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.

10. To Bond

Setsuya traced the fallen leaves with narrow eyes, kneeling on the damp forest floor with concentration etched into his face. "Blood," he whispered to himself, still as a statute as he observed the evidence visible to only the vampiric eye. He felt his escorts creep around him and scrutinize the landscape with equal attentiveness. With two crouching on his left and three on his right, he felt as though he was a part of a cluster of stone gargoyles. "Our little rogue has finally made their first mistake. How careless." He gently picked up a single leaf by the stem and inhaled deeply into its creases. "Human blood. Can't be more than a day or so old. We're catching up."

It had been a week since they'd begun their nonstop hunt for the hunter, and the frail leads that they found only led them around in circles within the heart of the mainland forestry. While infinite in physical endurance, all six vampires' morale had been severely tarnished by the extended pursue. The mud of the forest was deep, their hearts were as heavy as their feet, and there was a tainted humidity in the air predicting putrid acidic rain to hamper their sense of smell. Even so, the cloud cover was the only thing allowing them to travel during the daytime without attracting the attention of silly mortals chopping down their trees.

"Perhaps it's a trap, my Lord" one of his comrades spoke up, brushing her hair back with a hiss of frustration. Wrapping her arms around her waist, her nose wrinkled distastefully at the scent in the air. "We've never spotted a slip up such as this before."

"Trap or not, it will direct us to the leader," Setsuya murmured, tucking the blood sample into his cloak. "However, should we go any further the volcanic tunnels of our home will end. If it does turn out to be a trap, help will not arrive fast enough." He stood, turning toward the party with a sigh, digging his heel into the dirt impatiently. Every valuable second wasted would have to be made up with sheer speed. "Any serious qualms about proceeding?"

"It ain't like they can kill us 'r nothin'," one man remarked with a shrug, running a hand through his greasy hair. "We ain't got nothin' to lose by gettin' ourselves into a pickle." Three others nodded solemnly, and Setsuya inclined his head with favor. Not the words he would have chosen, but it reiterated his point.

"We may be immortal, but we aren't invincible," another man insisted, his bulging muscles and vicious glare compensating for his lack of 'tough guy' lingo. "I say we head back and gather more people. There's no harm in being prepared for a potential ambush."

"Yes but-"

"You forget that we-"

"Now that's the right idea-"

"And how about-"

"There's no time to go back!" Setsuya interrupted as authoritatively as he could, causing all five vampires to quiet immediately. "By what we've seen in the past few days, we can infer that they've already killed two more humans. Now, either we follow them or we spend immeasurable time trying to catch up with them again. I will precede the group by five miles. If anything goes wrong, the level of danger will determine whether you come to assist me or go back for help. Too much blood has been spilt to stop the chase at this point. Can we agree on that fact alone?"

They were silent for a moment, soaking in the silence as they came to a comfortable consensus. "With all due respect, my Lord, there's no way in hell we're letting you go by yourself," the muscular one claimed, striking his fist against his heart rather dramatically.

"We'll be either right beside you or dead!" the youngest woman said, before pondering her choice of words.

"We'll catch the bastard if it's the last thing we do!"

"Watch your language! There are ladies present!"

"We'll catch up to them, my Lord. Have no doubts about that."

Setsuya's expression softened, wishing he had the strength to bring himself to smile. "Very well. Let us waste no more time."

xXxBloodlustxXx

"For heaven's sake, Zuko, stop wasting time. Now are you going to learn this properly or aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, Ryu." The teenager sighed, wiping his sweaty hands against his shirt. "I'm just not feeling myself." He sheathed the swords in his hand and stalked over to the wall, leaning against it as though begging for it to swallow him up. Can't he give it a rest? I can't feel my arms anymore.

"No kidding," the vampire grumbled, sheathing his sword and dropping to the ground of the training room with a disappointed pout. "I've seen a platypus-bear handle swords with better vigilance. At a circus."

"Aw, shut up." Zuko shook his head and began pacing in a crooked line about the room. "My head is still spinning from my fever." During Setsuya's weeklong absence he had been cured of his illness and had taken up his sparring lessons from Ryuichi once again. An additional blessing graced him, for since Setsuya's departure there had not been another 'memory dream' invading the peace of the young teenager's sleep. However, it was Setsuya's very absence that made all three factors seem a tad bit bleak.

While he could credit his swordsmanship teacher with his precision and experience, his impatience couldn't be easily overlooked. "Alright, we'll start again later. You have to remember, they're dual swords. Two halves of the same whole. Treat them like two separate swords, and they won't honor you." He fell stubbornly silent when he found that Zuko was ignoring him, biting each of his nails with a nervous frown. "Whatever," the vampire finally muttered, laying back and crossing his hands behind his head. "And people think it's easy being me. I was convinced that I was done dealing with adolescents when I died, and here one stands before me! Maybe this is my eternal torture. I tried to be a good mortal, I really did! I took care of my brother, I shopped for my step-mother, and I even went to weekly worship! …Most of the time, anyway. Still, I can't-" He opened his eyes to find Zuko staring down at him with worry.

"Ryuichi, how dangerous is it going after this vampire? I mean-"

"It's not as dangerous as going up against Setsuya, that's for sure." Ryuichi waved his hand carelessly, pretending to stifle a yawn as he spoke. "He's the longest living vampire that there is. Besides, he took five others with him. Now would you quit worrying? You're going to give yourself wrinkles." He turned onto his side, hiding any last expression of doubt out of Zuko's line of sight.

The teenager inclined his head with a shaky breath, just barely capturing a glimpse of Ryuichi's guilty expression. It's more dangerous than he's letting on. Trying to imitate the other's cool composure, Zuko wiped his brow with his sleeve and let out an uneasy chuckle. "Alright. I'm going to bathe then. Will you let me know if Setsuya sends word?"

"Of course."

Zuko nodded gratefully, slinging his discarded cloak over his shoulder and bowing to his teacher. Ryuichi's assuring smile faded as his sparring partner turned his back and headed up the stairs. He fell back into the earthen floor with a shudder. Staring up into thin air, he suddenly wished he could fall asleep, one of the few skills he envied within a mortal's capacity. Maybe it would help him escape from the dangerous game he was playing.

"Ryuichi."

The vampire jumped at the chilling voice, spinning around only to sneer at his company. "What do you want, Khai?" he spat, leering at the young one with a praiseworthy glare. The beautiful teenager stepped forward, his eyes reflecting a deep dislike while his expression was purely one of calm. The discomfort and anxiety that Khai had trained into his aura had been replaced with the natural grace and self-satisfaction of their kind. It came so artlessly to him, it was sickening.

"Our Lord has sent us orders."

xXxBloodlustxXx

Zuko slithered into the hot spring with a moan, dipping his head back and resting against the ledge of the pool. The water washed away his anxieties along with his sweat, causing him to breathe a deep sigh of relief. Setsuya was alright. He had to be alright. Grabbing the nearest soap with his hand, he lathered it furiously in his palms. And yet, there was a constant tug at his heartstrings that could not easily be identified. Finally, he decided to put into words what had been troubling him since the vampire left on his extended mission:

"I should have told Setsuya that I loved him before he left."

