Ryuichi's grasp on the boy.

Setsuya was fearful of this grasp because Ryuichi could gain power over Zuko and persuade him to think in a manner that could turn him against Setsuya.

This concept was amplified by his jealousy of Zuko's intrigue with the scarlet-eyed vampire, who seemed equally intrigued by the teenager.

His jealousy emerged from the fact that Ryuichi was merely touching the boy, which wasn't fair because that was inferring that Zuko was his property.

Ryuichi was only enjoying the first genuine, nonsexual relationship he had formed for a long time, and it wasn't Setsuya's place to interfere in such an innocent affair.

Rather than making Zuko feel as though he were a possession, Setsuya ought to have approached the situation by being completely straightforward with the reasoning behind his fears of Ryuichi.

Zuko in turn had angered him by inferring that he was the cause of his own fears, which in itself was completely true yet difficult to deal with.

Setsuya was a complete jackass for hitting the other. End of discussion.

After his revelation was complete, Setsuya opened his eyes only to find that he felt like the cruelest creature to have ever walked the face of the planet. He could still recall from his psychology class during his human lifetime that making a person less-than-worthy was the best way to incur their lasting resentment, despite further attempts to repair the relationship. He only remembered this fact because he had proved it correct on many levels by enforcing it on Ryuichi and Zuko, and having been the object of its enforcement by his former master and even Kuzon. Relationships are complicated, he concluded, rolling his eyes at his own naivety. Over a hundred and twenty years, and that was still the best he could come up with.

Well, at least the first step to earning forgiveness was evident- find Zuko, apologize from the bottom of his heart, and duck from oncoming punches. He winced at the thought, his hand creeping back to his chest where Zuko had justifiably struck him. Setsuya couldn't deny that he was surprised by the power his young mate possessed, not to mention his temper. Kuzon had been more prominently hotheaded, but he had never struck Setsuya during their time together. Setsuya attributed it to the fact that he was so effeminate in appearance in comparison to Kuzon, that it would have seemed altogether quite unacceptable. 'Domestic abuse', he believed it to be called by the human populace. The vampire lord shrugged on his cloak and shook his head, cursing himself for bringing an easy-going, amiable boy as Zuko to such lengths.

He had hardly passed through the doorframe when Akane appeared by his side, still dressed in her wedding garments and hair let loose. The lack of noise and music had already died down, informing him that the festivities had long passed. Twisting her hands together habitually, Akane bowed and spoke, "Lord Setsuya! Is everything alright? I saw Zuko run out of the room a few hours ago and I-"

"Hours?" Setsuya let out an unsteady breath, trying not to panic. His nose twitched and dread filled him when he realized that Zuko's scent was out of his range. "Akane, where did he go?" he pressed her urgently, grabbing onto her forearms. "Did you see which way he went?" He could be anywhere by now.

"He went toward Ryuichi's room," she confessed reluctantly, her features tinged with guilt. "I know I should have followed him, but he looked so upset that I decided to let him be." Setsuya winced at this remark. "I'm sorry, Master, I-"

"Never mind," he interrupted sharply, softening his gaze when he saw the girl flinch. "It's alright. Tell Hayate to take over my office for a while, would you? After that, you have my permission to hunt with Rohan. It's your wedding day, Akane. Enjoy yourself." He brushed her hair behind her ear as she gave him a weak smile, before quickening his stride towards Ryuichi's chambers. An instinctively protective feeling lingered in the pit of his stomach, tainting his rational thought. He could only shelter Zuko to a certain extent, and the distance between them stressed this extent. No matter how fearful a vampire was of Setsuya, an untouched young man of two divine bloodlines was too tempting to resist. The vampire lord had been forced only once or twice to use his abilities to their fullest capacity to intimidate another and, being a natural experimenter and the eldest vampire of the populace, his vampiric enhancements far surpassed that of any other native or outsider. Approaching Ryuichi's door, Setsuya clenched his teeth and made a vow that any person who put his soul mate in harm's way would experience those powers unleashed.

xXxBloodlustxXx

Ryuichi lay contemplatively on his bed, hair messy and appearance disheveled courtesy of his ruffled clothing and breathless comportment. His head ached to such an extent, he was tempted to find a mortal drugged up on painkillers to feed from. Unfortunately, his better judgment prevailed. The pale-skinned vampire, while youthful in appearance, wished that he still possessed the innocence that was ripped from him by his new life. His latest fling's mishap had taken a heavy toll on his mental wellbeing. Laying there on that comfortable bedding tainted with sin, he suddenly longed for the presence of his human companion. He had almost forgotten what a friendship was like… It was nice wasn't it? Yes.

An impatient knock at his door startled him, as he hadn't been paying much attention to anything. Rising, he bowed his head whilst wiping away the tears that stained his face, and crossed the room to open the door, not bothering to tidy himself up. He knew what his guest desired of him, and Ryuichi rightfully deserved the tension of this confrontation. The young vampire stepped back as Setsuya entered the room, nose wrinkling at the bitter smell of transgression and sweat tracing its way down the back of the younger's neck. "My Lord." Ryuichi bowed, pondering when his master had last eaten. His face was considerably worn, and his eyes were dark from lack of nourishment.

"Where is he?" the man asked quietly, smoothing his robes in a dignified manner, which made the younger's anger flare.

"What right do you have?" His words were as cold as ice, startling the older vampire. Ryuichi had always treated Setsuya with a vast amount of respect, for obligatory reasons or otherwise. Now, however, his scarlet eyes burned with unrivaled passion that far outstretched any anger his young comrade had ever directed toward him before. "What right do you have to know where he is? It doesn't matter where he is, as long as he's away from you!" the vampire spat, bringing himself to his full height, which considerably rivaled Setsuya's. The man stepped forward and raised his hand, while Ryuichi braced himself for a painfully unpleasant blow.

The younger vampire was shocked to find the hand caressing his cheek, even more so to witness Setsuya's sorrowful gaze. "You're right," the man whispered, his other hand rising to rest on Ryuichi's side. "Only a monster harms an innocent companion." The way I'm hurting Zuko, the way I hurt you. Ryuichi's eyes fluttered shut as he unconsciously clasped the hand cupping his face with a soft moan, unable to think properly as Setsuya touched him for the first time in a very long while. It was incredible to feel affection, true affection, everything that he'd ever wanted except-

Love. He didn't need the sex or the physical contact. No, those were short-term solutions to his misery. He needed this, but on a deeper level. Ryuichi unconsciously stepped into the embrace, wondering if Setsuya's lips still tasted like bittersweet wine. "I'm sorry, my Ryu," Setsuya whispered in his ear, making the other melt in his arms. "I was the one who wronged you. Zuko was right… I was mistaken to allow this tension between us to go on for so long. You mean so much to me, and I don't want you to have to suffer the way I did."

The embrace became tighter, and Ryuichi barely suppressed his tears as Setsuya's chilling hold seemed to immerse his body in an icy fire. Could he only be saying this to get me to talk? No… Setsuya wasn't like that. This was genuine. For so many years the scarlet-eyed man had attempted to eradicate their connection by indulging in pleasurable excursions that only scorned his needs. What he hadn't counted on was the permanent emotional and spiritual connection between a vampire and his maker; a relationship out of obligation, protection, and the sharing of secrets only known amongst the undead. Their bond was strained, but it was always there. Ryuichi's arms wrapped tightly around the body of the older man, unbelieving of how much he'd missed this. How long had it been since he'd hugged Setsuya? Fifty years? Sixty?

