Always (2/3)
Author: chouta_angel
Title: Always
Rating: M/Mature
Warnings: Violence, death, sex, emotional manipulation
Disclaimer: The author claims no ownership of anything in this story.
Summary: Yukimura's a vampire but how did that happen? And what events have happened to him?
Notes: I couldn't have done this without Fee. I'm sorry for all the teasers but the support you gave helped more than I think you realize. To my readers? See you next time~
Story 2 out of 5.
-~-
“Yukimura, I'll be home late.”
The vampire frowned at Renji's words. He'd been living with the human for more than a year now. Normally, if Renji was running late or something had happened, the man would give some sort of explanation. It might not always have been a long or detailed one but this message? It was even less than what Yukimura was used to. He didn't like it.
Pacing the length of the room, Yukimura did his best to keep from growling. His Renji was becoming so distant lately. For at least a month, this had been happening. In the beginning, Yukimura wrote it off as Renji just getting caught up in a particular project. That had happened before. Renji always explained, even if Yukimura didn't understand what the human was saying. And even if the project lasted more than a few weeks, Renji found some time for Yukimura in the middle of it.
Then again, there had never been a night like last night. The two of them had a routine that never changed. Renji went to school and studied during the day. His family supported the man, paying the bills and rent on the apartment. He thought Yukimura had graduated and Yukimura only helped this idea along. He'd told the human he worked at a lingerie store, a place Renji would never even think of having a reason to visit. It helped explain why Yukimura had money and why the human never saw the vampire during the day. In reality, Yukimura went to his own apartment across town and slept. Sometimes he fed. No need for Renji to know that.
And it worked for them. There was never change. When there was, the change was nice and easy, something they were both able to easily deal with. Last night...Renji had come home smelling of someone else. A stranger, not one of the classmates Yukimura had come to know. Even that wouldn't have been an issue if it weren't for the fact that Renji had tried to hide it. The man had showered before coming home. Only the lingering scent on his clothes and the nervous thoughts about Yukimura finding out betrayed Renji.
Restless, Yukimura decided to get out of the little apartment he shared with the human. Maybe if he'd fed, that would help him calm down. It wasn't something he was doing enough. Picking up a transient wasn't the easiest thing to do in the early pre-dawn hours. It was much easier to do so early in the night, when all he needed to do was offer a room for the night. In a way, the last year had been almost a starvation diet for him. Keeping up this act of being a human boy was far more time-consuming and exhausting than Yukimura had initially realized. Humans truly were a foreign creature at times. Yukimura wondered how he'd even been one. He knew there was simply no way he could handle being one at this point.
Leaving the apartment, Yukimura walked with no real purpose or direction. It was early in the night and it wasn't as if he needed to worry about his safety. Yukimura was the most dangerous creature of them all. When he found himself in front of his apartment building, he took it as a sign.
The place was quiet, as he knew it would be. The main room, the one Yukimura used every day for sleeping, was comforting and familiar. It was decorated perfectly, every painting chosen carefully and placed just so. He stopped in front of what was supposed to be the bedroom door. After moving into the apartment, Yukimura had never opened it since.
A layer of stress the vampire didn't even realize he'd been carrying around seemed to lift off his shoulders the moment he stepped inside. This room was home to everything that made Yukimura, well, himself. It was a collection of everything he'd managed to hold onto over the years. This place, really the apartment in general, had been practically abandoned since Renji. At best it wasn't much more than an oversized bedroom. A shame, Yukimura realized. Trying to live like a human, to constantly attempt to play house with Renji...it wasn't working. In the beginning it had but after a year, the novelty of the act was wearing off. Even worse, it felt wrong. Yukimura realized why, now that he looked around this room. He wasn't human. Renji was.
The solution was simple. Yukimura needed to turn Renji into a vampire. Once Yukimura did that, he would have the man to himself. There would be no lying, no secrets, no scents of others who could potentially turn into lovers. When he turned Renji, it would finally allow Yukimura to come clean about the truth. He would be able to possess the human fully without breaking Renji, of taking away what made Renji Renji.
He stopped in front of a painting. Rather, the frame of one. The actual painting, a portrait, was ruined. “This time,” Yukimura vowed, “I'll finally get what I deserve.”
The portrait didn't respond. It didn't have to. Even now, Yukimura could feel the missing eyes staring at him, through him. They were judging him. Yukimura growled, the urge to rid himself of the thing strong. Raising a hand, Yukimura was ready to finish ripping it to shreds.
But he couldn't. Instead, Yukimura traced a finger along the subject's jaw. It was the only part of the missing face that remained. “One day,” he went on, tone completely different now. His voice was soft, almost wistful as he promised, “I will restore you.”
Tonight was not going to be that night. Finding someone to feed on was. The search didn't take long. A boy, barely more than a child in all honesty, who had run away from home. He wasn't the sort of person who would be easily missed. It wasn't hard for Yukimura to lure the boy back to his lair. All it'd taken was the promise of some food, a shower, and a warm bed. He'd even been nice and given the boy all those things before feeding.
In the end, it was always the same. Finding the night's meal was never hard. It was always the clean up process that proved to be the most difficult. Then again, Yukimura had taken care of that problem by his choice of lair location. A large clump of trees grew behind the apartment building and on the other side of them was a train yard. Yes, it made for a rather noisy place but Yukimura was rarely around. Even when he was, he was dead to the world asleep. Train yards were beautiful places for body disposal. By the time anyone found the boy's body, it would be hundreds of miles away from Yukimura.
When Yukimura returned to the apartment he shared with Renji, he did feel better. That was up until he noticed a strange car parked in Renji's spot. The mysterious other? Yukimura wasn't sure if he wanted that to be the case. If Renji was bringing someone home...it was unheard of. In the last year since living with Yukimura, the human had never invited anyone over. Not even his parents had seen the place. This spelled trouble. This was someone Renji had a serious interest in. If he were an animal, Yukimura's hackles would have been raised in wary unease as he entered the apartment.
Renji and a stranger were sitting on the couch. The table in front of them was covered in papers and notebooks. A pen had rolled onto the floor at some point. The stranger was pointing at something in the book he was holding, Renji leaning over and nodding. They looked the perfect picture of students studying. Yukimura knew in that instant hated this newcomer.
“We have company.” Yukimura gave the stranger a dark look. The vampire stood in the doorway, watching the two humans. They hadn't even noticed him entering the room.
“Yukimura.” Renji looked up, giving the vampire that soft look that was his smile. “Sadaharu, my....roommate, Yukimura.” The paused before the word roommate did not go unnoticed by the vampire. He raised an unamused eyebrow. “This is an old friend of mine, Sadaharu Inui.”
“You're saying it backwards again,” Yukimura reminded as he stepped out of his shoes and into the small apartment. His nose told him that this human, this Inui, was the one. “Am I interrupting, Renji?” The coolness of his voice didn't seem to affect the humans.
At least, not physically. Renji's expression didn't change but it didn't need to. The human's mind was frantic with worry and guilt. It was more than enough to betray Renji. All of that was almost enough to make Yukimura smile. Instead, he crossed the room, taking a seat on the arm of the couch next to Renji. Doing that always annoyed the human but Yukimura was okay with that. The purpose was to throw Renji off. Knowing just how much Renji hated it, Yukimura reached over and started to pet his human's hair.
True enough, annoyed irritation took over the human's thoughts. It amused Yukimura to see the sheer level of irritation Renji could have but never show. Yukimura kept petting. “Renji, why didn't you tell me you were bringing someone home?”
“Is it a problem?” Renji asked. He was sitting ram-rod straight. Beside him, the other human sat silently. He was observing them but the man's glasses blocked Yukimura from seeing the man's eyes. Knowing his hold on Renji was secure even without attention, Yukimura relaxed his grip on the human's mind. Letting go, the vampire turned his focus onto Inui. He tried to enter. And when that didn't work, he tried again. Frowning, Yukimura put all his strength into it. Nothing happened.
Inui gave him a curious look. Yukimura smiled. “Are you staying long?” The vampire asked, turning on all the polite charm he could muster.
Why wasn't he able to enter the human's mind? Yukimura had never encountered someone so able to keep him out of their head before. Some humans had certainly been stronger, gifted with a natural resistance against Yukimura and his kind's ability to take control of minds. Even that had never been more than a bump for the vampire before. Entering heads and changing minds had always been a specialty of Yukimura's.
Inui turned to Renji. “Am I?”
When the human nodded, Yukimura froze internally. Having no luck with Inui, the vampire slid back into Renji's mind. He almost wished he hadn't. At that moment, Yukimura knew what he had to do. He gave Inui his friendliest smile, telling the man, “well then, Inui, it's been a pleasure but I'll leave you and Renji to your studies now.” Sliding off the arm of the couch, he leaned over peck Renji on the lips.
It didn't matter how much time Renji spent with his friend. After all, Inui Sadaharu was a dead man.