The teenager strung an arm across his chest and closed his eyes. He wasn't entirely sure what had instilled this sudden longing in him, to speak the words he'd never dared spoken to the older man. He would not deny that he loved Setsuya, for it would be a lie to do so. Of course, he was a teenager after all and this was his first love, one that would need maturing. He knew that many of his own society might find this love twisted and manipulative, but that was the beautiful thing about living amongst the vampires- love had no boundaries. When he witnessed Setsuya's protectiveness, his affection, his passion, his serenity intertwined with his caring leadership… Why, it was no wonder so many people had fallen in love with the vampire. It was so easy to, after all.

Of course, it was silly to think that Setsuya would be injured or anything of the sort. He was a vampire after all, and a vampire's only weakness was- he lifted his palm out of the water and made a small flame with a mere snap of his fingers. Zuko stared at the entity for a moment before shuddering as though it disgusted him. It was time to measure the strength of their bond. Putting his right hand to his heart, he focused closely on his breathing before reaching out and synching into their connection. What was once a thin strand of twine had grown into a tightly bound rope, nourished by their adoration and trust in each other.

Gathering the love of his heart and eradicating his anxiety and doubt, Zuko touched Setsuya's soul, receiving a pleasurable encirclement in return. His heart slowly gathered speed and strength as Setsuya's very presence could be felt as though the man was right next to him. A slight, unconscious smile came to his face as the darkness was suddenly entrenched in the vampire's mixed frustration of the past days and his joy in feeling his soul mate.

Setsuya felt a sudden, strong heartbeat in his chest as he ran throughout the forest, dodging trees and branches of the like. Needless to say, it was not his own. Shocked by his mate's sudden utilization of their bond, he let out a sharp gasp that went unnoticed by his determined companions spread out a few feet across their line of advancement. He gratefully embraced Zuko's presence in his heart, feeling the young man wash away his negative, painstaking emotions and leave him with only a refreshed glow in his aura.

Zuko sighed, shivering despite the warm water as he became less and less aware of his surroundings. Setsuya, there was only Setsuya now. Slowly as the vampire's consciousness was clear of negativity, he allowed his strong emotion of love trickle through, as though a small leak from a frail, overflowing dam. Moment by moment, as not to overwhelm the other, he allowed the powerful emotion to wash over Setsuya and envelop him in what he'd been dying to tell him for so long.

Only careful practice was the key to ensuring that Setsuya didn't run into a tree and fall flat on his back. There was no denying the determination and strength with which Zuko was using their bond, relaying an overwhelming sentiment that he had not felt in its completeness since he'd lain beside Kuzon. Zuko was in love with him, clear as the moon at twilight. Instead of the awkward fear he once thought he would feel after 'hearing' those words, he felt an odd passion. The teenager's heart, faster and stronger, beat forcefully in his chest. He reciprocated the emotion with every ounce of his being, his eyes and body adjusting to the initiated autopilot.

"Setsuya…" The word slipped from his lips, along with a sigh. He maintained the link, knowing that the moment he receded into his own consciousness he would return to longing for his mate. He vaguely became aware of his physical body as his heart pounded in his chest, laughing softly as he sensed his soul mate's bliss at the sensation of his ecstatic heartbeat. Zuko felt a sudden blush taint his cheeks when he realized that his mate probably knew of his current status, as Setsuya was obviously attuned to his physical being.

The vampire smirked, coming to a slow and pausing behind a tree with such stealth that his comrades did not notice. He was twice as fast as any of them. They were far from the target, and he would catch up in no time. Closing his eyes, he focused on the very muscle fibers of his own arm, dead but preserved and functioning as was the rest of his body. 'Zuko will enjoy this demonstration.'

Zuko's abandoned limbs rose from his sides and embraced his chest tightly. He shuddered, but he didn't dare open his eyes. It was not his own touch that he felt, but Setsuya's cold and slender embrace wrapping around his body. With a pleasurable sigh, he leant back as Setsuya's touch ascended, tracing his shoulders and paying special attention to his throat, making a playful nip with a fingernail there.

Setsuya shivered, his mate's warm, wet skin causing a deeply buried desire to flow within his heart. This was their passion, their love. Leaning against the tree beside him, his soft pants turned into groans of unbridled craving. His hands slid down to Zuko's stomach, then sinking to his hips where they massaged the skin beneath them. The teenager had such smooth, warm skin… He caressed the boy's body with affection, his message obvious: 'This is what I can do for you, Zuko. I touch only you in this way.' He took a deep breath, feeling the teenager writhe beneath his metaphysical touch. He felt Zuko's pleasure mount in his abdomen as his fingers began to outline the teen's trembling legs beneath the hot water.

Zuko let out a low hiss, feeling the vampire begin caress his inner thigh. His face was flushed with the passion and ignominy of his submission, as he began to let out low moans at the very thought of his mate's desire to stroke his bare form. Never, never would he have thought this to be possible. His arousal throbbed between his legs, making even remembering to breathe a chore to accomplish. He bit his lip as the touch ghosted over his sensitive member, driven wild by his inability to control his body as Setsuya's tool of bold, pleasurable torture.

Setsuya began to memorize the last of Zuko's body that he had not yet covered, no longer able to smirk in triumph as his own body ached for the release he could not give it. The aching whirled in his gut while he was unable to react to it. Growling in maddening pleasure, the vampire lord held onto his sanity for a little longer as he focused on slowly, teasingly bringing his mate towards completion. Sweat began to bead on the man's brow, the sensation of his counterpart's racing heart in his chest bringing him to a strange new height. Setsuya focused his determined touch on the very areas that he felt Zuko shiver and struggle against his hold. He felt the other come to the brink of release on more than one occasion, quick to snatch away his touch just in time to allow the agonizing pleasure to linger.

Zuko began to beg incoherently to his mate, knowing Setsuya would not be able to hear him. He finally focused his frustrated agony and channeled it forcibly along their bond, receiving a gentle acknowledgement in return. After waiting only a moment, Setsuya began to deliver a firm pattern of strokes to his length that brought him steadily toward his peak. At last, stalling the last stroke in an unbearable moment, Zuko was certain he could feel a pair of frosty lips press against his own. He let out a shaky cry as Setsuya brought him to an astounding finish, his essence washed away by the water lapping at his chest.

The vampire fell to his knees with shaky relief, as his mate's climax was his own implicit relief. Sweat drenched his hair and he could barely stand at the ecstasy of the sensation. How many years had it been since he'd felt like that? He opened his eyes, gently bringing their bond back to a subtle existence. This love… there would be so many obstacles to overcome, ones being constantly pushed aside by his own tormented mind. Now that the time for their union had come and subsided, there was no time to reflect upon it. He leapt to his feet and sprinted down the dense forest to catch up with his companions.

Zuko stared half-lidded at the ceiling for an incalculable amount of time, his right hand resting on his heart. The moments during their passion had been wonderful, but now-

Setsuya just…

And I, I let him…

It was just so…

I love him, but…

Unable to finish a single thought, Zuko shook his head clear of his delirium and focused. It was only intended to be an innocent expression of love! Even so, they had turned the tables and made it into a lustful affair. Was this normal? For Setsuya? For anyone? There could only be one person that he would be comfortable to turn to under such circumstances.