Setsuya made a move to pull away, only to have the younger man drag him fiercely back into his hold. "Please don't stop," came an admittedly pathetic whisper. The vampire lord sighed in partial relief, watching Ryuichi's eyes reflect the innocent, vulnerable youth that he once was. His hand stroked the other man's hair and allowed the younger's head to rest on his shoulder. No, Ryuichi suddenly realized. His eyes shot wide open and he pulled away from the vampire. He isn't mine to have. We are friends, companions at most. He is Zuko's to love. "He asked me to take him above ground," Ryuichi finally whispered, his arms wrapped around his own waist. "I wasn't going to leave him, but he begged me and I- I gave in. I lent him my sword and made him promise to hand-deliver it to me to affirm his return. It was the entrance adjacent to the cliff-side shore. There aren't any docks there, and he couldn't have gotten too far."

If Setsuya was still human, his face would have paled at this revelation. "Above ground?" he asked slowly, his chest tightening with fear. "You let him go above ground?" Ryuichi bit his lip nervously, waiting for the other to eliminate all previous implications of a restored companionship. While he did no such thing, Setsuya still took the other by the forearms and spoke quickly and with much fear. "Ryuichi, you don't understand what you've done. I'm not afraid of Zuko running off, I'm afraid of what will happen to him if he gets caught. If Zuko is found and taken back to his father, Ozai will kill him," he finished in a guilty whisper, his unbeating heart twisting in his chest.

"Wh-What?!" Ryuichi cried, leaping back with a look of terror on his face. Realization slowly tapped him on the shoulder, as he whispered, "Zuko doesn't know, does he? Oh, how could I have-" He raised a hand to his mouth and shut his eyes, shaking his head. "We have to find him."

Setsuya was already at the door, his young comrade close on his heels. "You check the north side, I'll check the coastline," he instructed, nearing a sprint as they approached the corridor's exit. "It's daybreak isn't it?" He muffled a curse at Ryuichi's affirmation, his mind racing faster than he could keep up with it. "Remember to keep your hood up to cover your eyes. Speak to no mortal you meet. I'll send for you if I find him."

"What makes you think he'll be on the shore?" Ryuichi called, guilt sending a bitter, bile-like taste up his throat. How could I have let him go? He could be trying to get home! He could be dead!

"A well-informed hunch."

xXxBloodlustxXx

Zuko ran the sand through his fingers methodically, finding a certain comfort in the finely grained terrain. Then again, it was just one more thing slipping out of his grasp. He laid out on the deserted beach with a sigh, rolling over onto his side and running a finger over Ryuichi's sheathed blade that lay beside him. It was the only article preventing his loss of rational thought at the moment. When he'd first stepped into the open air unaccompanied, he'd been sorely tempted to run to the heart of the mainland and never look back. However, his promise to Ryuichi alongside the fact that he had no idea where he was kept him from doing so. His anger had since diminished, but confusion had only taken its place. The dawn was just barely tingeing the sky a light red, and the rhythmic waves of the ocean calmed him. The teenager had always loved the ocean. It had a volatile nature, not unlike himself.

The past few hours had given him sufficient time to ponder exactly what he thought he was doing, living underground with a vampire who was introducing him to a bond so deep that it challenged him to expose himself in ways he'd never thought possible. Here he was, free to search for a way home with no qualms, yet unable to do so. If he could still be called a hostage, he was holding the key himself. "What have you done to me?" Zuko asked the absent vampire, relaxing into the form-fitting sand. Soul mates. The words ran through the teenager's mind like a beautiful, poisonous hymn. Was he ready to bind himself to this man, this vampire? What would happen after the bonding process was complete? Did Setsuya expect him to stay with him beneath the ground? Would Zuko be able to live amongst his own people ever again? "What am I doing?!" he exclaimed rather loudly, running a hand through his ruffled hair. Unfortunately, the ocean did not care to answer him. He sighed when only silence met his ears, causing him to snatch up a smooth stone buried in the sand and toss it into the cerulean waters.

"I've fallen head-over-heels for that stupid vampire."

"And to which stupid vampire are we referring?"

Zuko jumped and jerked his head back at the sound of a soothing voice, to see Setsuya kneeling behind him, looking visibly relieved to see the younger man. Feeling a dash of 'I'm-supposed-to-be-mad-at-you" aftertaste, the teenager whipped around and reclined into the warming sand with his arms crossed at his chest. "I wish you wouldn't sneak up on me," he informed the vampire coldly, focusing on the melodic pattern of the waves. Fear instilled itself in his heart, still unsure as to how Setsuya would react to his disobedience. There was so much he didn't understand about this man, so much luring mystery that made his heart pound and his mind race-

"I hadn't meant to sneak up on you. If fact, I made quite a bit of noise with the intent of warning you." Setsuya's voice sounded amused yet slightly nervous as well, as if he said the wrong thing the world could very well stop turning. Zuko refused to look back at the man, even though his heart begged him to acknowledge that soft, contrite voice. A few moments passed when Zuko was just about willing to surrender when the vampire stole the words right out from under him:

"Zuko, I'm sorry." Two gentle arms wrapped around the younger man's body, causing him to smile as much as his sullen mood would allow. The vampire's legs entrapped the boy and his lips rested on the human's ear as he spoke. "I made a terrible mistake trying to control you the way I did. Please understand that I was only trying to protect you. My mind was clouded with jealousy and fear out of Ryuichi's influence over you." Setsuya's voice became doused with guilt. "I shouldn't have treated you as my inferior, but I'm used to people following my orders without question; I'm used to people trusting me. Putting myself in your shoes made me realize that the circumstances under which we met would damper my ability to earn your trust so easily. I promise, from now on I'm going to be a lot more straightforward with you. I'll tell you everything you want to know about me, no matter how uncomfortable it is for me to remember." He kissed the teenager's neck, surprised by his rapid heartbeat. "All I ask is that you remain with me until the bonding process is complete. You are not my servant, nor my experiment. You are someone I've grown to care for deeply, and I've no right to enchain you to my side and control every aspect of your life."

Zuko raised his head, having heard enough to understand that his soul mate was sincere. He turned around, embraced the older man around the shoulders, and pressed a kiss against the man's lips. "Thank you, Setsuya. I know I overreacted, but I'm just a bit nervous about this whole situation. I'm undeniably attracted to you and I don't doubt the truth to your theory, but Spirits help me, I hardly know you! When you pull the reigns tighter, it only makes me panic. I want to trust you, I really do, but I need you to start trusting me." He cupped Setsuya's face and whispered into his ear, "You can start by trusting me to watch out for my own wellbeing."

"You know about Ryuichi, then?" Setsuya pulled back, looking rather startled as he examined his soul mate's eyes for a reaction. "About his… excursions?" He averted his eyes at Zuko's affirming nod, whispering just loud enough to be heard over the ocean's waves, "It's my fault he's like that, you know. It's my fault he's been degraded to such conditions. I-"

Zuko shook his head, running his fingers through the man's raven hair. "Another time." With these words he pushed Setsuya back into the sand and laid his head on the other's chest, content against the comforting frigidity of the man's body. After a few moments, the vampire began to shake slightly. When Zuko looked up to ask him what was wrong, he was shocked to see his soul mate was laughing silently. "Setsuya?"

The pale man smiled, his eyes fluttering shut as the sun's warmth peeked over the horizon. Wrapping his arms around the younger's body, he murmured, "It's nothing. I just- this position is awfully familiar to me." Setsuya sighed with nostalgia, while Zuko grew exceedingly jealous at the thought of anyone else lying atop Setsuya on the sandy shore. The vampire began to laugh even harder sensing his mate's envy and stood, pulling the teenager up against him. "Come," he whispered, violet eyes bright with excitement. "I'd like to show you something, Beloved." Amongst forgiven words and unspoken promises, Zuko nodded his head and allowed himself to be led by the hand.

xXxBloodlustxXx

"Kuzon, you know I'm not very fond of surprises," Setsuya said, his voice barely audible to one who was unused to it. The violet-eyed teenager strained to see what was beyond the blindfold wrapped around his eyes. With a playfully exasperated sigh, he allowed himself to be led by hand throughout the city with sore feet, for they'd been walking for nearly three quarters of an hour. His lover only tightened his grip on the other's hand, while the younger could imagine the man silently snickering with victory. Finally they ceased their seemingly endless walk, while Setsuya's heart skipped a beat with excitement. For a moment, Kuzon released his counterpart's hand only to walk behind the blindfolded man and place his hands on his shoulders.