-~-
Seiichi could barely move. His everything hurt. Even though he'd just woken, he was already exhausted. Worst of all, his skin itched and all he wanted to do was scratch it. That took too much strength.
“Seiichi,” a familiar voice called. It sounded worried.
Gathering up all his strength, the boy opened his eyes. Wherever he was, the place was dark. It wasn't completely dark. There were a few candles lit somewhere in the room but nowhere in Seiichi's line of vision. He was on something soft, no doubt a bed. It felt familiar so it was probably his own. Turning his head a little to the side, Seiichi noticed Hajime curled up next to him. The boy was muttering something in their native tongue but Seiichi couldn't get his ears to cooperate.
Somehow Hajime knew. The boy looked strange to Seiichi's eyes but the older couldn't place just how. Seeing Seiichi awake, Hajime smiled. “Let me get Jean-Paul,” he said as he hurried out of the bed and room.
Moving wasn't an option for Seiichi. Just turning his head had sapped what little strength he had. It was hard to even breath. And still everything hurt. A stray thought popped into the boy's head. No. If...if Seiichi was stuck laying in this bed forever, no ability to move...No. He didn't want this. No art, no ability to see or create more. That was worse than death. Hot tears prickled his eyes. The boy blinked furiously, trying to get them to go away. Doing that only seemed to make them fall faster.
“My sweet.” The pain suddenly felt far away. It was still there but it was a dull throb that didn't take over every single thought.
Jean-Paul entered the boy's sight, taking a seat on the bed beside Seiichi. On the boy's other side, Hajime jumped onto the bed and curled up on Seiichi's other side. The Frenchman reached over, stroking Seiichi's cheek. “I've done what I can to help with your pain,” he explained. The vampire had to be doing something to help Seiichi understand because the boy still couldn't understand what Hajime was murmuring in his ear. “However, my sweet boy...”
The pained expression on Jean-Paul's face told Seiichi that whatever the man said next, he wasn't going to like. Hajime hugged his arm. Pain shot through Seiichi and he just wanted to scream but he couldn't because that required too much effort.
It was Hajime who ended up breaking the news. “Sei-nii, he's dead. 'Jandro.” It might have been spoken in Japanese but it was obvious to everyone in the room just what the boy had said.
“He attacked you,” the Frenchman explained after a few minutes had passed.
Seiichi immediately knew what they were referring to. That one last memory, the one full of pain and fire...yes, the events of that night were coming back to the boy. It was mostly a jumbled mess of darkness, fear, confusion, and pain.
Hajime helped Seiichi sit up. It took all of his willpower to not scream out at every touch. Hajime put an arm around Seiichi, to help the older boy stay sitting up. “There's more,” the youngest said, his voice full of what could only be called sorrow. He turned his little face at the vampire and gave the man a fierce look. It was such a strange thing to see on little Hajime's face.
Seiichi's stomach dropped. He knew he didn't what else there was but he knew he wouldn't like it. Beside him, the vampire sighed. “My sweet Sei, I'm sorry. You...I know I told you boys I'm unable to turn you until you both are much older, that it wasn't safe for either of you until you're adults. Oh my Sei,” the vampire brushed the hair out of Seiichi's face. “You're no longer human.”
What? Seiichi's eyes widened and he tried to croak out a question. How? Why? Was he really a vampire? That was amazing. It was all he'd ever wanted. He couldn't say anything though. His throat was dry, so painfully dry. Just trying to say anything made it feel like it'd crack open. This was far worse than any illness Seiichi had ever had. The bed shifted as Jean-Paul reached for something. Whatever the thing was, it was cool and wet on Seiichi's lips.
The liquid soaked into the rag soothed his throat. It was delicious and as he swallowed more, Seiichi's pains started fading away. This wasn't like when Jean-Paul had mentally dealt with the pain. This was a healing fade. A little strength started to return to the boy's limbs. The vampire took it away but Seiichi bit for it, trying to get more.
Jean-Paul chuckled. “A rag is not food, my sweet. But it is good, no?”
Seiichi nodded. “More.” He was finally able to say. His tone was so needy that it made the boy wince. Whatever it was, though, he wanted more. No, not wanted. He needed it.
“You're still not a vampire.” Jean-Paul stood, fluffing up the pillows Seiichi was sitting against.
“But he had to start changing you,” Hajime finished. “So you should be good. You won't go crazy.”
“We don't know about that,” Jean-Paul admitted, giving Hajime a look. “It was the best I could do. With my guidance, I will do the best I can to make sure you don't go feral.” He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on Seiichi's forehead. “Because, my sweet, for you I would do anything.”
-~-
Yukimura looked down at the boy curled up beside him in the tiny hospital bed. Akaya looked so sweet and angelic. Leaning down, Yukimura place a gentle kiss on the boy's lips. “One day,” he promised the sleeping human. It helped as a reminder to himself.
Unfortunately there was still the issue of the sun to deal with. If that caught him, Yukimura knew he was dead. It might have been the great source of life but the sun abhorred Yukimura's kind. They stole life and the sun was their ultimate punishment. To never feel that warmth, to never see the light of day. Those were just a few of the prices one had to pay for a life of eternal youth.
The door to the room, the one that was supposed to stay open but Yukimura always closed so they could have a little privacy, creaked open. A white-haired youth, no older than Akaya, stepped in. He was barely more than a couple of steps in when he caught sight of Yukimura and froze. The vampire smiled. “You must be Niou-kun,” he guessed. Akaya had mentioned his friends before, always supplying a mental image of each. “I'm Yukimura.”
The youth, Niou, finished stepping into the room. He went to close the door behind him but stopped, leaving it cracked open. A cautious look was on his face as he studied the two on the bed. “You're real,” he finally said, voice holding an air of disbelief. “We thought you were just some drugged up hallucination of Akaya's.”
“I'm as real as you or him,” Yukimura chuckled. “Sneaking in for a visit?”
“Prank,” Niou corrected. His gaze kept going to Yukimura's side, not the side with Akaya but the other one. Curious as to why, Yukimura reached to enter Niou's mind.
“What a great friend,” Yukimura continued the conversation in an attempt to keep Niou distracted.
Which the human was. His head was cocked to the side and he nodded. It was almost like he was listening to someone speak. That was impossible though. It just made for a strange scene and for a moment, the vampire wondered if there was something wrong with Niou's head.
Yukimura realized something. Niou's mind was unreadable. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get in to the boy's mind. There were no cracks to slip in. Only one other human had been this unreadable. Inui's face flashed into his mind for a brief moment.
Niou's expression changed. “What are you?”
“I think the better question is 'what are you?' You're not human, are you?” Yukimura put an arm around Akaya. Who, or what, ever Niou was wouldn't let Akaya come to harm. At least, not if Niou truly cared about the human. Niou bristled. Yukimura smiled. “As for me,” the vampire added, “I'm a friend of Akaya's.”
“And I'm his sempai,” Niou replied.
Yukimura nodded, keeping his gaze on the new youth. His eyes caught every little movement the human made. “So, you're a trickster,” the vampire assessed as he watched the...something start to do something.
“That's my nickname,” Niou admitted as he stared to do something with the television stand. Despite Niou not turning his back on the vampire, it was impossible to see just what he was doing. “There a reason you're here?”
“I was telling Akaya some stories.” Yukimura rested his cheek on against Akaya's. The boy had such soft skin and hair. His curls even had a nice fruity smell. It must have been that new shampoo Yukimura brought for the boy last week.
An image of Akaya stretched out on a bed, no casts or hospital tubes attached to him popped into Yukimura's head. It would be Yukimura's bed. Big and soft, with the red silk sheets. It would contrast beautiful with Akaya's pale skin.
The boy's clothes would be gone. Yukimura would have long gotten rid of those pesky things. All he would want to see was Akaya. Seeing the boy's creamy unmarked skin. The temptation would be too much. Yukimura nibbled at the boy's earlobe as his hands explored the boy's torso. His fingers would find the boy's muscle lines and would trace them. He was sure he would find a weak spot, one that his fingers would brush against that would make Akaya moan in pleasure.
Akaya's eyes would be needy with want as Yukimura started kissing his way down. Along the way, the vampire would nip at Akaya's skin. Each love bite would leave a beautiful pink mark that told the world the boy was Yukimura's. Not that anyone else would ever see any. Well, the ones on Akaya's neck were fair game but the one's he would leave on the boy's chest? Yukimura would kill anyone who saw those.
It would be impossible for Akaya to keep his hands to himself. He'd reach out, tentatively touching Yukimura's own skin. The look on his face would be a mix of excited and nervous. Pausing from where he'd been marking the spot over Akaya's heart, Yukimura would lean up to give the boy a kiss on the lips. He'd direct the boy's hands, showing Akaya where and how to touch. At first, Akaya would have no confidence but once he realized just how much Yukimura enjoyed it, the boy would throw his whole heart into pleasing Yukimura.