"Ryuichi?! Ryuichi?! Open the door, this is an emergency!"

"Settle down, settle down!" The vampire opened the door and leapt away from the range of Zuko's pounding fist. Ryuichi stared wide-eyed as the teenager slammed the door shut. The disheveled boy, dressed in loose clothes with his hair still wet, pushed the vampire onto the bed and kneeled next to him. He clasped the older man's hands with his own, shaking slightly from fear and amazement. Ryuichi shushed the trembling teen, who only clasped the man's hands all the tighter.

"Ryu! I-!" Zuko suddenly jerked his head up and surveyed the room, before leaning in to whisper to the vampire. "I have something to ask of you." The teenager's cheeks flushed a bright red as Ryuichi sighed, putting his hands on the younger's shoulders and pushing him down onto the bed, climbing atop him before administering a gentle kiss to his neck. "Ryuichi! Wh-what the hell?!" Zuko scrambled away, only to be pinned to the mattress by the unwavering vampire. His heart pounded in his chest as Ryuichi's lips ascended to capture his earlobe.

"Please, you don't have to ask. It's obvious isn't it?" Ryuichi smiled with a hint of boredom, his hand resting on Zuko's thigh only to be slapped away. "Don't be shy now. I knew you would be around."

"What are you talking about? Let me go!" Zuko bared his teeth and practically snapped at the vampire's arm, while Ryuichi only seemed to be egged on by the gesture. The man's fingers trailed across the teen's collarbone, as he flaunted his incisors playfully.

"You want me to train you in the love arts because you think Setsuya will be disappointed with you if you're inexperienced. I knew this day would come. Relax, and I'll show you-"

"Ryuichi, please!" Zuko finally squirmed his leg between them and kicked the man in the chest, causing the vampire to cough and back away, holding his hands up in surrender. "Are you out of your mind?! Crazy, sword-swinging, bloodsucking vampire!" Zuko growled, tucking his legs against his chest and sitting up against the headboard. "How vain could you possibly be?"

Ryuichi sighed, smile lingering on his lips. "I'm sorry, my friend. I was only teasing, after all." He winced at Zuko's expectant leer. "Well, perhaps there was a slight element of truth to my accusations. In any case, you'll remember where to go when the time comes. Now what did you come here to ask me, Princess?"

"Um…" Zuko squirmed uncomfortably, hugging his thighs tighter to his body. "It's sort of along those same lines, if you get my meaning. But you have to promise me you won't tell Setsuya about this." He blushed heavily, suddenly wondering if he'd made a mistake coming to see the man.

Ryuichi inclined his head questioningly, scooting closer to the flustered mortal. "You have my word," he said, lowering his voice so that the teenager would be more comfortable. "What's this all about?"

"Setsuya… H-He… I-" Zuko sighed, bringing his nervous hand to his mouth. How am I supposed to explain this to him? He'll think I'm crazy. "Well you see, erm, before he left, Setsuya, he and I-" With a flushed face, the teenager looked away with a shudder.

"Zuko, it's alright," Ryuichi consoled, giving him a genuine smile and resting his hand on the younger's arm. "Please, there's nothing you could possibly be ashamed of in my presence. You've never judged me concerning such matters, and I'm certainly in no position to do such. Come now, I may have some good advice for you."

"Alright," Zuko finally agreed, allowing his eyes to meet the beautiful scarlet eyes of his counterpart. I suppose I can bend the truth just a little without making a difference. "Well, before he left I told Setsuya th-that I loved him." Ryuichi's expression softened and his lips parted with surprise. He nodded the teenager on, listening intently as he continued, "It was the first time I'd ever said it to him, you see. We, um, started kissing and it ended up being a little more intimate than I expected. He, erm, touched me and…" He left a meaningful pause. "I was wondering if it was normal, how quickly we've become so physically familiar with each other."

Ryuichi contemplated the matter for a moment, his eyelids fluttering in thought. He pursed his lips with a deep breath and considered his words before speaking, "You must first understand something about vampires in general. We are sexual creatures, this longing instilled into us by the stimulation of blood. As we drink our little elixir of life, it kindles in us all desires of our body; primal instincts like violence, emotional longing, companionship, and sex. After only moments these desires can fade, but being battered by them consistently without relief is simply unbearable. You can appreciate Setsuya's trouble. With all of his sacrifices for the population and his own sake, he must keep these desires in check by mere willpower." Ryuichi found himself staring at the floor, no longer able to look the other in the eye. "Suppressing these instincts for so long… You understand, don't you? I-I was in your position not too long ago, excluding the fact that I was more of a seductive snake than a natural beauty such as yourself.

"I took advantage of that weakness. But he chose to administer his affections to you." Ryuichi laughed, stroking Zuko's loose strand of hair between his fingers. "You may not believe me, but it's an absolutely natural pace for a vampire. It's none of my business how your intimacy has progressed before this time, but you must have been comfortable with the idea if you allowed him to-" Ryuichi suddenly feel silent, whipping around to look the teenager straight in the eye. "You did allow him, didn't you?"

"Of course I-" Zuko's words faded on his lips as his heart stopped dead in his chest. I-I did allow him didn't I? Well, Setsuya hadn't particularly asked him, and yet… The vampire would have stopped if he'd felt any prominent discomfort radiating from Zuko wouldn't he? Yes, of course. Oh, how could there possibly be a straight answer to such a question? Particularly when Ryuichi didn't understand the depth of their bond. "Yes, Ryuichi. Of course I allowed it, or he wouldn't have done it." Zuko hid his moment's hesitation by turning with his back facing the other, resting his head on the vampire's shoulder.

"I know," the older man laughed, waving away the matter with a flick of his wrist. His somber demeanor reversed, and he ruffled the teen's hair affectionately. "But I had to ask, didn't I? Yes. Now, I think you're getting all worked up over something rather small. It was not an exhibition of lust, as you might have considered it, but an expression of devotion. He was worshipping you- your being as well as your body. Setsuya would never push you to go farther than you were comfortable with, and his methods of showing affection are no more or less drastic than that of the average vampire. You'd think with an eternity ahead of us, we'd be more apt to taking things slowly, hmm?"

Zuko chuckled, shaking his head at his own silliness. "Perhaps you're right, Ryu. I ought to be more grateful that Setsuya was willing to share such an experience with me. But how can I keep it from becoming awkward when he returns?"

"Oh, that's an easy one. The moment he sits down in a chair you have him cornered. Just sit yourself right down on his lap, wrap your arms around his neck, kiss the left side of his throat, and whisper in his ear how much you missed him. That ought to break the ice easy. Just remember you're trying to ease him up, not sugar him up. Setsuya dislikes being smothered."

"Left side of his throat, huh?" Zuko raised an eyebrow, elbowing the man in the ribs lightheartedly. "I suppose this comes from firsthand experience?"

"Naturally. You don't think that my lovely looks alone were enough to melt that ice around his heart, do you?" Ryuichi sighed, his playful tone striking a particular ring of truth. "Don't worry. Just be thankful Setsuya is more suave than he is prideful." His expression turned almost chillingly grave as he murmured, "You must be wary of the path you've chosen, Zuko. When it comes down to it, Setsuya is a man. There's only one true desire in a man's heart when they touch their mate so, and that desire is to feel the pleasure of dominating the other."