"Alright, Setsuya," Kuzon whispered in his ear, causing his loved one to shiver with anticipation. "Take off your shoes." He complied, freeing his bare feet onto the concrete and handing the articles to Kuzon, who could be heard stuffing them into his bag. "Now, take three steps forward." Setsuya nodded, walking forward with his mate in tow. One... Two... Three. The boy gasped, taking a step back and bumping into Kuzon, who only chuckled at his reaction. What met Setsuya's skin was not the usual dirt or pavement, but the malleable texture of finely-grained-

"Sand," Setsuya murmured, his heart overfilling with joy. He quieted for a moment, straining to hear the soft sound of the gentle tide against the shore. "Kuzon, you didn't have to do this. I know how busy y-"

"Hush." A finger to his lips silenced him, as Kuzon kissed his neck tenderly.. "I promise you, this night is going to be perfect."

The sound of the waves grew louder in the younger man's ears, his heartstrings receiving a tug in his chest. "I want to play in the water," Setsuya admitted, his childish desires overcoming him. His body ached to feel the waves against it, and he wished to linger in the ocean's calming scent until it soaked into his very skin.

"Soon enough," Kuzon assured, taking the liberty of seizing his lover's hand once again. "First, I have something I wish to show you. Keep that blindfold on, or you'll ruin the surprise."

The violet-eyed teenager tilted his head in wonder as he was pulled forward into the welcoming sand. The beach wasn't the surprise? Setsuya felt his heart pound with bliss, for his counterpart hadn't done something like this with him for a very long time. Kuzon, being bound to the wishes of his parents to take up extra coursework at home during his winter break, only had a four week recess from the tasteful university he attended, and he'd spent three focusing solely on his work. The winter classes his parents enrolled him in ending up being twice as difficult seeing as how his parents believed they were paying for his education in political science, whereas his registered major was among the visual arts. Henceforth, Kuzon was trying to study an advanced course in which he had little background and even less interest.

"Watch the steps," Kuzon warned, grasping Setsuya's hands in his and leading him up the small cluster of stairs and onto a platform where he ran his soul mate's hand over the protruding number sequence just beside the door to-

"Our beach house!" Setsuya exclaimed his arms finding their way across the other's body. "You rented our house? For how long?!"

"The entire week," Kuzon said smugly, nuzzling his head into the other's neck. "Ah, ah, ah! You can't take of the blindfold yet." He pushed away his counterpart's creeping hands. "I can't have you ruining the surprise!"

"You spoil me," the younger man breathed, joy fluttering throughout his stomach. He was going to have his mate to himself for a whole week! The firebender merely laughed, settling his hands on the other's hips from behind and guided him through the cottage with care. The blindfolded teenager pursed his lips to keep from smiling, knowing very well the pathway to their bedroom even without sight. The first element to invade his senses was the beautiful smell of incense that vaguely resembled the scent of fresh rainwater.

Stopping in the doorframe, Kuzon wrapped his arms lovingly around the man's waist and whispered, "You may take off the blindfold now, Setsuya." The teen sighed with relief, untying the piece of red cloth as quickly as possible. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting very quickly to the light provided by the few dim candles placed strategically around the room. Nevertheless, his eyes grew wide and he let out a wondrous breath when he saw the renovations done to their bedroom. Upon their fluffy black comforter was a stunning spread of beautiful and familiar rose petals with a deep violet tint to them, chosen as Kuzon's self-proclaimed favorite flower for resembling his beloved's unique eyes. Setsuya felt himself blush as he glanced over to the contemporary dresser to see two glasses of red wine already poured for them with a fresh bottle waiting on hand. Perhaps the most stunning modification made to the room was the mural that surrounded the four walls and even the ceiling, that took the young man's breath away. Countless shades of blue and purple: Sapphire, cobalt, turquoise, cerulean, indigo, lilac, violet, and others all fading in and out of each other in graceful swirls within which silvery star-like entities were painted, resembling an ideal twilight sky.

"I snagged a few of my art friends from the studio in town," Kuzon explained, still wrapped tightly around his lover. "It only took us three days to paint, and they were thrilled to do it when they heard it was for you." He kissed his mate's neck, before nibbling at his ear. "Are you pleased?"

Setsuya could barely breathe, unable to fathom the fact that Kuzon had done all of this, just for him. He turned to face his counterpart, hands caressing the man's face. "Let me...." His voice trailed off as he withdrew deep inside of his mind and soul, coaxing himself to become open to his lover. Pressing their foreheads together, he unfastened the bolt on his emotions and allowed them to spill out into a single kiss. He knew he was showing weakness and leaving himself vulnerable, but Kuzon's reaction was well worth it. The older teenager's eyes fluttered shut in aftershock of receiving such a detailed sample of what his soul mate was experiencing. "I can only remember a single time when I've been happier," Setsuya admitted, his voice slightly shaken. "For you to have done this for me-"

"It's less than what you deserve," Kuzon interrupted, hands clutching tightly to his boyfriend's hips. "I know I haven't been a very good partner these past few weeks, nor have I proved myself to be a commendable lover. Please forgive me, Setsuya. I'll try my hardest to make myself worthy of your love."

"It is I who is not worthy of you," Setsuya exclaimed with a glance behind his shoulder. "You treat me so well, Beloved. I don't know what I did to deserve this." Kuzon laughed, pressing a chaste kiss against his lover's lips.

"You became my angel."

xXxBloodlustxXx

"So, you and Kuzon spent your vacations here?" Zuko asked in a daze, seated on the dusty bed. The wooden walls of the beach house were rotted, causing a musky smell to taint the air. The house had long since been abandoned, but never touched as it dwelled on private property. Even past the mold and decomposition, the teenager could still see traces of the beautiful mural that had once wrapped around the room. He supposed that the place once held special memories for his soul mate, but there was only a looming depression hovering over his own aura. His heart pounded suddenly in his throat, sensing Setsuya's complete transformation as he entered the room. The vampire's grace and elegance was ever present, but his alert manner was diminished and the sharp gleam in his eye reflected not in the cool darkness.

"Yes," Setsuya replied quietly, seating himself next to the younger man on the creaking bed. "It holds a lot of memories for me. For us." He nodded pointedly at the teenager, who could only stare at the vampire, amazed by the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia that surrounded this place. "It's where Kuzon and I came to realize we loved each other." Zuko's heart ached somewhat at the word 'love', knowing that both Setsuya and he were still incapable of using that word in regard to each other. He wanted so badly to bring his mate happiness, but the thought of the man's fragile heart and his own still-maturing emotions forced him to bite his tongue. His discomfort did not go unnoticed, as the older wrapped an arm around his mate and kissed him. "You're approaching this in the wrong manner," Setsuya scolded, causing Zuko to incline his head in question. "You're trying too hard to distinguish between Kuzon and Zuko. It is the transcendence of a soul into another body. Even without his memories, you are Kuzon as much as you are yourself. Yet, you are still your own person."

The teenager struggled with the idea for a few moments, before shrugging in surrender. "I was never very good with all of that spiritual drivel," he murmured to himself, watching the peeled paint of the walls in an attempt to return them back to their former glory. He tilted his head back with a sigh, breathing deeply as he concentrated on the sensation of a slender finger tracing its way along his bare arm. Somehow, the touch didn't quite seem as cold as before. "Did you and Kuzon ever argue?" he asked, leaning back into Setsuya's body and stifling a cough resulting from the dust clouding the air. He left a deliberate pause for interpretation of the answer's criteria. Zuko wouldn't force the other to speak of his past if it was too painful for him, despite Setsuya's promise. To his surprise, the vampire let out a gentle laugh that seemed to echo despondently against the hollowing oak of the house.

