[Fic] Gravity : 9/18
Feb. 2nd, 2010 02:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lotus_beautyTitle: Gravity
Author: LotusBeauty
Rating: R to NC-17
Pairings: Min+Su, Min+Kumi
Genre: AU, fantasy, romance/drama/emo (lots of emo)
Summary: Prequel to Feel and Redefine. This arc encompasses Changmin’s past; how he became a vampire and how he and Junsu met.
Notes: You don’t have to read the other two before you read this, but it would probably be a good idea to have some general vampire myths down.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never were.
Prologue
1: Cold
2: A Beautiful Lie
3: Haunted
4: Crawling
5: Away from the Sun
6: Daylight
7: Right Where it Belongs
8: Name
Part 9: Thief
Changmin frowned at the young ma—vampire standing in the middle of the room. He thought it was a man at first because his mannerisms seemed so human. He wore mostly greens, blues and browns, but nothing expensive. He also looked to be a traveler by the make of his clothing—Chinese he assumed, mixed with Japanese elements—and the way it was worn. The newcomer introduced himself as Kim Junsu and Changmin could do nothing but stare at the contradiction that this vampire was—a Korean vampire in Chinese clothing standing in one of the most powerful covens in Japan. His mind boggled, even if he didn’t show it. But as this Junsu spoke, Changmin could tell his Japanese needed some work. Obviously, he hadn’t been traveling in Japan for too long and wanted protection. He also kept glancing at Changmin, which made him wonder why, as the young vampire only seemed nervous. Maybe Changmin’s presence as a pet bothered this vampire, but he had to be familiar with the idea. His emotions didn’t seem to matter when it came to his voice though. The tones that Changmin heard harmonized so well with Junsu’s speaking that he was quite enthralled by it.
“Ishiko,” Kame called, effectively cutting off Junsu’s stuttering.
“Yes, Kamenashi-sama?” Changmin sat up from the position he was laying in to catch his master’s gaze.
“Go translate for the poor boy before I start correcting his horrible grammar,” Kame commanded as he unhooked his leash. “Your grasp of the Korean language hasn’t faded has it?”
“No, master,” Changmin replied as he stood fluidly and moved toward Junsu, who was… blushing at the insult? Who knew vampires could blush?
“Nice to meet you, I’m—” Changmin glanced at Kame who raised a curious eyebrow. Changmin went on, “Ishiko.” He waited as Junsu politely introduced himself and then went on in Korean, “I’ll translate for you.”
Junsu looked incredibly relieved. “Thank you.”
The rest of the interaction went smoothly as Changmin translated back and forth, not that Kame needed a translator. Junsu was indeed looking for shelter while traveling back and forth from areas in Japan to China and had decided coven protection would be perfect for a permanent place to stay while in Japan. Kame turned to discuss this with his advisors, which he always did for effect, then turned back to Junsu and agreed to shelter him.
When asked what the payment would be, Kame replied, “We can determine that later.” Changmin blinked in surprise before he relayed the translation.
“Is that normal?” Junsu asked quietly.
“It is not,” Changmin replied, wondering just what Kame was up to. It was usually straightforward haggling when it came to letting travelers stay in his coven. Kame did it frequently over the course of a year. Sometimes a vampire would even come to renegotiate to try to change the price. He’d never heard Kame suggest waiting to get his payment. The only reason he might wait was…
He wasn’t blind to the way Kame’s eyes raked over Junsu, the way they had been on him when he’d first come into this chamber so many years ago. Then he felt it—desire coming in waves from Kame. Changmin had grown used to the way Kame’s feelings swayed, so he hadn’t noticed it before, but his intentions were now obvious. The attention on the traveler made Changmin bristle in apprehension for him. Kame was going to collect the payment himself and somehow, Changmin couldn’t bring himself to let that happen. This vampire must not have been one long, and Kame wanted to break him, preying on his naivety.
“An open ended deal such as this is not in your favor. I advise you not to take it,” Changmin hissed at Junsu who gave him a frown of worry.
“But, I need—”
“Do we have a deal?” Kame interrupted with a smile dripping with contentment and fake sincerity—it made Changmin want to gag.
“Don’t do this. It is a trap.” Changmin insisted.
Junsu gave him a look of confusion, then determination before he looked to Kame. “I accept.”
“Splendid!” Kame’s voice rang out as Changmin felt his heart fall through his feet as his master stood to approach them. “Koda-san will assist you and get you settled into one of the guest rooms, won’t you?” he asked as she stepped forward to bow.