Mate? Zuko shivered at Ryuichi's word choice, taking the liberty of lying back on the vampire's bed and resting his head on his pillow with a yawn. "There's only so much I can do for him, Ryu. Letting him take advantage of me doesn't quite make the list." He kept his voice soft but firm, ensuring that the other wouldn't take to worrying about his wellbeing.

"Good boy," Ryuichi muttered beside him, running his fingers through the younger's hair. The two lay in a revered silence for a few minutes, before Zuko sat up and kissed Ryuichi on the cheek with a smile.

"Well, I think I've bothered you enough for one day. I'm sorry about rushing in like I did. I guess I was just being silly." He slid out of the bed, nodding towards the vampire with respect. "You know, I shouldn't judge people so quickly before I get to know them. You really turned out to be a great guy. Just goes to show that instincts aren't always the greatest asset."

Ryuichi smiled, years of practice hiding the horror beneath his expression. "Yeah well, I thought you were a brat when I found out you were a prince. I can honestly say that I was very, very wrong." Not to say that you weren't right on the money. "Flattery will get you nowhere, anyhow. I expect you tomorrow for lessons again. No excuses." He watched the teenager laugh, a sickening twist in his stomach. Two seconds away from closing the door- "Oh, Zuko?!"

The teenager turned expectantly at the uneasy man. There was one moment, one horrible moment of silence before Ryuichi finally choked out, "Remember that new vampire boy I was telling you about? Well, he's awfully shy around all of us and he's really not doing so well. I think perhaps he'd do better communicating with someone his own age. Could you pay him a visit today and coax him into feeling a bit more comfortable?"

Zuko immediately brightened, his eagerness apparent as he nodded fervently. "Sure thing! Which room is he in?"

Ryuichi took a deep breath to hide his horror at the young one's predictability. It was just like Zuko to be so agreeable to another's needs, not thinking once about the danger of being around a vampire fresh from the bite. "Right down the first hall, second door on your left. He'll let you in, but he won't talk much. Don't think just because he's silent he doesn't enjoy your company."

"I'll stay with him for a while," Zuko assured him, attempting to comb out his damp hair to little avail. The prospect of dealing with a peer of his own stature sounded positively refreshing, and he wouldn't pass the opportunity up.

"Thank you, Zuko. His name is Khai, and he'll really appreciate it. Oh, but don't tell Setsuya you went to see the boy. You know how protective that man can be. He's paranoid about people he's only just met."

"Of course." Zuko waved goodbye, turning around just in time to avoid seeing Ryuichi's hand fly to his burning lips.

Agni, have mercy on me.

xXxBloodlustxXx

Setsuya drew in an uneven breath, sensing something along the lines of horror just barely suppressed by Zuko's inner consciousness. Well, if the teenager was in a position to attempt to block Setsuya, it couldn't be all that awful. Unless a rampant, shameless vampire was, oh say, trying to pin him to a bed with a sexual lust in his eyes. But surely that was an impracticality. Shaking his head clear of distracting thoughts, the vampire lord stalked about the cluster of trees shadowing his figure while his eyes darted to the hiding places of his five companions, each motionless as they waited for his command. They circled around the suspected quarters of their enemy, whose hiding place was rather obvious to even the naked eye. A steel door in the middle of the forest? How perfectly inconspicuous. At least our civilization is hidden with taste.

Setsuya began the countdown, readying himself to pounce. Three… He deeply inhaled the air, the humidity being the only contributor to his smell. Two… He grasped his cloak between his fingers, the excitement of a challenge taunting him. One… Before he could give the signal, two hands clasped around his shoulders and jerked him around, forcing up against the tree. "You!" was all he had time to hiss before a cloth gag was tied tightly around his mouth and a blindfold around his eyes, shielding his captor's triumphant smile from his sight. Chains colder than his very skin were wrapped tight around his torso, clinching his arms to his body. He struggled viciously against his shackles, panicking as the restraints were tightened around him. The feeling was much too familiar. He bit at his gag desperately, willing to beg to go quietly if the chains would only be removed. Finally, the vampire froze when he heard the rustling and struggling of his companions. No, no, no! I led us all into a trap! How did they know? Why couldn't we sense them?

The grasp on his shoulders, gentle but firm, guided him toward the very area they had been prepared to ambush. His captor chuckled softly into his ear as he pushed the terrified vampire forward, who could not put up a fight knowing his entire party had been captured. Agni, the chains… Please, take the chains off.

"Oh, my lovely tiger. Your experience has failed you, Setsuya love," the man whispered, causing Setsuya to growl behind his gag. "Even the most experienced of men shall fail when confronted with their fears. It's valiant of you, protecting that which we've all come to hate. Unfortunately, your valiance proves only to hinder me."

xXxBloodlustxXx

Zuko's fisted hand lingered inches away from the doorway, uninvited sweat dripping down his neck as he mentally debated the situation. He couldn't explain the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach, which he justified by forming on-the-spot excuses. Maybe this is a bad idea. I don't even know the guy! I can't sustain a conversation with myself, let alone someone who's practically a mute. I'm hardly dressed to meet up with anyone and my hair is just- The door opened an inch while he was still deliberating, revealing a single murky orange eyes staring back at him from the dim depths of the room. Zuko's mouth dropped open, embarrassed at having been caught frozen at the boy's door. "Erm…" Lovely start. "Um, hello. K-Khai, right? I'm-" He was cut off as the door opened to its fullest extent, revealing a young vampire who appeared as though he desired to crawl back behind the door again.

Zuko, in turn, was forced to bite down on his cheek in order to suppress a gasp. This teenager was beautiful, but not in the way that Setsuya or Ryuichi were beautiful. His body was full of… of… Color. The blended grey shades of his skin, the dark purple of his lips, the blue of his eyelids, and the shimmering silver of his hair. He was dressed in Fire Nation finery, fitting his thin and seemingly delicate figure tightly, flaunting his beauty. This boy- "Will you let me paint you?" The words escaped his lips before he had time to bite his tongue, causing the human to blush deeply at his relentless stupidity. Khai merely stared at him, expression unchanging save for a twitch of the eyebrow. "Right, then. Sorry to bother you." Zuko pivoted his position with every intention of walking in the opposite direction as quickly as he possibly could, only to be stopped by the firm grasp of another's hand around his.

Zuko bit his lip and tried to calm the blood rushing to his cheeks. He glanced behind his shoulder to see Khai staring at him silently, his eyes hesitant but his composure retained. For someone who's so unsure of himself, he has quite the grip. Khai led him into the room and shut the door, locking it for good measure. Glancing almost untrustingly at Zuko, he led the boy to sit down on the couch. Khai brushed his fingers though his silver hair that covered his left eye, seating himself beside the other against the arm of the couch, his legs tucked against his chest and his arms encompassing them. Zuko began to fiddle with his hands in his lap, able to meet the other's gaze only for a brief moment or two before falling back to the floor. After a full minute of silence, Zuko's blood pressure had risen a few notches and his mind was racing. Start a conversation, anything! Quickly, before he finally gets sick of you and drinks your blood! The boy's soft eyes were focused directly on him, he could feel it!