"Of course we did. In fact, we ended up fighting more often than not." Setsuya made no move to hide his amused grin at the teen's wondrous gaze.

"You must be exaggerating," the boy insisted, tilting his head back so that he could lock gazes with the vampire. "Surely your deep connection with him prevented disputes such as the one we had?"

Setsuya's eyes shifted about the room, lost in his memoires, before returning the other's skeptical gaze with a smile that made Zuko's heart twist in melancholy. "It was silly," Setsuya admitted, bringing his soul mate's head to rest against his chest, his voice so soft that the younger strained to hear it over the sound of the waves and the cool wind that crept through the worn crevices of the house. "We may have been an ideal match, but we were completely different people. Just because we felt a deep connection with each other didn't mean that we readily accepted each other's views as plausible. No…" He repeated the word once more, tracing his lips as though trying to understand how his mouth formed his speech. "No, we fought. They could have been workable disagreements was it not for the way we approached them."

Silence drifted on until Zuko finally had the courage to speak, "What do you mean?" He bit his lip in a curious manner, as the hand that had struck him hours before stroked him with gentle care.

"Kuzon was a rather forward man. His life revolved around logic and honesty. If something or someone was bothering him, he had no trouble approaching a person, particularly me, and informing me exactly what I had done to irritate him and how I could fix the problem." He chuckled. "Needless to say, I didn't take it very well. 'You're not drinking enough water Setsuya, you must drink more water.' 'You shouldn't be so modest on these university application forms.' 'It wouldn't kill you to let me copy off your homework just one more time.' 'Damn it Setsuya, stop your philosophical garbage and just answer the question!' It was his way of showing me that he cared about me, but I found him crude and meddlesome. Myself on the other hand? I couldn't be forward about my troubles if my very life depended on it. When I w-… When I am troubled by something, I don't rely on another person to fix it. I retreat into the corridors of my mind and find a solution myself, as I was taught that a period of detachment would bring me my answers.

"Unfortunately, I often mistook detachment for disregard and isolation." Sensing Zuko's confusion, he explained in a patient voice, "I didn't understand that I could interact with the world without being a part of it, a part of its socialization and shadows of reality. When I was upset or frustrated, I sat in the corner of my room, closed my eyes, and pretended that nothing else existed. I often awoke from these incomplete meditations in a worse off position than when I'd started. I ignored Kuzon's pleas, insisting that I tell him what was wrong, for we read each other as well as you and I now, even as two mortals not quite in touch with our deeper spirits. I would sit for hours staring out of an open window or forcing my eyes to trace floor patterns of my family's manor in meditation. This bothered Kuzon for reasons I can't really describe. He seemed to view my silence as a form of… distrust; that perhaps I thought that I couldn't bring my troubles to him. He was angry, I was frustrated, and it took a long time for us to find an appropriate balance. Do you see the parallel?"

Surprised by the sudden question, Zuko gave a small start before whispering, "Yes. It's no different from now. I said some very blatant, accusatory things. I should have had more respect for your privacy and been gentler with my words. Yet," he added, giving the man a rather pointed look. "You ought to have been honest with me."

The vampire nodded, pleased that they had reached the same conclusion. And to think, I was in possession of this knowledge and I still fell back into my ridiculous habits. No, it shouldn't be so. I'm not alone anymore. Upon opening his eyes, not having remembered closing them, he was surprised to find his younger companion was pacing the length of the room and murmuring to himself. Having escaped Setsuya's hold without the vampire realizing it was a rather fantastic accomplishment, yet the man did not interrupt the teen's thoughts for the sake of congratulating him. Suddenly, a wave of euphoria washed over Setsuya, knowing that the teenager had fallen "head-over-heels" for him. He rested against the headboard, rather pleased with himself, watching his soul mate untangle the knots in his mind. A snag of anxiety tore at his heart when Zuko finally stilled, facing the man with a look of solemn determination in his eye. What if… What if the boy wanted to leave him? To go back home and forget everything about him? Surely Setsuya had promised not to compel the teenager against his will, but would he be forced to break his promise for the boy's own safety? Or worse, would he have to tell the teenager the truth that he wasn't ready for? That, in the eyes of his father, he was merely a bargaining chip?

"I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing," the teenager said in a low voice, running a tense hand through his own silky locks of hair, still damp from the morning's humidity. "We're little more than acquaintances, yet in the past three weeks- yes, I've been keeping track," he added at Setsuya's wide-eyed gaze. "I have a very tuned internal clock. In the past three weeks I've felt more spiritually connected to you than I've ever been to another person." There was a slight hesitation here that perhaps implied an exception, but the teenager pressed on. "For all I know, it's very possible that you're using some supernatural vampiric seduction method to lure me into a false sense of security." He raised a hand to interrupt Setsuya's heated response. "But I trust you, perhaps more than I should. I feel that there is a connection between us that would be detrimental to disregard. However, if I'm going to remain with you until our bond is complete, we're going to need to set some ground rules."

Setsuya, thrilled by the prospect of the teenager voluntarily remaining with him, nodded his head in blissful agreement. Nevermind that he was being bossed around by someone one-hundred and seven years younger than himself.

"First of all, no more of this moping jealousy foolishness," the teenager began, taking the liberty of crossing his arms and staring the man down. "I'm not a mind reader, Setsuya. You need to tell me when something is bothering you. I don't want you to sit around pouting because you think I'm flirting with others in order to upset you." His glare silenced the vampire, who was itching to interrupt his lecture. "Secondly, in regards to Ryuichi- I don't care if you make amends with him or not. If you could just recognize the fact that he is my teacher, my friend, that is all I would ask of you. I trust him because he opened his soul up to me, and I'm instinctive enough to know whether or not I am in danger. Your protection is welcomed, but I cannot be chained to your side." Setsuya nodded, vowing silently to have another talk with his assistant when he returned underground. "On the same note, I must have more time in the open air without you hovering over me."

The vampire winced at this, eyes shifting about the room nervously. Quick to compromise he blurted out, "Only after our bond strengthens." At Zuko's near-seething look he quickly explained, "It's not that I don't trust you. Simply that, as the population's leader, I have rogue enemies that aren't associated with our civility towards human life. Should I invoke their anger, they'd associate you with me by scent and seek to use you to their advantage. When our bond strengthens, I'll have a better sense of when you are in danger based on your location and mentality. Only after that point will it be safe for you to travel above ground alone." Setsuya gave him a sweet, apologetic smile to cover up his nervous shudder.

Zuko nodded with consent, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. His last words were considerably softer and more affectionate than before. "Lastly, I want you to be honest with me, Setsuya." He pretended not to notice the vampire let out a shaky breath, filled with dread. "You don't have to share your past with me, but I'd like to get to know you better. I don't want you to feel obligated to tell me everything; I know you have had difficult experiences that I can't even begin to comprehend. Even so, I can't help you if you don't let me in." With these words, Zuko pulled forward and knelt before the man, pressing a gentle kiss against his lips. In this kiss, he expressed every underlying statement of his wishes.

There's no replacement for you in my heart.

You have enough to worry about without me in the picture.

There's no physical distance that can impair our bond.

I want to help you, Setsuya. I want to love you.

Setsuya pulled the teenager against him, savoring his taste, his touch, his scent, his warmth. His hands clasped desperately to the younger man, feeling his unspoken passion through the movements of his body and the unbearable beating of his strong, young heart. The vampire descended his lips to his soul mate's neck, feeling the boy let out a slow breath. There he felt the warm, sweet blood pulsing within the foremost veins of Zuko's being, driving him to the near brink with a hungry lust for sustenance. Attempting to pull away, Setsuya lost his grip on the bedpost and stumbled to the side where his hand slammed down on a rickety nightstand of crumbling oak. Needless to say, the ancient furniture could barely support his weight, the left half of the stand collapsing and its drawer falling to the floor with a thunderous crash.