The vampire slid a hand lower. Brushing the boy's excited member, Yukimura would catch Akaya's eye and smile. Akaya would blush and mumble something but Yukimura wouldn't listen. His attention would be on the boy's pretty pink nipples. Taking one into his mouth, Yukimura would lick and suck at it until he had Akaya squirming underneath him. In all his squirming, Akaya would brush his cock against Yukimura's own. Feeling how hard the vampire was, the boy was gasp and buck his hips, wanting more.
Akaya's one nipple stood at attention but now the other was neglected. Yukimura turned his mouth onto the other one. He would direct Akaya's hands lower. The boy would blush but he wouldn't fight it. Yukimura would press his hips against Akaya's, closing the boy's hands around their cocks. “Do it, my pet,” Yukimura would order. Akaya was a teenager. He would know what to do.
At first, Akaya would give a few tentative tugs that normally would have just been painful and useless. But it was Akaya and they were touching which made it feel wonderful. The boy's thumb would run across the head of Yukimura and the vampire would moan. Need would drive Yukimura to want more. He would want to taste the human. Yukimura would finally go back to kissing his way down Akaya's torso.
Being a teenager, Akaya had a mess of curly black hair surrounding his cock but Yukimura wouldn't mind. He'd place a hand on the human's hips, holding them down so that the human wouldn't buck as Yukimura licked the head of the human's cock. Akaya would make noises that were somewhere between a squeak and a moan.
“Yeah, could you not do that?”
Yukimura scowled as Niou's voice ruined what had been the start of a lovely fantasy. Nuzzling Akaya, the vampire shot the prankster a dark look. “You could leave,” he suggested. He wasn't going to stop the human. Even if Yukimura wanted to, moving would be rather uncomfortable until he could take care of the boner that had appeared. So far Niou had proven himself to a big annoyance but nothing more. Now if Niou did much more, the vampire would have to do something.
“So could you,” Niou shot back. “But seriously, could you stop molesting my friend? It's disturbing.”
“Is it truly molesting him if he enjoys it?” Yukimura kissed Akaya on the neck. The boy's hands had moved in his sleep and one was even resting on Yukimura's thigh. It was incredibly tempting to move it a little more. The thought of Akaya touching him made Yukimura's cock twitch. Closing his eyes, Yukimura dived back into his fantasy.
Akaya's hands, rough with tennis calluses, would be everywhere now that he'd started to get over his shyness. Eventually they would find their way into Yukimura's hair. The vampire would still be licking the human's cock, treating it like it was the most delicious treat in the world. Akaya would moan and push down, trying to get Yukimura to swallow him entirely.
“Yeah, seriously, you need to stop that.”
Yukimura scowled. He opened his eyes, letting loose the full force of his glare at Niou. “Don't tell me you like him.” The mix of lust and jealousy in Yukimura's voice was evident even to himself. If that were the case with Niou that meant Yukimura really would have to take care of that particular human.
Niou stood up and laughed. Soft enough it didn't wake the human but loud enough that the meaning was clear. “Bakaya? He's more like a little brother. Which actually means I really, really would rather not see you doing that to him.”
The vampire kissed Akaya on the neck again, working his way up to the boy's earlobe. Gently nibbling on it, a shiver of pleasure went through Yukimura as he heard Akaya softly moan. Smirking at Niou, Yukimura shifted a little until Akaya's hand was resting on the vampire's crotch. “There's nothing wrong about love.”
“When it's creepy and one-sided like that, yeah, there's plenty wrong.” Niou looked like he was about to rip Akaya out of the vampire's arms. The strangest thing happened next. Niou's expression changed and he sighed. “Okay, here's the deal,” his tone completely changed. “I'm going to pretend I never saw you here and you're going to leave him alone from now on. Deal?”
Interesting. Yukimura turned his attention to Akaya's neck. In particular, that spot where the neck met the shoulders, right at the boy's collarbone. He kissed it, nipping and biting until the spot started to turn a lovely shade of pink just like Yukimura had imagined. Niou fidgeted, growing angrier by the second. Once the vampire was certain it would leave a mark, he reluctantly started to pull away from Akaya. His pet wasn't quite where Yukimura wanted him just yet and keeping Niou quiet would only help in the long run.
“Happy?” The vampire asked as he got out of bed.
“A little,” Niou admitted. He shouldered the bag he'd brought with.
Akaya looked so lonely on the bed now. Yukimura fought the urge to rejoin the boy, to let Akaya curl back up at his side. To be fair though, it really was almost time for the vampire to leave anywhere. He only had about an hour until sunrise.
“I bid you adieu,” Yukimura said with a bow as he sauntered past Niou. He blew a kiss at the white-haired human and left the room. As he did so, Yukimura could have sworn he'd heard Niou say “puri” or some other nonsense word.
-~-
Resting on the arm of the couch, Yukimura set his hand on top of Renji's. They were both reading, the room silent. It wasn't awkward but it wasn't the same easy one they were used to either. The only consolation were their choices in books. Yukimura was brushing up on his Italian. He'd never learned it like he had French, Spanish, and Portuguese but he knew enough of those three to make his job fairly simple. It had just been a long, long time since he'd regularly used any of them. Even better was Renji's choice of book. The man was reading up on Venice. Yukimura's insistence had finally won out and they were planning a trip to the city in the summer.
“Sadaharu has asked me to accompany him to a lecture in Boston.”
Yukimura's grip on Renji's hand tightened. A few minutes passed as the vampire waited for more. “Well?” He finally prompted.
“I'll be gone for a week next month,” Renji answered. He turned a page in his book.
“With Inui.”
Renji didn't reply right away. Instead, he just read. Once he reached the end of his chapter, the human carefully marked his spot and set the book on their table. He flexed his hand, trying to wiggle his fingers. “Jealous, Yukimura?”
The hand motion caught the vampire's eye and he let go of Renji. The man's fingertips had begun to turn a nasty shade of reddish-purple. “Should I be?”Yukimura already knew the answer to that but Renji didn't need to know that just yet.
Opening and closing his hand to help with the circulation, Renji didn't answer. In a way, his silence was his answer. Yukimura slid off the couch, his own book falling into the human's lap. “I see...”
“Yukimura...”
It was too late. The vampire had already started gathering some of his favorite art books, ones Renji knew were important to Yukimura. Renji's old backpack, the one that was practically falling apart, was sitting on the kitchen table they rarely used. This wasn't an attempt to leave, at least not for good. Yukimura just felt he needed to shake things up for Renji, to keep his human's thoughts focused on the vampire.
Staying silent, Yukimura continued to gather up what would appear to be the essentials. Renji moved the book on Italian off his lap. “We're friends.”
Yukimura could tell from Renji's tone that his silence was getting to the human. He struggled to keep a smirk off his face. Snapping the bag's clasp, Yukimura easily shouldered the heavy bag. He'd spend the next few days in his lair. Actually, this would be the perfect time to restore the portrait. He had all the supplies waiting at the place but the time just hadn't been there. It was a project that Yukimura knew would consume everything, not something he could attempt while playing house with Renji.
“At least tell me when you'll be back.” Oh, that slight pleading quality to Renji's voice was beautiful. This...this was exactly what Yukimura had wanted to hear. He had Renji wrapped around his fingers and it was tempting to stay but he knew his message would only hit hard if he actually did left.
“Don't change the lock,” the vampire ordered. Not that something as puny as a human lock could keep him out.
“Yukimura, if you do this, you might as well not return.” That tone. It was so deliciously full of strength that the vampire had to turn and face his human. And here Yukimura had thought his mind games had almost completely taken away Renji's ability to stand against him.
“Is that a threat?” Inui was a bad influence. Yukimura hadn't thought it possible to hate that meddlesome human more than he already did but for once Yukimura was wrong.
Renji crossed his arms. Despite his eyes being closed, Yukimura could feel the full strength of the man's gaze. “The truth. Ever since you met Sadaharu, you've been acting like a child.”
Had this human really just said that? Yukimura's only response was to slam the door behind him. The whole building seemed to shake. As he walked outside, Yukimura could feel Renji's gaze on him as the human watched from the window.
When he reached his lair, Yukimura gave a sigh of relief. Playing house with Renji had it's fun moments but Yukimura knew it would be far more satisfying once he rid them both of Inui. And then it would just be up to Yukimura to find the perfect moment to turn Renji though at the moment, Yukimura wasn't completely sold on the idea.
Staring at the ruined portrait, Yukimura could finally admit it. “He's not like you. No one will ever be like you.”
-~-
Seiichi couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he stood at the gate of the Sanada estate. It was the first time he'd felt this way since returning to Japan. The place was beautiful, even in the dark. Not in the way the European buildings had been. The beauty in those places lay in the intricate details. No, the clean simplicity here was what made the Sanada estate beautiful.