“I shall,” she gave Junsu a coy smile as the traveler looked her over with astonishment. She was dressed to kill today, and Changmin had to admit, it was rather jaw dropping when one saw it for the first time. The chimes in her hair made soft sounds as she nodded to Junsu and he did the same.
“And Ishiko shall attend you as well,” Kame rested his hand at the back of Changmin’s neck as he gaped in surprise at his master. “We can’t have you not being able to communicate with the staff without learning better Japanese, and he will be the one to teach you, and occupy you if you wish.”
Changmin wasn’t deceived and tried to think of a way for this to come out in Junsu’s favor as the traveler gratefully accepted the assistance. All of this put Junsu in debt to Kame, and Changmin’s hate for Kame’s methods resurfaced. He would have to find a way to convince Junsu not to come back once he left to travel again.
Kame drew him away as Kumi flirted with Junsu. “Your jealousy becomes you, my pet,” Kame’s voice purred into his ear. “I might reward you with him if you behave. Would you like that?”
He almost laughed at how off the mark Kame was. It hit him that if he could play along, he would get Junsu to himself, where he could tell the vampire to get the hell out while he still could. “I would, Kamenashi-sama.”
“Good.” Kame smiled and with a squeeze to Changmin’s shoulder, led him back to his seat. Kumi took Junsu to the side as proceedings resumed as usual and Changmin did his best to ignore Junsu, no matter how much he wanted to watch the visitor. He had to act like he was jealous for Kame, yet he wondered if he should try to show an interest in Junsu to make it seem like he wanted Junsu as well. He couldn’t decide which way he wanted to play it. He then stole a glance at the vampire out of curiosity and saw Junsu’s eyes on him. He flicked his gaze away feeling uneasy, not knowing why he felt so.
When the session ended, Kame led Changmin out by his leash and he snuck a glance at Junsu to see Kumi herding him toward one of the exits. Once in Kame’s private chambers, the leader rattled off a few things to his servants before turning to Changmin.
“I want you to watch him,” he said as he poured himself a cup, the scent making Changmin’s nostrils flare. He was thirsty. “He must have heard my name somewhere. I want you to find out where, or if he’s working for someone and what his intention is regardless.”
“Yes, Kamenashi-sama,” Changmin said with a bow before retreating for the door.
“And Koishii?” Kame called as Changmin’s hand rested on the door handle.
“Yes?” He glanced back at the leader to see a smirk on his lips.
“I won’t mind if you get attached. I have a mind to keep him.”
Once he was out the door, a shiver of worry ran down his spine. He had to find Kumi.
Searching through the corridors, Changmin stopped at Kumi’s quarters to find she wasn’t there, and went on his way. He finally found Kumi with Junsu in a common area where people met. He watched from near the entrance as Junsu led Kumi to a quiet corner and pulled something out of his pack for her. Junsu opened his hand to reveal a lotus flower as Kumi’s lips formed an ‘o’ of surprise. She looked at him, then back to the flower before accepting it as she carefully took it in her hands. Changmin had to wonder what it meant, or if it had a particular meaning where he was from. Her face turned serious as she gazed at the flower, and said something Changmin couldn’t hear from where he was. But she turned cheerful again as she thanked him and then caught Changmin’s gaze from across the room.
“Ishiko.” Kumi greeted him with a smile. “Kim-san here is so wonderful. He gave me a lotus flower!” She held it up for him to see and he inspected it with raised eyebrows, feigning interest.
“Beautiful,” he replied honestly. He could at least admit this without lying.
“His intentions must be pure,” Kumi said then, catching Changmin’s attention and she gave him a look that he knew meant something more. “Once I get Junsu settled into his rooms, shall I send him to you so you may discuss when you will meet for his Japanese lessons, and maybe find out if you two might enjoy one another’s company?”
“Yes, that would be fine,” Changmin answered as Junsu nodded. He caught Junsu’s eyes again before Kumi led him away, a feeling of nervousness claiming Changmin’s chest again. He had to wonder if he could pull off getting the vampire to trust him. Then again, if Junsu was easily agreeing to something with Kame, it shouldn’t be too difficult. He just had to be sincere, and he damn well knew he wanted someone who didn’t deserve this life to be out.
Changmin made his way back to his room and picked out a book to read while he waited for Kumi to waste all of Junsu’s time by showing him around the complex and flirting with him. She was a fabulous escort, he’d learned that over the years he’d been here. She was also good in bed, and if Junsu was smart, he’d take advantage of it before Changmin drove him out of the coven. He then had to wonder why in the world he even cared, but he shrugged it off as he opened his book.