The younger jerked with surprise, nearly knocking his companion to the floor as well. The two sat in a tense, amused silence for a while until the jolt of the occurrence had faded. "You certainly know how to ruin a mood," Zuko teased, watching the other let out an embarrassed laugh.

Setsuya carefully stepped over the destroyed nightstand and motioned towards the door. "Shall we? I'm absolutely famished, and this place is far too quiet even for my tastes." Zuko nodded, a familiar peace passing over his expression. He leapt off of the bed and turned to leave, when the contents of the once-in-tact drawer caught his gaze.

"Setsuya," he breathed, kneeling down and lifting from the drawer a stack of papers perhaps half an inch thick, slightly tinted gold from age. However, no amount of fray or decay could have hidden the pure charcoaled beauty that adorned them. "This- this is you!" he exclaimed, holding the papers up to the light and beginning to flip through them. Portrait after portrait were images of his soul mate, although not as he knew him now. It was a Setsuya of mortal vibrancy, his gorgeous eyes softer, his expression devoid of cold rigidity, his smile that of one practiced more often than not. Sitting at a piano with a concentrated serenity, leaning against a windowsill with his hair brushed back, lying back on an exquisite bed with suppressed innocence, only a sheet wrapped around him. It was surreal, as though Setsuya had both lost and gained a certain defined beauty through his transition into his vampire self. Instantly, Zuko adored the man he saw staring back at him through the drawings as the half of his mate he'd never seen. It was as if he'd suddenly been introduced to the vampire entirely.

Setsuya however, shivered at the sight of his old being and was forced to look away with a shake of his head. "That was me at one point, yes." His voice sounded oddly far-off to his own ears as he continued, "Kuzon was rather fond of using me to practice his arts. Of course, he had to hide his works here. He couldn't allow his parents to know he was wasting his time with visual arts when he was supposedly studying government and economics. On another note, his parents weren't very fond of me at all." A bitter smile passed over the vampire's face as he shook his head free of such thoughts. "No, no the story can't begin like that," he murmured to himself, catching the boy's attention. "It must start from the beginning."

A wave of silent awareness was passed between the both of them before Zuko spoke, "You mean to tell me, then? Of your past?"

"Yes. For the sake of our bond and your understanding, I shall tell you." Setsuya's took a shaky breath before gesturing to the drawings. "I have let the past remain in the past for so long, I pretend to have no responsibility to who I was. It will do us both good. Come, and leave the drawings. We should return before Ryuichi goes mad with worry."

Despite the vampire's words, the teenager found himself pocketing the papers when his soul mate had turned away.

xXxBloodlustxXx

Ryuichi believed that no greater gift of relief could have been bestowed upon him when Setsuya and Zuko entered the underground sanctuary with a considerably agreeable aura surrounding the pair. After returning empty-handed from his search, the vampire had been sure that his own doing had led to the Prince's downfall. With a respectful bow, the teenager offered Ryuichi's sword to him with a sly wink that led the vampire to believe Zuko had indeed gotten his way. Setsuya stepped forward and placed his hand on the forearm of the younger vampire, a gentle and new gesture that made the other swallow and purse his lips in what would have been a blush. Ryuichi noted that Setsuya had finally taken the time to care for himself, his features no longer drawn with weariness and his eyes vibrant with focus. Not to mention the fresh smell of blood and the lightest tinge of red in the man's lips. The thought of Setsuya feeding made Ryuichi shiver with desire. Blood was intimacy, blood was comfort, blood was life. Mind and soul at ease, he pulled Setsuya aside and whispered, "You should tell the council of your little deal with Ozai. I'll have a panic attack if this happens again." The more obvious person who ought to be told was avoided for, coincidentally, obvious reasons. He observed the vampire lord intently, who gave no particular gesture of commitment other than shrug.

"We'll talk later," Setsuya mouthed, hiding a smile as Ryuichi bit his tongue and tangled his fingers together in an attempt to keep from rolling his eyes. Wrapping an arm around Zuko, he offered his assistant a grateful nod before guiding the content teenager back to their room. Before opening the door, he wrapped a hand around the other's eyes and whispered, "I wasn't sure how to make up for my idiocy, so I incorporated the only idea you'd given me. I asked one of my aids to set it up while you were away." With these words he lowered his hands to his mate's shoulders and kissed the young one's neck.

Zuko's eyes widened with surprise before breaking into a soft, sweet laughter. To the side of the bed in the once-empty crevice of their room laid a shelf full of high-quality art supplies, from oils and acrylics to ink and an overwhelming range of charcoal pencils. Fresh sketchbooks and numerous thin canvases with ranging textures were stacked neatly against the wall beside a lovely oak easel that had a beckoning shine to it. The teenager lit the remainder of the candles of the room, purposefully leaving a few untouched until the room had a comfortable, sensual dimness to it. He turned back to Setsuya, staring intently at him from across the room with an enticing smile. "You certainly know how to treat a young man, don't you?" he asked softly, stepping forward and offering a hand to the vampire.

Setsuya accepted and allowed himself to be led to the bed, sensing Zuko's immense gratitude with every gentle caress of a finger against his palm. Setsuya reclined back onto the mattress, using his vampiric muscle memory to recall exactly how Zuko had requested he pose. Zuko stepped back and examined him for a moment, before speaking. "The color of your clothing is almost identical to the bedding," the teenager said with distaste, stepping towards his supplies and thumbing through the first sketchpad, although his eyes hardly left Setsuya. "What do you have underneath your robes?"

The vampire stripped himself of his crimson clothing with haste, revealing a pair of black slacks and a violet silk shirt that opened up down to his mid-chest. Zuko felt his face flush immediately, hiding his embarrassment by turning back to rummage through his new supplies. He looks gorgeous. Never before had he seen the vampire in such flattering clothing, as he lie in what now seemed to be an almost tempting position. Not wanting Setsuya to sense his unease through their bond, he calmed his heart and forced a box around his emotions so that the vampire would only feel his determination. It was a handy technique he'd learned during their night's separation and based on his lifelong meditation techniques: If Zuko could focus hard enough, his awareness of their bond could help him restrain his emotions from reaching Setsuya's conscious.

"Lovely," Zuko murmured, as he gathered Setsuya's abandoned robes and strung them over the desk chair across the room. He then dragged the chair toward the bed, where he could observe his soul mate model for him. He saw the vampire let out a sigh of relief before reclining back into his pose. The teenager's eyes followed the other's body, amazed by the contrast of his clothing against his snow-white skin and the way his clothing hugged his figure. "I'm going to start out with some rough sketches for today," the teenager began, seating himself with one leg at a ninety-degree angle to the other and a sketchpad in his lap. "Tell me if you get restless and want to walk around."

"Would you rather work in silence, or may I speak to you?" the vampire asked, blinking in a slight daze as the fresh blood within his body made him as close to feeling drowsy as a vampire could feel. He ought to have known better than to lie down so soon after feeding.

"Please do," the teenager assured, no, demanded. "I'm capable of listening rather well when I'm working."

Strange. Kuzon hated to talk while he was drawing. The vampire knew very well what conversation Zuko expected to take place, and he waited for a few minutes as though to ensure there would be no immediate interruptions from fussy members of the population who couldn't stand his absence for more than a few hours. By the time Zuko had created two sketches and changed his chair's position three times, he saw fit to begin.

"I was born under the surname of my father, Tadeshi. They were a love match, my parents." Setsuya's voice turned almost dreamlike and full of admiration. "It was still uncommon back then, especially for an aristocrat."

"You were born of noble blood?" Zuko questioned with blatant astonishment, eyes flickering from Setsuya back to his paper.