“Is there a reason you're here?” A strange voice asked from behind Seiichi. The vampire whipped around, surprised that someone had managed to sneak up behind him. That just didn't happen.
The most handsome man stood there. His face was blank but Seiichi could see the emotions that were bubbling under the surface. In that instant, Seiichi knew.
“Well?” The man prompted.
“I...” All the words left Seiichi's head as he looked at this man. Perfection. That's what this man was. He was physically the most perfect example of what a human man should look and exemplify. Seiichi had to have him.
The soft sound of footsteps distracted the vampire. He turned and found himself looking at Seiko, that woman he'd met his first night in Japan. The look of surprise on her face mirrored Seiichi's own. “A-ano,” she started, her voice full of confusion.
The man behind Seiichi sighed and walked past the vampire. Standing next to the woman, he repeated his earlier words. “Is there a reason you're here?”
Finally able to find his voice, Seiichi explained. “I was asked here by the master of the house. I've been commissioned for a portrait.”
The man's expression didn't change but there was a definite shift in the air. Seiko seemed to gain a little confidence at the vampire's words. She gave a little bow, turning to the man beside her. “Does young master Sanada wish to accompany our visitor to Master Sanada's rooms?”
The man, Sanada apparently, thought about it for a moment before giving a curt nod. Seiko looked relieved and in the blink of an eye, seemed to vanish. It was impressive even to the vampire. One minute she was there, the next she wasn't. Seiichi wasn't going to complain though because that meant he was now alone with the human male. It was amazing how, for the first time in centuries, Seiichi couldn't think of a single thing to say.
“Seiichi.” It was the one word that actually popped into his head. “My name,” the vampire explained to try and make this less awkward. “Just in case you were wondering.”
He watched the corners of the man's mouth twitch in what was hopefully amusement. “Sanada Genichirou.”
Shiver went down Seiichi's back. There was power in that name. Despite knowing he was far stronger, older, and more powerful than this human, Seiichi couldn't help but feel weak next to him. What surprised Seiichi was how much it didn't bother him.
The estate was just as beautiful inside as it was outside. An air of tranquility filled the place. It was all so very Japanese in a way that made Seiichi remember the earliest parts of his childhood. That place had been similar to this one. It wasn't the same, the location of Seiichi's first home now someone else's home.
Focusing his attention on the human, Seiichi wondered if this was love at first sight. He'd never experienced anything similar to this but he knew he had to have this human. It would happen, even if it was the last thing one of them would do. This Sanada Genichirou was quickly turning Seiichi into a believer of love, both at first sight and true. The vampire followed closely behind, only pausing once they reached the entrance into the actual, physical dwelling.
Sanada turned to look at him. “Are you waiting for an invitation?”
That voice. So warm and strong. It made Seiichi feel protected. He wanted to listen to it forever. Yes, what he wouldn't do to set this Sanada in a library and just let him read everything in it. Though is he could hear Sanada moan in pleasure, well, that would be more than acceptable too. It was hard to tell in the murky almost darkness but it appeared as if the human was built strong and muscular. Even if Seiichi didn't get the man right away, at least he'd found the new star of his dreams.
“It would be nice,” Seiichi admitted. He needed one anyway.
Sanada sighed. “Come inside,” he ordered. Seiichi gladly listened.
The inside of the house was beautiful. Walls weren't decorated but it worked with the mood of the place. They didn't see people but Seiichi could feel their presence all around them. He knew what these people were. A place like this was full of servants but for the first time in his life, Seiichi wasn't among them. It was an interesting feeling but one that the vampire didn't mind one bit. As he looked around, he realized something.
Ever since he'd first seen Sanada, Seiichi hadn't tried to get into any human's heads. He had no urge to. After all, why bother getting into Sanada's head when Seiichi could just stare at the man in wonder?
“My father.” Sanada's voice broke into the vampire's thoughts. Realizing he hadn't been paying attention, Seiichi gave an embarrassed chuckle.
“I didn't catch that,” the vampire apologized. “Your home is simply breath-taking.”
Sanada sighed, the annoyance clear in just that simple action. “I said, I assume you're here to speak to my father.”
“A Sanada-sama did request my presence.” Seiichi was almost giddy, being around this human. It was impossible to keep his mind focused and as silly as it all was, the vampire loved it. This feeling, this moment? He wanted it to last forever.
Sanada gave another curt nod, apparently it being the only way he knew how to nod. The man opened the door in front of them. He held out a hand, indicating Seiichi wait, and went inside. Seiichi waited patiently. He didn't want to but it was what Sanada wanted. When he finally heard his name, the vampire entered the room.
An older gentleman, no doubt what Sanada would look like in about 30 years, sat at the other end of the room. He beckoned Seiichi closer. Looking around, the vampire gave a little smile as he noticed his Sanada standing off to the side. There was one more man in the room. He was seated next to the oldest. The third looked similar to the other two. Perhaps a cousin?
“Sit,” the oldest Sanada ordered. That voice was just as deep as his son's but it didn't carry the same warmth and power. Seiichi did as requested, making the human smile. The look was so foreign on that face. But then, that could have just been because Seiichi already found himself far preferring the stoic look on Sanada's. “You're the one called Seiichi, yes?”
“The painter,” the vampire confirmed with a nod. “I received word you have a request for my services.”
“My name is Sanada Kichirou,” the man introduced himself. Indicating the man seated beside him, he went on, “my son Kenichi. And you've already met Genichirou.”
Memorizing names to each face was simple enough. Seiichi knew he'd never forget the youngest Sanada. “I was told you wanted a portrait,” the vampire went on, doing his best to not stare at his human. He could have easily gone into the patriarch's head but sometimes that just took the fun out of everything.
Sanada Kichirou nodded. “My son,” he set a hand on Kenichi's shoulder, “his daughter is the prize of our household. I want you to capture her beauty.”
That was it? Seiichi almost wanted to yawn at the idea of painting someone's precious little girl. He had heard this conversation a hundred times before. They always thought their daughters and wives were some beings of great beauty when in reality, the female was marginally pretty at best. Nothing to brag about but it was always expected of Seiichi to turn her into a goddess. Not only that but portraits of children were the worse. The little brats never wanted to sit still. They tried to get into everything. Even when he forced them to cooperate, their little brains fought him and they asked a seemingly endless cycle of questions that just made Seiichi want to kill them after a few minutes.
He glanced at his Sanada and wondered why the man couldn't be the subject of this portrait. Now that would be one Seiichi would love to do. He wouldn't require anything of the man, just that he let Seiichi stare in wonder as the vampire would attempt to do his best at capturing the likeness.
“It's to be a present for her grandfather,” the middle Sanada added. His voice was higher than the other two. It sounded all wrong. Of course, that could have just been the ruined daydream speaking. “Genichirou, would you fetch Sayuri for me?”
“Hn.” At least that's what it sounded like to Seiichi's ears. The vampire did his best not to pout as his human left the room.
The older Sanada was speaking again. “We've heard many compliments about your skill. Your paintings appear as doubles of the person, an almost perfect replica.”
Seiichi did his best to keep the smirk off his face. He gave a little nod. At this point, he should be considered a master. He'd been taught by some of the best over the last couple of centuries. Even if Seiichi hadn't had a natural gift for painting, the sheer number of years of experience he had at this point would have made it so. “I promise to do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Sanada-sama went on, talking about something but Seiichi stopped listening. All he wanted to think about was getting the man's younger son alone. He could picture it now. They'd be walking down the hallway and Seiichi would see a patch of pure darkness in the corner. He'd push the human into it and unleash his more primal side, taking Sanada Genichirou for himself.
The door slid open and the star of Seiichi's fantasy walked in. A young girl, no more than nine or ten, clung to his side. Most people would have thought her shyness cute but it just ticked him off. If he could have, Seiichi would have gladly traded places with her.
“My girl,” her father beckoned the child over. She gave a little squeak and looked up at her uncle. He nodded. The soft look in Sanada Genichirou's eyes made Seiichi's heart melt. The girl scurried over to her father, standing behind him.
Seiichi looked at her for the first time. He had to admit she was one of the better girls brought before him. She had all the signs of growing into a great beauty. Her skin was pale and clear. Those big brown eyes seemed to take up half her face. It should have been ugly but they just made her look like unearthly. A mystical creature, Seiichi decided. That long jet black hair only added to the affect.
“She's lovely,” Seiichi commented, noticing the three men all looking at him. “It would be an honor to paint her.” He shifted his weight a little, getting comfortable. Now that he had these three, Seiichi could lay on his one condition. “There's just one thing. I am only able to work in the evenings and nights.” Really, it was the one downside to being a vampire. That and the whole no sunlight thing.
The elder son looked at his father. The oldest Sanada nodded. “Genichirou.” Instantly Seiichi's man snapped to attention. “You'll oversee these sessions.”
When Sanada nodded, Seiichi's heart soared.