"I'm an artist," Zuko finally said, his voice almost failing him. He winced, quick to explain, "Pertaining to that silly question earlier. I'm sorry, but- when I see someone of your… stature," he spoke carefully, "I can't help but receive inspiration. Please forgive my outburst." His fingernails just about dug a hole in his robes as he waited for Khai to respond, but to his misfortune, the vampire did not so much as grace him with a yawn. Starting to feel a tad bit uncomfortable, the teenager continued, "My name is Zuko, by the way. Um, I hope I haven't inconvenienced you by dropping in like… this?" The boy was, literally, as still as a statue. His embarrassment lingered, driven by his inability to capture the other into conversation. Finally, he decided the best step toward any response would be to corner the boy- ask him a question. "So, how old are you exactly?" That wasn't out of boundaries, was it? Of course not.

He waited ten long, painful seconds before the vampire finally whispered out in a soft voice, "Fourteen. Fifteen next month." The words were spoken with such minimum movement, that Khai might have retained his statue-like masquerade easily to the untrained eye.

"Ah!" Zuko's relief overwhelmed any hesitations that he had, and immediately launched into further questioning. "Not really a conversationalist, are you?" Watching the boy shake his head, he nodded. "Neither am I. I find art a much better method of dealing with expression. Do you have any hobbies?"

At this statement, Zuko received a very bizarre look that might suggest that the human had lost the majority of his marbles. "I'm a vampire," Khai explained, as though this accounted for his lack of hobbies. At an expectant eyebrow, he reluctantly added, "A talentless vampire."

Talk about low self-esteem. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy doing." Zuko assured him, mustering up as pleasant a smile as he could. Regardless of the boy's quiet tendencies, he couldn't very well be rude. While Khai was difficult to communicate with, he was easy to talk to. "Every vampire eventually does, or so I've heard."

"And you? What does a mortal find to do?" Khai asked shyly, almost swallowing the as he broke eye contact with the human. The vampire fiddled nervously with his fingers, his left foot tapping in a nervous rhythm.

"I-I paint mostly," Zuko stammered, watching the other's eyes narrow just slightly at his admittance. Good Spirits, he spoke unprovoked! "I read a bit, and I can usually find someone to talk to. There are some pretty interesting characters down here."

The boy's expression softened a bit as he spoke, "Like Setsuya?"

Zuko's heart made a leap in his chest hearing the other boy speak his soul mate's name. It was almost… resentful? Defensively, he said, "Yes. Especially Setsuya."

Khai nodded absently, his eyes meeting the other's once again. "I've heard a lot about you from the other vampires. They talk about you sometimes, when Setsuya isn't around. Are you his lover?"

Zuko was almost too caught up in 'they talk about you sometimes' to hear the question The vampires talk about me?! And what do they say about me that they can't say in front of Setsuya?! Slowly, he came to shaky terms with what Khai was asking. "Y-You shouldn't listen to everything you hear," Zuko scolded him, his hands shaking slightly from nerves. If Zuko was Setsuya's lover, it certainly wasn't any of his business. He decided that nothing more than an understatement would be sufficient. "Setsuya and I are friends. Besides, he's much too old for me." He smiled at his little joke, knowing he'd probably get a mouthful from Setsuya if the vampire lord had learned he'd made a jab at his age.

"But you're," Khai leaned in as though ready to tell a dark secret, his eyes searching as he said, "mortal. And you sleep in his bed, no less. Begging your pardon but, if you're not his lover and he doesn't plan to drink from you…" The boy shivered. "What else are you here for?"

"I-" Zuko froze, unable to form his words correctly. Talk about nosy neighbors. "I-I… Setsuya needs someone to talk to. I'm his own personal outlet. We have a unique bond." Zuko's eyes flickered and he tensed at his choice of words. His tone set a mood that would sternly prevent Khai from asking how he came to meet Setsuya.

"But aren't you afraid?" Khai asked wondrously, setting his arm atop the back surface of the couch and resting his head on it. "You're surrounded by vampires here. It seems like an awfully big risk to take. You could very well end up like me." He glanced with regret at the human, who squirmed uncomfortably at his cool, curious stare.

"Yes, well… Being a friend of Setsuya's does give me a certain amount of protection." This boy was starting to really make him feel uncomfortable. Ryuichi owes me for this.

"But for the taste of human blood-" Khai reached up, the hesitation in his eyes momentarily banished, as he stroked the right side of the boy's throat. "I could have your blood, right here and right now. Any member of the population could have you. Setsuya himself could have you. Where does your sense of security come from, I wonder?" Khai's bared incisors made Zuko, as politely as he could, catch the young man's hand in mid air and tighten his grip around it.

He must be testing me. Setsuya said he's afraid of blood. His tone turned cold as he spoke, "As strange as it is, I've come to trust Setsuya and I've met few people who are willing to do me harm. Should anyone give me a reason to doubt them, I can easily return the favor." With these words, Zuko snapped his fingers to produce a small flame in midair, extinguishing it as Khai's hand immediately returned to his side.

The vampire stared almost fearfully at the boy, clearing his throat before speaking, "Ah. A wise defense mechanism. But you do realize that even firebending cannot protect you from the inevitable?" Khai leaned forward, the orange of his eyes darkening as he whispered, "I admire you for your bravery, Zuko." The tone was soft, but almost mocking, causing the other's heart to sink deep into his stomach.

"Pardon?" The teenager unconsciously scooted towards the other side of the couch, only to realize he was in danger of falling backward onto the floor. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"Surely you can't expect Setsuya to stand by you when you're… well, worn out." Khai edged toward the teenager with a sympathetic expression, one that made Zuko's blood run cold. "Setsuya is a beautiful creature, one whose interests come and fade like any normal being. He can't possibly still find appeal in you when he tires of you, or worse, when you've grown old." He chuckled, running a hand through his hair thoughtfully as Zuko sat frozen in horror. "Of course you are very attractive. But it won't always be that way, will it? Setsuya's faith can only stretch as long as he finds you worthy of it. I'm sure the moment your body surpasses his in age… When the curves of your body are diminished and the youthful sparkle in your eyes is gone. When you become rough instead of gentle, someone he can't dominate over any longer. Where will his love be then, Zuko? It is so courageous of you to stay beside Setsuya when you know one day you'll have to watch him walk away from you."

Zuko's voice was yielding and broken like the tears threatening to form at the corners of his eyes. "I-I could have sworn that I told you that Setsuya and I are just-"

"Or perhaps you're being selfish? Have you not thought of what will happen when Setsuya falls desperately in love with you only to be heartbroken when you die? You are a mortal, Zuko. Whichever way you slice the cake, the flavor remains the same. You've given no thought to what will happen if you were to die in a month, tomorrow, this very moment." The vampire lunged toward him, taking his face delicately into his hands and whispering, "Do you mean to be turned into a vampire by that time? Would you sacrifice your mortality to stay beside Setsuya for the rest of eternity?" The boy laughed, tracing Zuko's rapid pulse with a single finger. "Of course, what is there to sacrifice, I wonder? Death is no friendly asset to anyone. Why should we accept it as an inevitability?" He bared his incisors and lowered his head, kissing Zuko's neck desperately, humming as he sucked on the pale throat without making so much as an indentation in the skin.