"Does this surprise you?"

"Well…" The boy looked away uncomfortably. "I know aristocrats, Setsuya, and you're nothing like one." At the vampire's challenging smirk, the teenager fumbled with his words. "Well you know, they're, um-"

"Arrogant? Greedy? Callous?" Setsuya supplied, amused by the other's flustered state. "Yes, most of them are. However, my father wasn't born into the title. His parents died when he was young, so he inherited the estate when he was about eighteen. He owned a single plantation and invested his wealth well so that he could build a nice fortune to support a family. Before he formally met my mother, he had been endowed with a vast land grant by Firelord Souzin, who recognized his financial intelligence and intuition. He fell in love with my mother when he was an established property holder at only twenty-one. My mother was a younger servant on the plantation, and later in his household." Noticing Zuko's deep flush, he laughed. "I know. Scandalous, hmm? I doubt that I was a child of wedlock, after comparing the date on my birth certificate with their wedding license.

"The other nobles told my father that the marriage wasn't advantageous, that it was a poor investment. Of course, having grown up without the influence of upper society, my father was determined to follow his heart. Low and behold, I was born a mere few months later." Setsuya smiled as Zuko shifted positions with a hidden laugh. "I grew up not with a love for the money or power of aristocrats, but with values that two middleclass parents would teach their child: Frugality, compassion, and a great respect for all people. Even so, my parents always provided the best for me. We owned a gorgeous manor and I was sent to the best private school on the mainland. I was trained in music, arts, and studies of every kind with the hope that I could have every skill I possibly needed to be successful and happy. Of course, my parents didn't believe that success in itself brought happiness- Love did, and they knew because they had it. They just wanted me to have every chance in the world to do whatever I desired with my life. They were with me every day, and never hired a nanny or such. I was practically their whole world.

"Of course, even the financial security and the love of my parents couldn't prepare me for the world of young aristocratic heirs." Setsuya sighed, forcing himself to stop in mid-gesture when he attempted to brush away an itch at his neck. "When I was about eight years old, the children around me were growing old enough to start blindly adopting the attitudes of their parents. And for my family, they felt utmost contempt for which I was the main victim. Can you guess why?"

Zuko frowned, his sketching halted for the first time since they'd started. "Well, you obviously had a much different outlook on wealth than they did. I'm sure that they detected your differences and looked down on you for your sympathy toward the poorer classes."

"Yes, but there's more. They thought they knew why I was different." Setsuya smiled bitterly, gesturing towards his eyes. "It was these, Zuko."

"Your… eyes?" the teenager asked slowly, as though he was insinuating that the man was confused. "What did your eyes have to do with it?"

"Vampire's eyes often turn colors after they undergo a transformation, Ryuichi's for example: an unnatural scarlet color that you wouldn't find in any mortal. They become vibrant and beautiful. My eyes, however, have always been this shade. In the Fire Nation, the traditional eye colors are gold, brown, and once in a millennium, green. This shade of violet is only seen in members of the Water Tribe."

"They thought you were an illegitimate child!" Zuko gasped, unconsciously tearing through the parchment beneath his hand. He winced, discarding it and moving on to the next piece.

"There was no true war at the time, so the nations intermingled freely. Even so, the Fire Nation has always been very strict about blood, as you know. Because neither of my parents possessed eyes such as mine, society considered it quite possible that my mother opened her legs for a Water Tribe peasant. However, my mother was a virgin upon marriage and my father believed in her faithfulness to every extent. The doctor who delivered me claimed that if my parents were confident in their exclusive union, it was possible a genetic defect caused my eye color, or even some mixed blood in earlier generations. Whatever the case, my parents seemed to be the only ones who believed I was my father's child." The vampire was quiet for a moment, observing the teenager who had ceased to continue his drawing. "You don't have to believe it either. It sounds farfetched-"

"I believe you," Zuko said in a soothing tone, brushing his hair behind his ears. "By the sound of it, your parents truly loved each other; no one has the right to question that love, nor the demonstration of it through you. Setsuya… You have beautiful eyes, and I see nothing in them that exemplifies any deficiency or shortcoming." He continued sketching, but was determined to meet the other's gaze more frequently.

Setsuya's expression was one of pure gratitude as his eyes softened and he tilted his head with a gentle smile. "You are a sweet-talker, aren't you? Yes, it was my eyes that gave me an aura of forced belonging. It seemed the older I got, the more qualities I gained that were ridicule-worthy. But I jump ahead of myself. You see, being nobility, my parents had social responsibilities regardless of their dislike for great communal gatherings…"

A mere eight years old, young Setsuya put a hand against his mouth to stifle a deep yawn threatening to pass through his lips. Seated by the open window on the third floor of their estate, he could hear the musicians downstairs conducting the fruitless conversation and collective frivolity that intermingled with the distasteful lack of respect for names and depth of character. Having spent the last half an hour playing the piano for their guests, much to the solemn apology of his parents, young Setsuya had had quite enough socialization to last him for a while. He absolutely hated being a showcase at strangers' requests. Leaning against his elbow, he shivered as the cold winds swept through the mahogany curtains. He was chilly, but he wouldn't shut the floor-length windows now. The breeze and the humidity of the summer night just nearly simulated the ocean, or so he was told by his parents. How he would love to see that beautiful body of water-

An echoing step from the stairway to the left altered Setsuya's peaceful interlude and he whipped around with a gasp. Nobody was supposed to be up on the third floor! How dare someone invade his privacy! In the darkness, he could barely make out a figure just barely taller than himself, stricken with surprise when Setsuya made his presence known.

"Oh!" The startled boy at the top of the stairs stepped forward, his hand still lingering on the railing. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize anyone was up here." Despite his words, he continued toward Setsuya until his figure was bathed in the moonlight. His hair was a light russet that looked like it'd been forcibly tousled out of the grip of a styling gel and his golden eyes glimmered amiably in the moonlight. His robes were slightly ruffled and his posture was certainly nothing to brag about. The first words that crossed Setsuya's mind were 'uncultured', 'uncouth', and 'shallow'. Immediately Setsuya scolded himself for jumping to conclusions about a boy he'd known for about seven seconds. Didn't he despise it when people saw him and did such? Of course. That was why he was hiding upstairs.

"It's no matter," Setsuya assured him, bowing graciously with a charming smile. The stranger did not smile back, but the violet-eyed boy was not surprised. No doubt he had something cruel or spiteful to say. Oh well. Proper courtesy was in order anyway. "My name is-"

"Tadeshi. Setsuya, right?" he interrupted, causing the other to start with disdain. Setsuya gave a swift nod, already unnerved by this ill-mannered noble child. "You were in my class last year at the academy. Do you remember my name?"

Setsuya let out a hiss beneath his breath, squinting against the faltering moonlight. They way he said it… It sounded too much like a challenge. The mysterious boy stepped forward and inclined his head as if to give him some sort of a hint. After studying him for a few moments, the face clicked in his mind with a silent gasp. "Kuzon." The most popular boy in the class, if he did remember correctly.

"That's right!" He smiled for the first time, truly delighted by the recognition. "Setsuya, you have a lovely home." Without invitation, Kuzon strode forward and lifted himself to sit on the window ledge next to the other, to Setsuya's near horror. Who did this boy think he was? Nobody had ever acted this way around him before. "I remember you very well. You always got the answers right when the teacher called on you. Boy, were the rest of us sure jealous!" He sighed dreamily, as though reveling in a good memory. "You were quite the teacher's pet, weren't you?"

"I beg your pardon?" Setsuya exclaimed indignantly, who had as powerful sense of dignity as an eight-year-old could have. "I might have been a decent student, but I was no 'teacher's pet'!"