Part Three: Part 3
Title: Always
Rating: M/Mature
Warnings: Violence, death, sex, emotional manipulation
Disclaimer: The author claims no ownership of anything in this story.
Summary: Yukimura's a vampire but how did that happen? And what events have happened to him?
Notes: I couldn't have done this without Fee. I'm sorry for all the teasers but the support you gave helped more than I think you realize. To my readers? See you next time~
Story 2 out of 5.
-~-
“Yukimura, I'll be home late.”
The vampire frowned at Renji's words. He'd been living with the human for more than a year now. Normally, if Renji was running late or something had happened, the man would give some sort of explanation. It might not always have been a long or detailed one but this message? It was even less than what Yukimura was used to. He didn't like it.
Pacing the length of the room, Yukimura did his best to keep from growling. His Renji was becoming so distant lately. For at least a month, this had been happening. In the beginning, Yukimura wrote it off as Renji just getting caught up in a particular project. That had happened before. Renji always explained, even if Yukimura didn't understand what the human was saying. And even if the project lasted more than a few weeks, Renji found some time for Yukimura in the middle of it.
Then again, there had never been a night like last night. The two of them had a routine that never changed. Renji went to school and studied during the day. His family supported the man, paying the bills and rent on the apartment. He thought Yukimura had graduated and Yukimura only helped this idea along. He'd told the human he worked at a lingerie store, a place Renji would never even think of having a reason to visit. It helped explain why Yukimura had money and why the human never saw the vampire during the day. In reality, Yukimura went to his own apartment across town and slept. Sometimes he fed. No need for Renji to know that.
And it worked for them. There was never change. When there was, the change was nice and easy, something they were both able to easily deal with. Last night...Renji had come home smelling of someone else. A stranger, not one of the classmates Yukimura had come to know. Even that wouldn't have been an issue if it weren't for the fact that Renji had tried to hide it. The man had showered before coming home. Only the lingering scent on his clothes and the nervous thoughts about Yukimura finding out betrayed Renji.
Restless, Yukimura decided to get out of the little apartment he shared with the human. Maybe if he'd fed, that would help him calm down. It wasn't something he was doing enough. Picking up a transient wasn't the easiest thing to do in the early pre-dawn hours. It was much easier to do so early in the night, when all he needed to do was offer a room for the night. In a way, the last year had been almost a starvation diet for him. Keeping up this act of being a human boy was far more time-consuming and exhausting than Yukimura had initially realized. Humans truly were a foreign creature at times. Yukimura wondered how he'd even been one. He knew there was simply no way he could handle being one at this point.
Leaving the apartment, Yukimura walked with no real purpose or direction. It was early in the night and it wasn't as if he needed to worry about his safety. Yukimura was the most dangerous creature of them all. When he found himself in front of his apartment building, he took it as a sign.
The place was quiet, as he knew it would be. The main room, the one Yukimura used every day for sleeping, was comforting and familiar. It was decorated perfectly, every painting chosen carefully and placed just so. He stopped in front of what was supposed to be the bedroom door. After moving into the apartment, Yukimura had never opened it since.
A layer of stress the vampire didn't even realize he'd been carrying around seemed to lift off his shoulders the moment he stepped inside. This room was home to everything that made Yukimura, well, himself. It was a collection of everything he'd managed to hold onto over the years. This place, really the apartment in general, had been practically abandoned since Renji. At best it wasn't much more than an oversized bedroom. A shame, Yukimura realized. Trying to live like a human, to constantly attempt to play house with Renji...it wasn't working. In the beginning it had but after a year, the novelty of the act was wearing off. Even worse, it felt wrong. Yukimura realized why, now that he looked around this room. He wasn't human. Renji was.
The solution was simple. Yukimura needed to turn Renji into a vampire. Once Yukimura did that, he would have the man to himself. There would be no lying, no secrets, no scents of others who could potentially turn into lovers. When he turned Renji, it would finally allow Yukimura to come clean about the truth. He would be able to possess the human fully without breaking Renji, of taking away what made Renji Renji.
He stopped in front of a painting. Rather, the frame of one. The actual painting, a portrait, was ruined. “This time,” Yukimura vowed, “I'll finally get what I deserve.”
The portrait didn't respond. It didn't have to. Even now, Yukimura could feel the missing eyes staring at him, through him. They were judging him. Yukimura growled, the urge to rid himself of the thing strong. Raising a hand, Yukimura was ready to finish ripping it to shreds.
But he couldn't. Instead, Yukimura traced a finger along the subject's jaw. It was the only part of the missing face that remained. “One day,” he went on, tone completely different now. His voice was soft, almost wistful as he promised, “I will restore you.”
Tonight was not going to be that night. Finding someone to feed on was. The search didn't take long. A boy, barely more than a child in all honesty, who had run away from home. He wasn't the sort of person who would be easily missed. It wasn't hard for Yukimura to lure the boy back to his lair. All it'd taken was the promise of some food, a shower, and a warm bed. He'd even been nice and given the boy all those things before feeding.
In the end, it was always the same. Finding the night's meal was never hard. It was always the clean up process that proved to be the most difficult. Then again, Yukimura had taken care of that problem by his choice of lair location. A large clump of trees grew behind the apartment building and on the other side of them was a train yard. Yes, it made for a rather noisy place but Yukimura was rarely around. Even when he was, he was dead to the world asleep. Train yards were beautiful places for body disposal. By the time anyone found the boy's body, it would be hundreds of miles away from Yukimura.
When Yukimura returned to the apartment he shared with Renji, he did feel better. That was up until he noticed a strange car parked in Renji's spot. The mysterious other? Yukimura wasn't sure if he wanted that to be the case. If Renji was bringing someone home...it was unheard of. In the last year since living with Yukimura, the human had never invited anyone over. Not even his parents had seen the place. This spelled trouble. This was someone Renji had a serious interest in. If he were an animal, Yukimura's hackles would have been raised in wary unease as he entered the apartment.
Renji and a stranger were sitting on the couch. The table in front of them was covered in papers and notebooks. A pen had rolled onto the floor at some point. The stranger was pointing at something in the book he was holding, Renji leaning over and nodding. They looked the perfect picture of students studying. Yukimura knew in that instant hated this newcomer.
“We have company.” Yukimura gave the stranger a dark look. The vampire stood in the doorway, watching the two humans. They hadn't even noticed him entering the room.
“Yukimura.” Renji looked up, giving the vampire that soft look that was his smile. “Sadaharu, my....roommate, Yukimura.” The paused before the word roommate did not go unnoticed by the vampire. He raised an unamused eyebrow. “This is an old friend of mine, Sadaharu Inui.”
“You're saying it backwards again,” Yukimura reminded as he stepped out of his shoes and into the small apartment. His nose told him that this human, this Inui, was the one. “Am I interrupting, Renji?” The coolness of his voice didn't seem to affect the humans.
At least, not physically. Renji's expression didn't change but it didn't need to. The human's mind was frantic with worry and guilt. It was more than enough to betray Renji. All of that was almost enough to make Yukimura smile. Instead, he crossed the room, taking a seat on the arm of the couch next to Renji. Doing that always annoyed the human but Yukimura was okay with that. The purpose was to throw Renji off. Knowing just how much Renji hated it, Yukimura reached over and started to pet his human's hair.
True enough, annoyed irritation took over the human's thoughts. It amused Yukimura to see the sheer level of irritation Renji could have but never show. Yukimura kept petting. “Renji, why didn't you tell me you were bringing someone home?”
“Is it a problem?” Renji asked. He was sitting ram-rod straight. Beside him, the other human sat silently. He was observing them but the man's glasses blocked Yukimura from seeing the man's eyes. Knowing his hold on Renji was secure even without attention, Yukimura relaxed his grip on the human's mind. Letting go, the vampire turned his focus onto Inui. He tried to enter. And when that didn't work, he tried again. Frowning, Yukimura put all his strength into it. Nothing happened.
Inui gave him a curious look. Yukimura smiled. “Are you staying long?” The vampire asked, turning on all the polite charm he could muster.
Why wasn't he able to enter the human's mind? Yukimura had never encountered someone so able to keep him out of their head before. Some humans had certainly been stronger, gifted with a natural resistance against Yukimura and his kind's ability to take control of minds. Even that had never been more than a bump for the vampire before. Entering heads and changing minds had always been a specialty of Yukimura's.
Inui turned to Renji. “Am I?”
When the human nodded, Yukimura froze internally. Having no luck with Inui, the vampire slid back into Renji's mind. He almost wished he hadn't. At that moment, Yukimura knew what he had to do. He gave Inui his friendliest smile, telling the man, “well then, Inui, it's been a pleasure but I'll leave you and Renji to your studies now.” Sliding off the arm of the couch, he leaned over peck Renji on the lips.
It didn't matter how much time Renji spent with his friend. After all, Inui Sadaharu was a dead man.