Changmin was well into his plot before he felt Kumi and Junsu’s minds appear in his close range and knew they were coming to him. He found himself wondering just what Junsu was like as he put his book away and went over to his desk to make a note in his journal about the newcomer. He was just finishing when Kumi knocked on his door and he said to enter.
Kumi took the moment to introduce them formally and this time Changmin took a better look over Junsu. Purple—the color surprised him, and so did the bright tones that echoed in his voice when he spoke. He felt nervousness, but also honesty and pure intentions coming from Junsu, and wondered just where this vampire had come from. Paired with Kumi, Changmin had to assume he was a spy as well and had appeared for some particular purpose.
“Changmin, Kim-san—”
“You can call me Junsu. Both of you,” he gave them a calm smile as they both nodded.
“Junsu-san has been sent here by my employer, but the purpose has not been made known to me, for her own reasons. I believe she is protecting me and my mission, as well as his. Just be aware that you have his complete and full trust, as you have mine,” she told him, and Changmin felt a weight lifted off of him as he sighed.
“Then you have my support,” Changmin answered with a nod as he felt relief roll off of Junsu.
“Thank you,” he replied with a smile.
“I’ll leave you two to discuss your ‘lessons,’” she said, using her hands to elaborate before she bid them farewell and slipped out of the door.
Changmin stared at the door for a moment before he looked to Junsu again. “I don’t suppose you can tell me what you’re supposed to be doing here?”
Amusement appeared as Junsu glanced down. “I don’t know why I’m here at the moment, but I can tell you that I’m supposed to observe and report as I come and go.” He smiled a little. “She said one can’t have too many spies.”
Changmin snorted. “You’d think one would suffice.”
Junsu shrugged. “Who am I to question?”
“Are you from Korea?” He was confused about all of this.
“Sort of. I lived in China before I came here. I am to move back and forth between here, other cities and China to keep Kame from suspecting me of working with Amuro-san,” he explained vaguely, to Changmin’s disappointment, even if he was honest the entire time. “I hope this won’t hinder my lessons from you. I might need those.”
Changmin resisted the urge to snort and allowed himself a ghost of a smile. He hadn’t been so amused by just one person. “As long as you practice while you’re gone, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I have to thank you for letting me steal your time,” Junsu replied with a slight bow.
“No problem. You’re probably the only person I’d enjoy stealing my time.” Changmin hadn’t meant to say that last bit out loud and felt his heart pounding as Junsu smiled, the feeling scaring him slightly.
“I promise I’ll be the best thief.” Junsu grinned.
Changmin nodded at this, unable to really vocalize a response.
What was this he was feeling?
~*~
Junsu liked Changmin immediately, but he didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way he came off so genuine when he helped Junsu in the court chamber. Despite this, he worried that Kame—as Kumi called him—really had broken him into a true pet. But somehow, he knew this wasn’t true. He didn’t act the way everyone else in this coven acted. Changmin was probably the only one who didn’t look at him like fresh meat. Even Kumi had mastered that look. Changmin’s looks only went as far as looked devoted to Kame, and staring at Junsu with interest, but not hunger. He much preferred being near Changmin to anyone else.
Japanese lessons started that day, as Changmin sat Junsu down and began to talk to him in Japanese, asking him questions to gauge what he knew and work on his pronunciation. All through that week, Junsu met with Changmin to work on his Japanese, and to just practice by talking. It took Changmin a full week to be able to relax more when Junsu was around and Junsu had expected him to take longer, since his guard was so strict to begin with. Junsu was glad that Changmin knew he was sincere in his quest for learning, and working for Namie, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell Changmin the real reason he was at the coven.
He had traveled up and down Japan, cautiously trying to find information on Kame’s coven. He hadn’t gotten off easily with his adventures in trying to find the vampires of this country. Once, he’d had a group attack him for asking too many questions that had nothing whatsoever to do with them, but Junsu was thankful for Junghyun training him in martial arts and gladly used it on these vampires to get away. While he was visiting Hokkaido, another vampire had found him and lured him into what turned out to be that vampire attacking him to try to take advantage of him. One more attack came from a coven that was a rival to Kame and Junsu had to get rid of his friendliness when dealing with vampires. He’d noticed they assumed kindness meant someone wanted something in return, and he couldn’t blame them.
He’d begun to search for information in all of the places that no one would go, and finally started to get somewhere. It was when he finally returned to Tokyo and helped that female vampire that he confirmed Kamenashi Kazuya’s biggest rival was Amuro Namie, who ran one of the other largest covens—catering to the sophisticated desires of most vampires—in Japan. Curious, Junsu investigated as best he could, but realized he needed to get inside. He’d learned well from his previous adventures and managed to get on her property without getting caught. For about an hour. But in that hour, he learned what kind of master and leader Amuro was, and immediately respected her much more than Kame.