Kuzon merely laughed, heightening Setsuya's sense of dislike for the young boy. "Well it would explain why you were constantly alone." His face suddenly grew very solemn, and he tilted his head to look the other straight in the eye. "Why were you alone all the time? Did the others treat you badly?" Kuzon's face was drenched in guilt. "Did I ever treat you badly?"

Setsuya was stunned by the flood of emotions that flowed through the other's expression. Could it even be possible to feel so many things at one time? "N-No. I just… like being alone."

"You're lying."

"Wh-What?"

"I said you're lying." Kuzon glared at him, almost in a disappointed manner. "No one likes being alone. They pick on you, don't they? The boys in our class?"

Setsuya turned away with flushed cheeks, only to glance back to see the other half-an-inch away from him. "Yes," he finally whispered, gazing into those eyes that tied him to honesty. "Sometimes they do."

Kuzon was quiet for a long while, staring out into the near-full moon with a longing gaze in his eyes. Setsuya could only stare at the moon through the reflection in the other's eyes. This boy, as repulsive as he was, was enchanting and magnetic at the same time. He was so different than any other child he'd met, it was hard not to hold him in high respect. "You know why I came up here?" Kuzon asked, though continued on without waiting for an answer. "I wanted to get away from all of those awful kids. My parents like to see me with them, but they're all boring and mean. They talk about each other constantly when another's back is turned and they're always comparing themselves to each other like their whole life is one big, annoying contest." The golden-eyed boy stared intently at Setsuya, who wrapped his arms around his waist and shivered. "Can I stay up here with you? I think we can be friends."

Setsuya closed his eyes for a moment, before showcasing a genuine smile for his new acquaintance. Suddenly, he felt rather warm. "Yes. Follow me. I'll show you my room, if you like."

"So that was the first time you met?" Zuko asked wondrously, practicing Setsuya's eyes off in the corner of the paper. "Ease up on the blinking, please."

"Yes, it was the first time we met properly. We'd been in class together before, but he'd always been surrounded by wealthy children with famous heritage. His parents influenced his social patterns heavily while he was young. He grew out of that when he met me, as I grew out of my preconceptions of humanity."

"You said earlier that his parents didn't approve of you. Was it because of your questionable bloodline?" Zuko spread his finished sketches across his lap, trying to decide on the angle he liked the most. The lighting is perfect in this one, but in this one Setsuya's body is absolutely flattered.

"Yes, for the most part." Setsuya's face darkened with what Zuko guessed was disdain. "But they saw the ways I changed Kuzon and they looked at me as though I was a pest, a disease. He gained independence from his parents, allowed himself to indulge in his own desire: art. I encouraged his creativity, something his parents had never done for him. We became inseparable after that point, best friends if you will." He let out a hollow laugh, shifting his elbow slightly and then fixing it at Zuko's expectant stare. "Agni, his parents hated me after that! They went so far as to tell my parents I was poisoning their son with my sense of lack of discipline. I vaguely remember my mother slamming the door in their faces."

"Rightfully so," Zuko grunted under his breath, focusing on how pretty Setsuya's pale lips were and imagining how enchanting they looked when scarlet blood dripped slowly down them.

"Thankfully, my parents took the feud no farther than the realm of adulthood. They let me invite Kuzon over to dinner constantly, and they loved having him. I, on the other hand, could not even walk Kuzon to the door of his home without feeling estranged and unwanted. It was bizarre for me to be so close to someone my age. I was sure that by the time summer ended and we returned to school that his attitude towards me would change; that he would go back to ignoring me and I would be stuck in the library during my lunchtimes again. But, he surprised me." Setsuya smiled, despite feeling the first pang of aching in his heart since he'd begun speaking. "He never left my side. When he first realized exactly how cruelly the other children treated me, he stood up for me. No one had ever done that before. He protected me when I couldn't stand up for myself. I was withdrawn, you see. I let myself get pushed around because I never wanted to draw attention or stir-up trouble."

"And I'm sure Kuzon was the same way." Zuko laughed, looking almost guilty behind his sarcasm. Even if he couldn't hold himself accountable for his past life's actions, he could certainly see the parallel in his own personality.

Setsuya shook his head, slipping the boy a sly wink. "If Kuzon hadn't received detention by midday, the day was considered wasted. Honestly, I still don't understand the workings of his mind. He was very intelligent, but hardly ever studied and he copied off of my homework constantly."

"Really?" Zuko glanced skeptically at him over his notebook. "It seems you'd have more academic integrity than that."

"Normally I did," the vampire growled, rolling his eyes. "But I simply couldn't refuse him! If I had the time, I tried to tutor him in our lessons, but he simply wasn't intrigued by the material. In his eyes, it wasn't worth studying."

"And his uptight parents had no qualms about this?"

"Well…"

"You're hardly ever awake this early in the morning, Kuzon. What's the occasion?" The light red tinge of dawn was making its way over the horizon, illuminating Setsuya's smile against the fading twilight sky. His older companion had surprised him this morning by intercepting his path to school at the unearthly hours at which Setsuya traveled (for a bit of extra studying, of course).

"Actually," the thirteen year old began sheepishly, tugging at his robes. "I was hoping you'd let me borrow your history thesis." The boy looked visibly tired, as though he'd dragged himself out of bed and threw on his school uniform without attending to his personal hygiene or his rather disheveled hair.

"Kuzon, we just had three days off!" Setsuya exclaimed, appalled by the other's lack of diligence. "Surely you must have started your paper?" It shouldn't really have been surprising, yet Setsuya found himself shaking his head at the other's insufferable procrastination.

"I was busy!" he defended weakly, suffering under a disappointed stare. "Look at this color, Setsuya! Tell me what color this is!" He shoved a piece of paper that emerged out of his pocket into his companion's face, who merely sighed and held it up towards the light materializing in the distance.

"Red," Setsuya said decisively, much to Kuzon's irritation.

"Look harder, Setsuya!"

"Erm... Crimson?"

"Scarlet! It's scarlet!" Kuzon threw his hands up into the air, as though this explained everything. "And this one, Setsuya! What is this color?!"

"Violet?"

"For heaven's sake, it's dark orchid!"

"Of course. How silly of me. Allow me to infer? You spent the last three days mixing colors and naming them?"

"Absolutely! I can hardly call myself an artist if I cannot recognize the colors of my very palette." Kuzon stuffed the color cards back into his pocket with a smirk, which soon turned into a pleading gaze as Setsuya refused to answer him. "Please, Setsuya! I can't pass the class if I don't turn in the final paper. I can't fail, or they'll expel me for sure! My parents will keep me under house arrest if they find out I haven't kept up with my studies."

Setsuya made it a point to emphasize a deep, dramatic sigh before speaking. "Although I don't agree with your extremist approach to the creative arts, I suppose I can't reprimand you for feeling passionate about something. Alright, you can borrow my thesis. But you have to agree to make your paper an antithesis of mine, alright? The teacher knows we're good friends, and you'll be in even more trouble if you're caught cheating." Kuzon nodded eagerly, snatching the pre-offered slip of paper out of Setsuya's hands and squinting at it as they approached the school. "Honestly, you and your colors," the other mumbled, straightening out his uniform blazer. "If you worked half as hard on your homework as you do your artwork you'd be a top student."

Kuzon mumbled incoherent agreement, letting out a curse after reading his companion's thesis for the fourth time. "This outline is perfect. There is no antithesis for this! How can I prove this false when you've built a brick wall around your reasoning?"He growled in frustration while Setsuya smiled patiently.

"Think about the notes we took yesterday," he urged, sighing with relief as the sun peeked over the horizon and warmed his chilled skin. "Remember the old empire's method of economic sustenance? The uprisings that followed?"

Kuzon bit his lip as he fumbled with the gate that led into the academy grounds, deep in thought. "The old empire used, erm, c-cap-"

"Capitalism," Setsuya supplied, nodding him onward. "And why did it fail?"

"Because the banks, well, the banks weren't built with capitalism in mind. The currency wasn't supported by the reserves of gold and…"

"The stocks?"