-~-
Seiichi could barely move. His everything hurt. Even though he'd just woken, he was already exhausted. Worst of all, his skin itched and all he wanted to do was scratch it. That took too much strength.
“Seiichi,” a familiar voice called. It sounded worried.
Gathering up all his strength, the boy opened his eyes. Wherever he was, the place was dark. It wasn't completely dark. There were a few candles lit somewhere in the room but nowhere in Seiichi's line of vision. He was on something soft, no doubt a bed. It felt familiar so it was probably his own. Turning his head a little to the side, Seiichi noticed Hajime curled up next to him. The boy was muttering something in their native tongue but Seiichi couldn't get his ears to cooperate.
Somehow Hajime knew. The boy looked strange to Seiichi's eyes but the older couldn't place just how. Seeing Seiichi awake, Hajime smiled. “Let me get Jean-Paul,” he said as he hurried out of the bed and room.
Moving wasn't an option for Seiichi. Just turning his head had sapped what little strength he had. It was hard to even breath. And still everything hurt. A stray thought popped into the boy's head. No. If...if Seiichi was stuck laying in this bed forever, no ability to move...No. He didn't want this. No art, no ability to see or create more. That was worse than death. Hot tears prickled his eyes. The boy blinked furiously, trying to get them to go away. Doing that only seemed to make them fall faster.
“My sweet.” The pain suddenly felt far away. It was still there but it was a dull throb that didn't take over every single thought.
Jean-Paul entered the boy's sight, taking a seat on the bed beside Seiichi. On the boy's other side, Hajime jumped onto the bed and curled up on Seiichi's other side. The Frenchman reached over, stroking Seiichi's cheek. “I've done what I can to help with your pain,” he explained. The vampire had to be doing something to help Seiichi understand because the boy still couldn't understand what Hajime was murmuring in his ear. “However, my sweet boy...”
The pained expression on Jean-Paul's face told Seiichi that whatever the man said next, he wasn't going to like. Hajime hugged his arm. Pain shot through Seiichi and he just wanted to scream but he couldn't because that required too much effort.
It was Hajime who ended up breaking the news. “Sei-nii, he's dead. 'Jandro.” It might have been spoken in Japanese but it was obvious to everyone in the room just what the boy had said.
“He attacked you,” the Frenchman explained after a few minutes had passed.
Seiichi immediately knew what they were referring to. That one last memory, the one full of pain and fire...yes, the events of that night were coming back to the boy. It was mostly a jumbled mess of darkness, fear, confusion, and pain.
Hajime helped Seiichi sit up. It took all of his willpower to not scream out at every touch. Hajime put an arm around Seiichi, to help the older boy stay sitting up. “There's more,” the youngest said, his voice full of what could only be called sorrow. He turned his little face at the vampire and gave the man a fierce look. It was such a strange thing to see on little Hajime's face.
Seiichi's stomach dropped. He knew he didn't what else there was but he knew he wouldn't like it. Beside him, the vampire sighed. “My sweet Sei, I'm sorry. You...I know I told you boys I'm unable to turn you until you both are much older, that it wasn't safe for either of you until you're adults. Oh my Sei,” the vampire brushed the hair out of Seiichi's face. “You're no longer human.”
What? Seiichi's eyes widened and he tried to croak out a question. How? Why? Was he really a vampire? That was amazing. It was all he'd ever wanted. He couldn't say anything though. His throat was dry, so painfully dry. Just trying to say anything made it feel like it'd crack open. This was far worse than any illness Seiichi had ever had. The bed shifted as Jean-Paul reached for something. Whatever the thing was, it was cool and wet on Seiichi's lips.
The liquid soaked into the rag soothed his throat. It was delicious and as he swallowed more, Seiichi's pains started fading away. This wasn't like when Jean-Paul had mentally dealt with the pain. This was a healing fade. A little strength started to return to the boy's limbs. The vampire took it away but Seiichi bit for it, trying to get more.
Jean-Paul chuckled. “A rag is not food, my sweet. But it is good, no?”
Seiichi nodded. “More.” He was finally able to say. His tone was so needy that it made the boy wince. Whatever it was, though, he wanted more. No, not wanted. He needed it.
“You're still not a vampire.” Jean-Paul stood, fluffing up the pillows Seiichi was sitting against.
“But he had to start changing you,” Hajime finished. “So you should be good. You won't go crazy.”
“We don't know about that,” Jean-Paul admitted, giving Hajime a look. “It was the best I could do. With my guidance, I will do the best I can to make sure you don't go feral.” He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on Seiichi's forehead. “Because, my sweet, for you I would do anything.”
-~-
Yukimura looked down at the boy curled up beside him in the tiny hospital bed. Akaya looked so sweet and angelic. Leaning down, Yukimura place a gentle kiss on the boy's lips. “One day,” he promised the sleeping human. It helped as a reminder to himself.
Unfortunately there was still the issue of the sun to deal with. If that caught him, Yukimura knew he was dead. It might have been the great source of life but the sun abhorred Yukimura's kind. They stole life and the sun was their ultimate punishment. To never feel that warmth, to never see the light of day. Those were just a few of the prices one had to pay for a life of eternal youth.
The door to the room, the one that was supposed to stay open but Yukimura always closed so they could have a little privacy, creaked open. A white-haired youth, no older than Akaya, stepped in. He was barely more than a couple of steps in when he caught sight of Yukimura and froze. The vampire smiled. “You must be Niou-kun,” he guessed. Akaya had mentioned his friends before, always supplying a mental image of each. “I'm Yukimura.”
The youth, Niou, finished stepping into the room. He went to close the door behind him but stopped, leaving it cracked open. A cautious look was on his face as he studied the two on the bed. “You're real,” he finally said, voice holding an air of disbelief. “We thought you were just some drugged up hallucination of Akaya's.”
“I'm as real as you or him,” Yukimura chuckled. “Sneaking in for a visit?”
“Prank,” Niou corrected. His gaze kept going to Yukimura's side, not the side with Akaya but the other one. Curious as to why, Yukimura reached to enter Niou's mind.
“What a great friend,” Yukimura continued the conversation in an attempt to keep Niou distracted.
Which the human was. His head was cocked to the side and he nodded. It was almost like he was listening to someone speak. That was impossible though. It just made for a strange scene and for a moment, the vampire wondered if there was something wrong with Niou's head.
Yukimura realized something. Niou's mind was unreadable. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get in to the boy's mind. There were no cracks to slip in. Only one other human had been this unreadable. Inui's face flashed into his mind for a brief moment.
Niou's expression changed. “What are you?”
“I think the better question is 'what are you?' You're not human, are you?” Yukimura put an arm around Akaya. Who, or what, ever Niou was wouldn't let Akaya come to harm. At least, not if Niou truly cared about the human. Niou bristled. Yukimura smiled. “As for me,” the vampire added, “I'm a friend of Akaya's.”
“And I'm his sempai,” Niou replied.
Yukimura nodded, keeping his gaze on the new youth. His eyes caught every little movement the human made. “So, you're a trickster,” the vampire assessed as he watched the...something start to do something.
“That's my nickname,” Niou admitted as he stared to do something with the television stand. Despite Niou not turning his back on the vampire, it was impossible to see just what he was doing. “There a reason you're here?”
“I was telling Akaya some stories.” Yukimura rested his cheek on against Akaya's. The boy had such soft skin and hair. His curls even had a nice fruity smell. It must have been that new shampoo Yukimura brought for the boy last week.
An image of Akaya stretched out on a bed, no casts or hospital tubes attached to him popped into Yukimura's head. It would be Yukimura's bed. Big and soft, with the red silk sheets. It would contrast beautiful with Akaya's pale skin.
The boy's clothes would be gone. Yukimura would have long gotten rid of those pesky things. All he would want to see was Akaya. Seeing the boy's creamy unmarked skin. The temptation would be too much. Yukimura nibbled at the boy's earlobe as his hands explored the boy's torso. His fingers would find the boy's muscle lines and would trace them. He was sure he would find a weak spot, one that his fingers would brush against that would make Akaya moan in pleasure.
Akaya's eyes would be needy with want as Yukimura started kissing his way down. Along the way, the vampire would nip at Akaya's skin. Each love bite would leave a beautiful pink mark that told the world the boy was Yukimura's. Not that anyone else would ever see any. Well, the ones on Akaya's neck were fair game but the one's he would leave on the boy's chest? Yukimura would kill anyone who saw those.
It would be impossible for Akaya to keep his hands to himself. He'd reach out, tentatively touching Yukimura's own skin. The look on his face would be a mix of excited and nervous. Pausing from where he'd been marking the spot over Akaya's heart, Yukimura would lean up to give the boy a kiss on the lips. He'd direct the boy's hands, showing Akaya where and how to touch. At first, Akaya would have no confidence but once he realized just how much Yukimura enjoyed it, the boy would throw his whole heart into pleasing Yukimura.