"Wait," Zuko murmured, as his eyes clouded over in a daze, no longer aware of the vampire threatening to murder him or the very bond that held him to Setsuya. For a moment, he felt so incredibly light in his heart… No pain, no fear, no anger, no desperation. His hands wrapped gently around the vampire's head, cradling him as he continued his ministrations to Zuko's neck. The mortal moaned at the sensation, running his hands through Khai's hair, while the vampire's hands slowly tightened around his throat. "Yes," he whispered and then moaned, "Yes." This was what he wanted. Khai was right. Why should he suffer at the hands of death when he could have an eternity, youthful and as beautiful as the other vampires? Of course. How simpler could it have possibly been? How blind he was to have let this opportunity slip past him so many times! His bond would hold him to the earth as a vampire, his bond with… with…

"Setsuya." The word that emerged from Zuko's lips immediately broke Khai's spell on him, and he pushed the advancing vampire away from him with a cry. He automatically raised his hand to his neck, relieved to find no puncture wounds he would have to explain later. I'm okay. I'm okay. "Stay away from me!" Furious, Zuko leapt up and dashed to the door, throwing it open with a shaky hand. Khai had put him into a trance! But Setsuya had said that was impossible, that vampires didn't have that power… Hadn't he?

Khai's face turned from shock to regret, as he held up his palms in surrender and stepped toward the teenager. His movements were slow and steady, as though any immediate movements would drive the other away. "I'm sorry, Zuko," he said, his voice laced with strained calm. "I was out of line. I was trying to scare you into letting me drink from you. I haven't fed for so long you understand-"

"Oh, I understand," Zuko hissed poisonously, backing into the hallway with a leer plastered on his face. "If you ever come near me or Setsuya again, you'll regret it!" He slammed the door for good measure, watching Khai's face turn sullen at his retreat. That ought to show him, the son of a bitch. Was Ryuichi aware that he'd just sent Zuko down to visit some bloodlusty, crazed maniac? It was time to give the vampire a piece of his mind. He brushed past the few people in the hall, all staring at him in amazement for his unexpected outburst. Before he could make it halfway down the corridor, Zuko felt a tug at his bond and he was forced to cast away his anger, fear, and confusion in order to attend to Setsuya.

Setsuya shivered, blinded and constricted by his restraints. His emotions were so muddled, he couldn't tell his own from the vague aura he sensed from Zuko. Wait! Zuko! If he could mentally contact Zuko, the teenager could send for aid! But it would require them both to be at inner peace and obtain complete concentration to focus their energy through their unripe bond. Slowly he began to calm, acknowledging his emotions and allowing them to pass. He called out for his soul mate to do the same, grateful he had given the prince a little practice with their bond earlier. He focused, channeling the words through to Zuko's mind. It took him a few moments to concentrate his willpower to do so, but the results were incredible.

We need help. The words were as clear as a bell ringing in Zuko's mind, as though Setsuya had been right beside him whispering the words into his ear. Please, send for help. He was stunned, positively stunned by what had just transpired. Setsuya had spoken to him through their bond, like telepathy! Their mental connection was either much stronger than the two of them realized, or Setsuya was in a state of desperation. Zuko opted for a mix of the two. He wanted to reply properly, but the words had ignited so many sensations in the pit of his stomach that he didn't dare take the time to sort himself out. He sent a quick affirmation using two of his strongest sentiments: fear and concern.

Zuko began to physically shake, wrapping his arms around himself as he tried to shuffle through his thoughts. Setsuya and the others were in trouble, and only Agni knew what sort of trouble! He had to find someone and tell them! But who would believe him? His mind singled out the only person Setsuya had admitted to having suspicions about their bond. Akane.

xXxBloodlustxXx

Ryuichi waited until Zuko had raced down the corridor and out of sight before he slid into the room and confronted Khai, who sat staring dully at the ground below. "I heard everything!" Ryuichi hissed, stepping forward and jerking the boy to the floor. "What were you thinking?! You're way out of line, you little punk!"

"Get your slimy hands off of me!" Khai hissed, slapping the man's hands away before pacing the length of the room. "I'm only doing what Master told me to do!"

"You're supposed to gather information, not tempt him with the fucking powers of darkness like some evil overlord!" Ryuichi cursed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "And lower your voice, for heaven's sake. You're so stupid!"

"I was frustrated! He was telling me lies!" Khai rolled his eyes, trying to avoid the older's furious stare. He hated it when Ryuichi treated him like a child.

"That's because you came on too strong! One conversation, one! And you've already lost his trust. You have to ease him into it! You turned everything back onto him! He was scared, and you could've lost control and killed him!"

"Please," Khai snorted, finally swinging onto the couch and glaring up at the man. "What do you care? He'll end up dead anyway. I thought I'd save our Lord the trouble of-"

"Our Lord wants him alive for now. Divine blood or not, Setsuya loves him. Dead at this point? He'd be useless to us. Besides, there's no guarantee that he'd be tied back to this world and return-"

"He's a soul mate to Setsuya! You said so yourself!"

"It's only a suspicion. I have my doubts." Ryuichi looked away, trying to calm his rage. Khai knew when he was lying, but that boy just made him so mad! "Look, I know what you're trying to do. You want to earn our Lord's favor. But you're sacrificing our objective for it! You can be Master's pet all you want, but do not put Zuko in immediate danger under such uncertain circumstances. If you'd killed him and he hadn't returned, Master would have tied you to a stake and set fire to you."

Khai finally relented with a sigh, a bored expression passing over his face. "As you wish. I suppose we've gathered the information we needed. But you know I've only made our job easier by giving that mortal something to think about." When Ryuichi didn't respond he continued, utterly self-satisfied. "You're right, I shouldn't be so anxious. I'm not the one who will have to take his life in time. That honor belongs to you."

"How do you figure?" Ryuichi asked slowly, regretting the words as he turned his back towards the teenager to hide his uneasy expression.

"Zuko trusts you, Ryuichi. And our Lord, as sickening as it is, trusts your judgment. Who better than to lure him to our side than someone who's held him as Setsuya has? He shows no discomfort with physical and emotional contact with you. We need him to accept our offer, or he'll be useless to us even as a vampire! You know what Master will want you to do."

"Your mind tricks don't work on me," Ryuichi said coldly, refusing to turn and face the triumphant teenager. Man, this kid bugs me. "Go take a bath. If you go around smelling like dead humans all the time, you'll blow the whole hemophobia gag. I knew you were too impulsive to pull this off."

"I gained Setsuya's sympathy. That's all I needed."