"The stockholders expected too much too soon. When trade faltered because of the treaty violations with the Earth Kingdom, their investments went down the sewers. Too many goods, nowhere to sell them. And so… it proved to be a period of economic disaster. Just like your thesis reiterates," Kuzon added bitterly, not noticing Setsuya's sly smile.

Holding the door to their first class open for his friend, the violet-eyed boy whispered mischievously, "And the end result?"

"The… economic revolution!" Kuzon rejoiced, taking his friend by the arm with eagerness. "The following decade sported the greatest advancements of the financial system that shaped our modern day economy! Our industry became independent and the government fixed everything that was screwed up!" Setsuya nodded with a wink as they took their regular seats at the back of the classroom, after which Kuzon struggled to complete his thesis. Their economics class was one of the few classes that they shared, considering Kuzon was a year above his friend. However, his great dislike for all things having to do with memorization, government, and money forced the older boy to retake the class. Students slowly trickled into the room as time passed, discussing the latest firebending tournament or their anxiety about their term grades. Many came up and greeted Kuzon asking for his opinion on such matters, and a few even acknowledged Setsuya with so much as a polite nod.

"I despise this class," Kuzon muttered to his companion as the teacher walked through the door and silence was instilled. Students quickly made their way back to their seats and took their places as the stern man with a curled moustache launched immediately into a monotonic lecture about Lord Souzin's minor adjustments to the financial system as of two weeks ago. "Leave it to an economics teacher to find significance in the smallest details. It's ridiculous." Setsuya shook with silent laughter, hushing the other with a finger to the lips. 'Don't be a prude,' Kuzon mouthed, causing the other to roll his eyes, cajoled into stealthily passing notes for the rest of the period.

When is came time for their next class, the teacher passed out their marks for the semester, clearing his throat meaningfully as he handed Kuzon his. The young man gulped, twisting open the paper to find that he had just barely missed a passing score and would be asked to repeat the course once again. "Damn it!" the boy hissed, catching Setsuya's attention. "How did you do?"

The violet-eyed boy shrugged uncomfortably. "Fine, I suppose." In truth, the he had the highest marks in the class, and Kuzon was quite aware of that.

"Setsuya, I failed again! Even money can't keep me in this school now!"

"Now Kuzon, settle down," Setsuya soothed in a practiced tone, setting a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. "We still have to turn in our final papers in a week. It'll be enough to raise you to a passing grade if you do well."

"There you go again, always the calm one! I don't think I can do it… I failed almost every single test we've taken, and I'm awful at informative composition essays!" The young teenager ran a frustrated hand through his hair, letting out every curse word he'd ever learned. "How am I-"

"I'll help you!" Setsuya interrupted, effectively silencing Kuzon. It wasn't often that the younger spoke with a volume above a whisper. "I'll help you if I have to write the whole Agni-damned thing for you! I won't let you fail this class, Kuzon."

'I won't let them take you away from me.'

"Setsuya, I-" Kuzon halted for a moment, at a loss for words. After pursing his lip in thought for a moment, his expression softened to an unusual level of tender gratitude. "Sometimes I wonder how I ended up with a friend like you," he murmured with amazement, once again running a hand through his hair with a determined sigh. "I'll work hard, I promise. With your help there's no way I can't do well."

"But that still leaves the matter of your term report," Setsuya said, nodding his head towards the piece of paper clutched in Kuzon's hand. "Your parents have to sign that."

Kuzon scoffed with laughter, pulling out a writing quill from his bag and dipping it into Setsuya's ink vial lying idly atop of his desk. "Please, Setsuya. My parents haven't seen my grades for years. As long as the school hasn't directly contacted them, they think I'm doing fine." He glanced around to make sure the teacher was occupied before signing off the names of his parents on the paper.

"Kuzon!" Setsuya hissed, watching his friend work in horror. "You can't-" His voice trailed off, reminding himself that his older companion did not have the same relationship with his parents as he did. "Alright. Come to my house after school. We'll start on your paper."

Zuko was quiet for a while, his fingers tracing the sketch he'd chosen. The detail was minimal, yet it was obvious that the angle he'd chosen was very becoming for the vampire: A full-body view, drawn at an angle as to present the man at a slight inclination, torso-foremost. He hadn't dared try to work on Setsuya's facial features, for he would only be discouraged by his inability to portray the man as he wished. A vampire's beauty was far too stunning to leap confidentially into. He would have to practice first.

"Beautiful," Zuko whispered to himself, turning his attention back to Setsuya. He sat up straight, folding the papers into the notebook beneath his seat. "Did he ever take advantage of your friendship? It sounds like you would have done anything for him."

"He was the first real friend I ever had," the older man admitted, eyes fluttering as though awaking from a dream. "It's true, I'd have tested his food for poison if he asked me to. But Kuzon never exploited our friendship, and he helped me more than I ever could have helped him. I may have aided him in scraping decent scores in school, but he… he protected me. He helped me evolve emotionally, and without him I'd have never learned how relationships outside of my family were supposed to work." His gorgeous violet eyes shone brilliantly as he stretched out and crossed his legs atop the bed. "I can't imagine how I would have turned out had I not learned to become a stronger, more confident person. My mortal life would have turned out rather badly, with my tendency to let people walk all over me. Not to say that it turned out very well in the end," he added softly, biting his lip.

Zuko drew a deep breath, understanding from Setsuya's tone that it would be appropriate to end the subject for a time. He crawled onto the bed next to the vampire and embraced him, stifling a gasp at how dangerously thin the man felt without his robes covering his body. Zuko bit his tongue to suppress a curse word, pressing a kiss against Setsuya's cheek. Fucking vampire didn't even have the decency to feed Setsuya properly before he killed him. He couldn't imagine what his soul mate would have gone though in his months held as a captive to his vampire master, and he hoped he'd never have to.

"You're very admirable," Zuko informed him, his golden eyes reflecting the lone candle in the corner of the room. "You speak of your past so easily, considering all you've been through."

"I have so many good memories," the vampire assured him, his cold hands massaging the boy's neck with affection. "Even if it's sometimes difficult to recall them underneath the tangles of my immortal life. Certainly, you'll have to begin telling me of your own origin soon."

Zuko chuckled, succumbing to his mate's graceful hands artfully mastering his shoulder muscles. "There's not nearly as much to tell. You've been alive for what, one-hundred and twenty years? I can hardly compare."

"Nevertheless," Setsuya insisted, releasing his hold on the teenager, much to the boy's distaste, and seeking out his outer clothing on the other side of the room. "I have much to learn about you, my young one. We must balance our bond, or we'll be lopsided. Agni knows you're lopsided enough." Setsuya hid a smile behind his cloak as Zuko gave an indignant start.

"Me?" he exclaimed, crossing his arms with a raised eyebrow. "You're talking to someone who fights with a sword in one hand and a flame in the other. I am the epitome of balance. If there's anyone in this room who's lopsided, it's you. Your signature might as well be written on tree bark for how uneven it is."

"I'll have you know that it took me fifteen years to master that signature! When I first began in office, my council demanded that my signature be the same on every single document. I had to practice it in my spare time until my hand couldn't write anything else!"

"Oh, is that right? Did you practice it on tree bark?"

xXxBloodlustxXx

"How did it happen?"

"Not sure. Could have been one of us, could have been one of them. Either way, we have to get him back to Setsuya. It's only been a few hours since death. He could very well become one of us."

"Is there anyway to tell beforehand?"

"I'm afraid not. Why?"

"It's nothing, it's just- if Lord Setsuya had known that I might become… I would have had him-"

"We respect all forms of life, Ryuichi. You'll face dire consequences if you do anything rash."

The vampire didn't answer, staring down tenderly at the young male teenager no older than fifteen in his arms. "I suppose you're right, Hayate."