The vampire slid a hand lower. Brushing the boy's excited member, Yukimura would catch Akaya's eye and smile. Akaya would blush and mumble something but Yukimura wouldn't listen. His attention would be on the boy's pretty pink nipples. Taking one into his mouth, Yukimura would lick and suck at it until he had Akaya squirming underneath him. In all his squirming, Akaya would brush his cock against Yukimura's own. Feeling how hard the vampire was, the boy was gasp and buck his hips, wanting more.
Akaya's one nipple stood at attention but now the other was neglected. Yukimura turned his mouth onto the other one. He would direct Akaya's hands lower. The boy would blush but he wouldn't fight it. Yukimura would press his hips against Akaya's, closing the boy's hands around their cocks. “Do it, my pet,” Yukimura would order. Akaya was a teenager. He would know what to do.
At first, Akaya would give a few tentative tugs that normally would have just been painful and useless. But it was Akaya and they were touching which made it feel wonderful. The boy's thumb would run across the head of Yukimura and the vampire would moan. Need would drive Yukimura to want more. He would want to taste the human. Yukimura would finally go back to kissing his way down Akaya's torso.
Being a teenager, Akaya had a mess of curly black hair surrounding his cock but Yukimura wouldn't mind. He'd place a hand on the human's hips, holding them down so that the human wouldn't buck as Yukimura licked the head of the human's cock. Akaya would make noises that were somewhere between a squeak and a moan.
“Yeah, could you not do that?”
Yukimura scowled as Niou's voice ruined what had been the start of a lovely fantasy. Nuzzling Akaya, the vampire shot the prankster a dark look. “You could leave,” he suggested. He wasn't going to stop the human. Even if Yukimura wanted to, moving would be rather uncomfortable until he could take care of the boner that had appeared. So far Niou had proven himself to a big annoyance but nothing more. Now if Niou did much more, the vampire would have to do something.
“So could you,” Niou shot back. “But seriously, could you stop molesting my friend? It's disturbing.”
“Is it truly molesting him if he enjoys it?” Yukimura kissed Akaya on the neck. The boy's hands had moved in his sleep and one was even resting on Yukimura's thigh. It was incredibly tempting to move it a little more. The thought of Akaya touching him made Yukimura's cock twitch. Closing his eyes, Yukimura dived back into his fantasy.
Akaya's hands, rough with tennis calluses, would be everywhere now that he'd started to get over his shyness. Eventually they would find their way into Yukimura's hair. The vampire would still be licking the human's cock, treating it like it was the most delicious treat in the world. Akaya would moan and push down, trying to get Yukimura to swallow him entirely.
“Yeah, seriously, you need to stop that.”
Yukimura scowled. He opened his eyes, letting loose the full force of his glare at Niou. “Don't tell me you like him.” The mix of lust and jealousy in Yukimura's voice was evident even to himself. If that were the case with Niou that meant Yukimura really would have to take care of that particular human.
Niou stood up and laughed. Soft enough it didn't wake the human but loud enough that the meaning was clear. “Bakaya? He's more like a little brother. Which actually means I really, really would rather not see you doing that to him.”
The vampire kissed Akaya on the neck again, working his way up to the boy's earlobe. Gently nibbling on it, a shiver of pleasure went through Yukimura as he heard Akaya softly moan. Smirking at Niou, Yukimura shifted a little until Akaya's hand was resting on the vampire's crotch. “There's nothing wrong about love.”
“When it's creepy and one-sided like that, yeah, there's plenty wrong.” Niou looked like he was about to rip Akaya out of the vampire's arms. The strangest thing happened next. Niou's expression changed and he sighed. “Okay, here's the deal,” his tone completely changed. “I'm going to pretend I never saw you here and you're going to leave him alone from now on. Deal?”
Interesting. Yukimura turned his attention to Akaya's neck. In particular, that spot where the neck met the shoulders, right at the boy's collarbone. He kissed it, nipping and biting until the spot started to turn a lovely shade of pink just like Yukimura had imagined. Niou fidgeted, growing angrier by the second. Once the vampire was certain it would leave a mark, he reluctantly started to pull away from Akaya. His pet wasn't quite where Yukimura wanted him just yet and keeping Niou quiet would only help in the long run.
“Happy?” The vampire asked as he got out of bed.
“A little,” Niou admitted. He shouldered the bag he'd brought with.
Akaya looked so lonely on the bed now. Yukimura fought the urge to rejoin the boy, to let Akaya curl back up at his side. To be fair though, it really was almost time for the vampire to leave anywhere. He only had about an hour until sunrise.
“I bid you adieu,” Yukimura said with a bow as he sauntered past Niou. He blew a kiss at the white-haired human and left the room. As he did so, Yukimura could have sworn he'd heard Niou say “puri” or some other nonsense word.
-~-
Resting on the arm of the couch, Yukimura set his hand on top of Renji's. They were both reading, the room silent. It wasn't awkward but it wasn't the same easy one they were used to either. The only consolation were their choices in books. Yukimura was brushing up on his Italian. He'd never learned it like he had French, Spanish, and Portuguese but he knew enough of those three to make his job fairly simple. It had just been a long, long time since he'd regularly used any of them. Even better was Renji's choice of book. The man was reading up on Venice. Yukimura's insistence had finally won out and they were planning a trip to the city in the summer.
“Sadaharu has asked me to accompany him to a lecture in Boston.”
Yukimura's grip on Renji's hand tightened. A few minutes passed as the vampire waited for more. “Well?” He finally prompted.
“I'll be gone for a week next month,” Renji answered. He turned a page in his book.
“With Inui.”
Renji didn't reply right away. Instead, he just read. Once he reached the end of his chapter, the human carefully marked his spot and set the book on their table. He flexed his hand, trying to wiggle his fingers. “Jealous, Yukimura?”
The hand motion caught the vampire's eye and he let go of Renji. The man's fingertips had begun to turn a nasty shade of reddish-purple. “Should I be?”Yukimura already knew the answer to that but Renji didn't need to know that just yet.
Opening and closing his hand to help with the circulation, Renji didn't answer. In a way, his silence was his answer. Yukimura slid off the couch, his own book falling into the human's lap. “I see...”
“Yukimura...”
It was too late. The vampire had already started gathering some of his favorite art books, ones Renji knew were important to Yukimura. Renji's old backpack, the one that was practically falling apart, was sitting on the kitchen table they rarely used. This wasn't an attempt to leave, at least not for good. Yukimura just felt he needed to shake things up for Renji, to keep his human's thoughts focused on the vampire.
Staying silent, Yukimura continued to gather up what would appear to be the essentials. Renji moved the book on Italian off his lap. “We're friends.”
Yukimura could tell from Renji's tone that his silence was getting to the human. He struggled to keep a smirk off his face. Snapping the bag's clasp, Yukimura easily shouldered the heavy bag. He'd spend the next few days in his lair. Actually, this would be the perfect time to restore the portrait. He had all the supplies waiting at the place but the time just hadn't been there. It was a project that Yukimura knew would consume everything, not something he could attempt while playing house with Renji.
“At least tell me when you'll be back.” Oh, that slight pleading quality to Renji's voice was beautiful. This...this was exactly what Yukimura had wanted to hear. He had Renji wrapped around his fingers and it was tempting to stay but he knew his message would only hit hard if he actually did left.
“Don't change the lock,” the vampire ordered. Not that something as puny as a human lock could keep him out.
“Yukimura, if you do this, you might as well not return.” That tone. It was so deliciously full of strength that the vampire had to turn and face his human. And here Yukimura had thought his mind games had almost completely taken away Renji's ability to stand against him.
“Is that a threat?” Inui was a bad influence. Yukimura hadn't thought it possible to hate that meddlesome human more than he already did but for once Yukimura was wrong.
Renji crossed his arms. Despite his eyes being closed, Yukimura could feel the full strength of the man's gaze. “The truth. Ever since you met Sadaharu, you've been acting like a child.”
Had this human really just said that? Yukimura's only response was to slam the door behind him. The whole building seemed to shake. As he walked outside, Yukimura could feel Renji's gaze on him as the human watched from the window.
When he reached his lair, Yukimura gave a sigh of relief. Playing house with Renji had it's fun moments but Yukimura knew it would be far more satisfying once he rid them both of Inui. And then it would just be up to Yukimura to find the perfect moment to turn Renji though at the moment, Yukimura wasn't completely sold on the idea.
Staring at the ruined portrait, Yukimura could finally admit it. “He's not like you. No one will ever be like you.”
-~-
Seiichi couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he stood at the gate of the Sanada estate. It was the first time he'd felt this way since returning to Japan. The place was beautiful, even in the dark. Not in the way the European buildings had been. The beauty in those places lay in the intricate details. No, the clean simplicity here was what made the Sanada estate beautiful.