"And you just gained the resentment of Setsuya's little lover. We'll see who wins him over."

xXxBloodlustxXx

The instant Akane understood what Zuko was trying to communicate through his stammering and ramblings, she called upon the council members swiftly, much to the teenager's relief. It took only moments for the vampires of Setsuya's council to arrive, gathering in the central plaza as Zuko hid behind Rohan's muscular figure in order to avoid being seen. They could all smell his presence, but it was nice not being seen by them. They're going to think I'm crazy and lock me up! Setsuya… What's happened to you? After minutes of quiet deliberating amongst themselves the fifteen vampires decided that, although they did not have physical proof of the commission's dilemma, they would not take their chances by dismissing it. Unfortunately, Zuko's inadequate lie roused up a bit of suspicion, but it was better than admitting to a metaphysical truth that no one in the room except Akane probably believed in.

"Setsuya's been, erm, sending me letters by a messenger hawk! One every day! But today the hawk came back with a torn piece of parchment stained with, uh, blood, and singed along the sides. That's the national way of signaling distress, you see. Well, Setsuya's been sending me very vivid descriptions of their location with each letter! I'm sure I can track them down with those alone!"

After only a few objections, the ultimate forethought (encouraged by Akane and Rohan) was that if Setsuya trusted Zuko, the council could as well. Ryuichi slipped into the room in the middle of the discussion and began inquiring about the situation to Rohan, who told him in a description that was rather brief in relation to his habits. Ryuichi and Akane, being the closest advisors to Setsuya outside of the council, demanded to accompany the commission while Rohan claimed that if his wife was going and Setsuya was in danger, he would have to be chained down not to follow. One party, consisting of Zuko, Akane, Ryuichi and three council members would lead the way by Zuko's direction while a party consisting of five other council and Rohan would follow a half a mile behind. The second half of the party would individually station themselves along the way, so they could still react quickly and watch over the population if needed. The teenager could not deny that he was very pleased with how quickly the council had deliberated. It seemed that Setsuya was so greatly loved, lengthy deliberation could be easily abandoned in order to save him and their fellow vampires.

"You have to take charge," Rohan murmured to him as he passed by, patting the teenager on the back. "Don't be afraid to lead them. They have faith in you."

I pray that they have reason to. Zuko nodded gratefully, before turning to Akane. "Can you show me to the forest entrance? I can guide us from there."

The woman nodded, solemn as she asked, "How fast can you run?"

"Fast enough," Ryuichi intervened, his brow tinged with sweat and sickly in demeanor. "He can keep up with us at any pace, but we have to keep his mortal stamina in mind." All of the vampires seemed to look upon Zuko with an amount of respect after this, as the teenager touched a thankful hand to his friend's forearm.

"Right, then. Let's go."

True to Ryuichi's word, Zuko kept pace alongside the vampires with no trouble, even challenging a few of them to keep up with him. Breathing, feeling, and thinking were all second in the teenager's mind. All he could focus on, despite the fire in his lungs and the ache of his legs, was reaching Setsuya. He kept their bond in close regard, guided by their connection and the mental pictures his soul mate occasionally sent him regarding places of familiarity. The trees had begun to thin out, but were plentiful enough to provide them a decent cover. It had begun to drizzle lightly, the rain soaking through their clothes as they ran through the forest with determination outweighing their fear. After two hours, Zuko finally slowed causing the vampires around him to come to an abrupt stop.

"What's the matter, dear? Are you tired?" one of the councilwomen asked sympathetically, as Ryuichi put a cool, comforting hand on the teenager's neck.

"We-We're-" Zuko coughed, rubbing a hand against his forehead as the pain began to sink into his body. "Getting close," he finished, gratefully accepting the water that Akane had been thoughtful enough to bring.

"Really?" Ryuichi asked hesitantly, casting the teenager a troubled glance. "I can't smell him. I don't smell anyone."

"He's here!" Zuko insisted, catching his uneven breath as the travel began to take a toll on his body. "I know he is. We'll wait for the rest of the group." His comrade shrugged, casting a glance at Akane, who also seemed uneasy, but determined to listen to Zuko. The others continued to pace around the forested plain, sniffing about the area warily. The teenager ignored them, his heart pounding madly at sensing Setsuya so close to him.

"What's wrong?" was the first question pondered upon the other's arrival, questioned by a vampire of Earth Kingdom robes. His eyes darted about the anxious faces, finally settling on Zuko.

The teenager stood, not realizing he had settled to the ground in his exhaustion. He ignored the dizziness of his head as he explained, "We're close." The vampires all glanced at each other bewilderedly, most shaking their heads in annoyance.

"Surely he's led us into a trap! There's nobody here but us!" one man barked, which Ryuichi quickly identified as the one who'd spoken up at Setsuya's council meeting while calling Zuko "nothing but trouble". He was about to tell the man where he could shove his words, when another quickly interrupted.

"Well, if you'd take a moment to think about it, I can't smell any of you."

The vampires took the moment to begin inhaling deeply into the air, which Zuko found a tad bit awkward, being unable to smell anything but the general forest-fresh smell. Come to think about it, even that had faded a while ago…

"This is the problem!" Rohan exclaimed, moving towards a mossy rock and picking a small flower wound around it. He glanced around, coming to realize that the vines of the flower inhabited the entire area in gross proportions. "This is an arctic flower, native to the North Pole tundra! It's odorless, but it can dim anyone's sense of smell."

"But what's it doing here?" Akane asked wondrously, holding one of the flowers between her fingertips.

"Someone planted it on purpose," Ryuichi offered, staring at the sky with deliberation. "Look, it's choking out the rest of the foliage. It must be how Setsuya and the others were ambushed. It's a pity they didn't count on us having Zuko here. Lead the way."

The teenager nodded, relying on the strength of Setsuya's aura to guide him. He crept along slowly, while Ryuichi stood by his side for protection. Finally, the group reached - "A giant steel door. How inconspicuous." Zuko rolled his eyes, shivering as the rain began to fall much more heavily on the group. The door was lodged into a mound of rock that obviously led downward beneath the earth.

"I think it's classy," Rohan protested as he stepped forward and yanked on the door, scratching his neck sheepishly. "It's locked."

"Oh, Rohan! Honestly." Akane pressed him aside and launched a kick at the door, sending it flying off of its hinges and plunging into the darkness of the pitch-black quarters. A loud crash was heard as the door went tumbling down the stairs descending beneath the ground. Zuko leapt back in surprise, bumping into a chuckling Ryuichi.

"That was pretty good, even for one of us," his friend remarked, nudging Rohan with a wink.

Rohan stared wide-eyed at her for several silent seconds, before taking her hands in his and saying rather loudly, "Spirits, I love you."

"Yeah, yeah. Move it lovebirds," Ryuichi muttered, pushing his way through the two followed by the awestricken teenager. "I'll go first. Stay close to me, Zuko. You might want to light a fire. I only see two rooms that the corridor could lead to, but the stairs are fairly lengthy." With these words he began slowly down the stairs, followed by Zuko, who was suddenly cursing his own two feet.

Why is it that I'm the only one who makes any sound when I move?! These guys aren't immortal, they're ghosts!

The dark earthen walls were nothing like the ones back at home; they were poorly supported and molded carelessly. Zuko shivered, wondering if Setsuya could sense his presence. The small flame in his hand caused the shadows to flicker in unpleasant ways, forcing him to diminish the thing altogether. "Which door?" Ryuichi whispered, as they reached the end of the stairwell, two more steel doors on opposite sides of the niche.