“Is there a reason you're here?” A strange voice asked from behind Seiichi. The vampire whipped around, surprised that someone had managed to sneak up behind him. That just didn't happen.
The most handsome man stood there. His face was blank but Seiichi could see the emotions that were bubbling under the surface. In that instant, Seiichi knew.
“Well?” The man prompted.
“I...” All the words left Seiichi's head as he looked at this man. Perfection. That's what this man was. He was physically the most perfect example of what a human man should look and exemplify. Seiichi had to have him.
The soft sound of footsteps distracted the vampire. He turned and found himself looking at Seiko, that woman he'd met his first night in Japan. The look of surprise on her face mirrored Seiichi's own. “A-ano,” she started, her voice full of confusion.
The man behind Seiichi sighed and walked past the vampire. Standing next to the woman, he repeated his earlier words. “Is there a reason you're here?”
Finally able to find his voice, Seiichi explained. “I was asked here by the master of the house. I've been commissioned for a portrait.”
The man's expression didn't change but there was a definite shift in the air. Seiko seemed to gain a little confidence at the vampire's words. She gave a little bow, turning to the man beside her. “Does young master Sanada wish to accompany our visitor to Master Sanada's rooms?”
The man, Sanada apparently, thought about it for a moment before giving a curt nod. Seiko looked relieved and in the blink of an eye, seemed to vanish. It was impressive even to the vampire. One minute she was there, the next she wasn't. Seiichi wasn't going to complain though because that meant he was now alone with the human male. It was amazing how, for the first time in centuries, Seiichi couldn't think of a single thing to say.
“Seiichi.” It was the one word that actually popped into his head. “My name,” the vampire explained to try and make this less awkward. “Just in case you were wondering.”
He watched the corners of the man's mouth twitch in what was hopefully amusement. “Sanada Genichirou.”
Shiver went down Seiichi's back. There was power in that name. Despite knowing he was far stronger, older, and more powerful than this human, Seiichi couldn't help but feel weak next to him. What surprised Seiichi was how much it didn't bother him.
The estate was just as beautiful inside as it was outside. An air of tranquility filled the place. It was all so very Japanese in a way that made Seiichi remember the earliest parts of his childhood. That place had been similar to this one. It wasn't the same, the location of Seiichi's first home now someone else's home.
Focusing his attention on the human, Seiichi wondered if this was love at first sight. He'd never experienced anything similar to this but he knew he had to have this human. It would happen, even if it was the last thing one of them would do. This Sanada Genichirou was quickly turning Seiichi into a believer of love, both at first sight and true. The vampire followed closely behind, only pausing once they reached the entrance into the actual, physical dwelling.
Sanada turned to look at him. “Are you waiting for an invitation?”
That voice. So warm and strong. It made Seiichi feel protected. He wanted to listen to it forever. Yes, what he wouldn't do to set this Sanada in a library and just let him read everything in it. Though is he could hear Sanada moan in pleasure, well, that would be more than acceptable too. It was hard to tell in the murky almost darkness but it appeared as if the human was built strong and muscular. Even if Seiichi didn't get the man right away, at least he'd found the new star of his dreams.
“It would be nice,” Seiichi admitted. He needed one anyway.
Sanada sighed. “Come inside,” he ordered. Seiichi gladly listened.
The inside of the house was beautiful. Walls weren't decorated but it worked with the mood of the place. They didn't see people but Seiichi could feel their presence all around them. He knew what these people were. A place like this was full of servants but for the first time in his life, Seiichi wasn't among them. It was an interesting feeling but one that the vampire didn't mind one bit. As he looked around, he realized something.
Ever since he'd first seen Sanada, Seiichi hadn't tried to get into any human's heads. He had no urge to. After all, why bother getting into Sanada's head when Seiichi could just stare at the man in wonder?
“My father.” Sanada's voice broke into the vampire's thoughts. Realizing he hadn't been paying attention, Seiichi gave an embarrassed chuckle.
“I didn't catch that,” the vampire apologized. “Your home is simply breath-taking.”
Sanada sighed, the annoyance clear in just that simple action. “I said, I assume you're here to speak to my father.”
“A Sanada-sama did request my presence.” Seiichi was almost giddy, being around this human. It was impossible to keep his mind focused and as silly as it all was, the vampire loved it. This feeling, this moment? He wanted it to last forever.
Sanada gave another curt nod, apparently it being the only way he knew how to nod. The man opened the door in front of them. He held out a hand, indicating Seiichi wait, and went inside. Seiichi waited patiently. He didn't want to but it was what Sanada wanted. When he finally heard his name, the vampire entered the room.
An older gentleman, no doubt what Sanada would look like in about 30 years, sat at the other end of the room. He beckoned Seiichi closer. Looking around, the vampire gave a little smile as he noticed his Sanada standing off to the side. There was one more man in the room. He was seated next to the oldest. The third looked similar to the other two. Perhaps a cousin?
“Sit,” the oldest Sanada ordered. That voice was just as deep as his son's but it didn't carry the same warmth and power. Seiichi did as requested, making the human smile. The look was so foreign on that face. But then, that could have just been because Seiichi already found himself far preferring the stoic look on Sanada's. “You're the one called Seiichi, yes?”
“The painter,” the vampire confirmed with a nod. “I received word you have a request for my services.”
“My name is Sanada Kichirou,” the man introduced himself. Indicating the man seated beside him, he went on, “my son Kenichi. And you've already met Genichirou.”
Memorizing names to each face was simple enough. Seiichi knew he'd never forget the youngest Sanada. “I was told you wanted a portrait,” the vampire went on, doing his best to not stare at his human. He could have easily gone into the patriarch's head but sometimes that just took the fun out of everything.
Sanada Kichirou nodded. “My son,” he set a hand on Kenichi's shoulder, “his daughter is the prize of our household. I want you to capture her beauty.”
That was it? Seiichi almost wanted to yawn at the idea of painting someone's precious little girl. He had heard this conversation a hundred times before. They always thought their daughters and wives were some beings of great beauty when in reality, the female was marginally pretty at best. Nothing to brag about but it was always expected of Seiichi to turn her into a goddess. Not only that but portraits of children were the worse. The little brats never wanted to sit still. They tried to get into everything. Even when he forced them to cooperate, their little brains fought him and they asked a seemingly endless cycle of questions that just made Seiichi want to kill them after a few minutes.
He glanced at his Sanada and wondered why the man couldn't be the subject of this portrait. Now that would be one Seiichi would love to do. He wouldn't require anything of the man, just that he let Seiichi stare in wonder as the vampire would attempt to do his best at capturing the likeness.
“It's to be a present for her grandfather,” the middle Sanada added. His voice was higher than the other two. It sounded all wrong. Of course, that could have just been the ruined daydream speaking. “Genichirou, would you fetch Sayuri for me?”
“Hn.” At least that's what it sounded like to Seiichi's ears. The vampire did his best not to pout as his human left the room.
The older Sanada was speaking again. “We've heard many compliments about your skill. Your paintings appear as doubles of the person, an almost perfect replica.”
Seiichi did his best to keep the smirk off his face. He gave a little nod. At this point, he should be considered a master. He'd been taught by some of the best over the last couple of centuries. Even if Seiichi hadn't had a natural gift for painting, the sheer number of years of experience he had at this point would have made it so. “I promise to do my best to live up to your expectations.”
Sanada-sama went on, talking about something but Seiichi stopped listening. All he wanted to think about was getting the man's younger son alone. He could picture it now. They'd be walking down the hallway and Seiichi would see a patch of pure darkness in the corner. He'd push the human into it and unleash his more primal side, taking Sanada Genichirou for himself.
The door slid open and the star of Seiichi's fantasy walked in. A young girl, no more than nine or ten, clung to his side. Most people would have thought her shyness cute but it just ticked him off. If he could have, Seiichi would have gladly traded places with her.
“My girl,” her father beckoned the child over. She gave a little squeak and looked up at her uncle. He nodded. The soft look in Sanada Genichirou's eyes made Seiichi's heart melt. The girl scurried over to her father, standing behind him.
Seiichi looked at her for the first time. He had to admit she was one of the better girls brought before him. She had all the signs of growing into a great beauty. Her skin was pale and clear. Those big brown eyes seemed to take up half her face. It should have been ugly but they just made her look like unearthly. A mystical creature, Seiichi decided. That long jet black hair only added to the affect.
“She's lovely,” Seiichi commented, noticing the three men all looking at him. “It would be an honor to paint her.” He shifted his weight a little, getting comfortable. Now that he had these three, Seiichi could lay on his one condition. “There's just one thing. I am only able to work in the evenings and nights.” Really, it was the one downside to being a vampire. That and the whole no sunlight thing.
The elder son looked at his father. The oldest Sanada nodded. “Genichirou.” Instantly Seiichi's man snapped to attention. “You'll oversee these sessions.”
When Sanada nodded, Seiichi's heart soared.
Part Three: Part 3