"Left," Zuko affirmed, as he felt the tension grow while the vampires prepared to pounce. The moment that the door creaked open, they sprinted into the room lit by a single, dim chandelier that illuminated the scene weakly. The room was small, the only entities within it being the prisoners it contained. The teenager gasped, recognizing the six beautiful creatures they'd been searching for chained, blindfolded, and gagged a few feet away from each other. Never could he have thought of these graceful beings in such a state! Shaking himself out of his stupor, he dashed toward Setsuya, whose gag was already being removed by Ryuichi.

"The chains, Ryuichi," Setsuya barely whispered, his voice ragged and his body shaking. "Please, get them off of me." The younger vampire groaned, motioning to Zuko as he untied the blindfold hastily. The teenager nodded, grasping the restraints around his mate and quickly melted them free, his adrenaline powering up his firebending a thousand fold. He tried to embrace the liberated man, shocked to find Setsuya shirk away from him. His chest suddenly ached more than he was willing to admit, sensing his vampire mate trying to block him from his mind and heart.

"It was the chains," Ryuichi murmured into the boy's ear, setting a careful hand on Setsuya's trembling shoulder. "He doesn't do well in chains." Zuko, though reluctant to leave his counterpart in such a condition, went around to each of the bound vampires and released them from their constraints. Immediately the room filled with excited speech, although Zuko would hear none of it. He kneeled once again beside the silent Setsuya, watching Ryuichi gently coach him back into the correct state of mind.

"It's alright, my Lord. Everyone's alright, see? Nobody here but us. You're fine, you're just fine. Zuko helped us find you, and no one's going to hurt us."

Setsuya slowly nodded, bringing a hand to his head as the others began to gather around him. Gaining his composure with the help of Zuko's hand holding his own, he stood and addressed the group quietly, "Our suspicions have been confirmed. We were ambushed by a group of vampires under the direction of Ravindra." There were a few gasps and murmurs at the name, and most of the council members appeared to understand exactly who this Ravindra was. Zuko cast a glance at Ryuichi, who shrugged, as did Akane. "He's the one who's been creating the upsurge of new vampires in order to gain support. He must have abandoned Khai in the forest, suspecting that he was not capable of transformation."

"Is he killing humans at random?" someone asked, a hint of disgust in their voice. "Or is he plotting who he chooses?"

"Plotting," Setsuya confirmed, instinctively wrapping an arm around Zuko, who merely sighed with relief and rested his head against his mate's side. "The three bodies that he abandoned and fell into our hands all became vampires. He's feeding from those he's certain can withstand the transformation. We don't know what he's planning, but he's too dangerous to be left to his work. He'll go undercover now that he knows we're tracking him."

"Which means he won't be returning here?" Rohan asked, fury evident in his eyes. It was obvious he favored the unspoken plan, 'Stay here and kick the crap out of the guy when he returns'.

Setsuya shook his head, suddenly distracted by the teenager at his side. "N-No. We should go home to recuperate. Spirits know where they've gone." With these words, the cluster slowly began towards the door, talking amongst themselves. Setsuya, however, turned to face his soul mate with eyes filled with suppressed, unshed tears. "I knew you'd hear me. I knew you'd come."

"Of course I-" Zuko was silenced by a fervent pair of lips on his own, kissing him passionately with little reserve. Their hands traveled the path of each other's bodies, the teenager blushing as Setsuya's palms brushed against locations of his figure the vampire was now quite familiar with. He heard Ryuichi cough, and he glanced around his mate's form to receive a meaningful look. Zuko smiled, reaching up to wrap his arms around Setsuya's neck. Standing on his toes, he gave the man a kiss on the left side of his throat and whispered into his ear, "I missed you so much."

xXxBloodlustxXx

Ryuichi pulled his cloak over his head, his eyes scouring the area as he approached the abandoned coastline shack with reluctance. The moon was feeble that night, providing him the coverage he needed. He sighed with relief when he saw the one whom he was searching out. "I thought you weren't going to come, Ryuichi," a soft voice rang out from the figure seated on the crooked railing of the establishment. He jumped to the sandy shore, remaining in the shadows of the building.

"What? No opening hymns? No lyrical sayings?" Ryuichi scoffed, his trained body refraining from taking a step back as the man stepped toward him.

"I know you don't like it when I'm indirect with you."

"That's funny. I can't remember the last time you cared about what I like." Ryuichi sighed, inhaling the smell of the ocean waters with a longing. Oh, how he wished the seas would just wash him away. Why was he here? Why had he come? He was no more of a fool than the rest of them…

"Don't be that way," the man whispered in mock exasperation, offering out a pale hand to Ryuichi. "I heard that Setsuya made you a councilman today. I'm very proud of you. I'm glad you two kissed and made up. It'll make everything a thousand times easier."

"I'll never forgive him," he hissed, taking the hand of his master. "Not as long as I live." Ryuichi tried not to shudder at the feeling of his hair being stroked or his body being explored.

"That'll be quite a while."

"Decidedly so."

"And how is Khai performing?" He began taking a liking to Ryuichi's throat, sucking gently on the ridge between his neck and shoulder.

"Well, he almost killed Zuko and blew our cover in one sitting," the vampire muttered bitterly, settling his hands on the hips of the man. He pretended to ignore the gentle bite to his neck that made him shiver. "Out of all of the ones you've killed, he has to be the most impulsive and idiotic. Your taste is faltering."

"My taste is perfectly fine," he explained, unhooking Ryuichi's cloak and watching it fall to the ground in fascination. "It's the boy who needs fine-tuning. He has my spirit." Off with the clothes, on with the routine. "Ryuichi? Have you ever been taken in the sand?"

"I can't say that I have."

"Ah, we have much to cover then. Khai can be dealt with, I assure you. I couldn't help but notice that mortal boy passed the test. I'm quite pleased."

"I can tell by the fact that I don't have to beg for forgiveness. Now what's this about a test?"

He rested his weight on Ryuichi's body, pushing him back into the sand before continuing the removal of his clothes. "You fed prior to coming didn't you? Yes. Well, I wanted to see for myself if the boy was a soul mate to Setsuya."

"So you created a situation under which Setsuya would have to contact Zuko through their bond."

"You catch on quickly, don't you?"

Ryuichi responded only with a series of soft moans, as the man descended upon his body and captured his length with his mouth, taking the time to thoroughly pleasure the younger vampire. "Y-You are in a good mood!" he hissed, keeping his arms obediently above his head as his master worked. He thrashed and moaned, knowing that the other would be pleased with the compliment.

"Promise me you'll coax Zuko onto our side, hmm? By the time the plan is set into motion?" The vampire rose, staring directly into his subordinate's eyes. "Promise me, and I'll fulfill my oath to you."

Ryuichi closed his eyes, resting his head on the soft sands of the shore. "Don't raise my hope. It's so fragile; I can't bear to watch you drop it."

"Have I ever let you down?"

After a moment of silence, Ryuichi raised his eyes and shook his head with sincerity.

"Never, Lord Ravindra."

Ryuichi spent the night listening to the waves lapping at the shore, wondering if the ocean was as gentle with the sands as Ravindra was with him.