When the guards finally caught him, Junsu demanded to see Amuro herself and prove that his intentions were honest. Refusing the request, Junsu was taken before her second in command and used his power in front of her to relate just who was going to come to the door next and what information they had. When it happened just as he claimed, she left in a hurry to summon Amuro to see him.
Amuro arrived with her guards in tow and told everyone to leave her alone with Junsu. They were hesitant at first, but when she insisted, they finally left the room, and the two staring at one another. She seemed frustrated by his presence and asked to know his intensions as she sat before him.
Junsu haphazardly spilled the entire tale to Amuro as she listened silently, never interrupting and always paying close attention as he spoke. He told her why he was changed, how his power manifested and what he had seen with his power. He then told her why he had come to Japan and how he knew he had to find this young man, but the only way he knew how was to find the Kamenashi figure. Her lips thinned at the mention of his name, and Junsu knew he was getting close. He was about to tell her how good he’d gotten at controlling his power when the fog came out of nowhere and struck him before he could even open his mouth.
What he saw disturbed him too much to keep quiet about, and knew he’d overheard her name for a reason. When the power let him go, she was saying his name and staring at him in worry. He then told her about the vision he’d just had and told her that the next man to walk in the room was an assassin, and if she didn’t put her hands in the proper place to keep him from killing her, that she definitely would die. Shocked by his claim, she was even more disturbed by the fact that it was one of her most trusted advisors that came into the room. She was obviously doubting him until the man moved into the position that Junsu had seen him move to in the dream, and he panicked. She had to believe him or she would be killed!
The other vampire moved too fast for Junsu, but not enough for Namie. There was a dagger stabbed through her hand, just as Junsu advised as she had taken matters into her own hands and put a dagger into her advisor’s neck before cutting out one side. Horrified, Junsu looked away, unable to watch as she finished him off, and then called for her guards to dispose of the body.
She demanded how he’d known about the attempt on her life, and she drilled him for two hours before throwing him in her dungeon when he was unable to give her what she considered a suitable explanation for his presence on her property. She didn’t trust him, and he couldn’t find it in him to blame her. Not only had he been found sneaking around on her property, but she’d had someone attempt to kill her while he was with her. Odds were truly not in his favor.
But things managed to change. Two weeks after he’d been put in the dungeons, Namie had him pulled out to tell her how a particular negotiation was going to go depending on the decision she would make. Using his power to follow her future, he read that sending two particular geisha in her employ as escorts would tip the scales in the other vampire’s mind. Interested by this, Namie took Junsu’s advice and moved him up to a slave position in her employ. It was another month before the treaty was approved and signed by both parties. Apparently, when the other vampire visited to deliver his thanks, he commented upon the company that he’d had sent to him saying those two were his favorite. He trusted Namie’s skills to know his preferences so well, and he approved the treaty.
Twice more Namie used Junsu’s advice and moved him up in status each time. She then sent him on two missions having to do with negotiations with vampires she was already in treaties with, to help with writing additions to the treaties. Each time, Junsu’s advice helped solidify the trust between the parties. He was especially good with speaking to the humans Namie had treaties with, since it seemed he had better people skills.
Half a year went by before Namie called on Junsu and asked him to sit down and explain to her why he was in Japan again. This time, he told the story slower, explaining everything in as much detail as he could. He’d realized last time, he’d been frantic to get it all out and find Kame, that it had probably seemed like he was determined to find Kame to kill him. Being imprisoned by Namie taught him that as a vampire, time was on his side. And Changmin wouldn’t be moving from where he was anyway, since Junsu was clearly able to still call visions of him when meditating.
Once he finished telling his travels to Namie, he added in all of the visions he’d had while staying in Namie’s coven, since he’d had quite a few. At last finished, Namie took a book out and held it out to Junsu—it was his journal.
“I added in the predictions you gave to me,” she’d told him. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”
“You did the responsible thing for your coven. I have to respect you for that,” he’d told her, very glad to have his journal back.
They’d lapsed into a silence before Namie broke it. “So, how do we go about finding your friend who lives under Kamenashi?”
Junsu had breathed a sigh of relief and they began to discuss ideas for his infiltration, which was how he found himself sitting in front of Changmin, reciting a particular phrase in Japanese to memorize and use in the future. He was glad he’d had the patience to go through his time with Namie. It had taught him some about how a coven worked—at least hers in particular—and how some vampires acted toward one another. It was nothing like Kame’s coven, but he learned to cope. He would be out of this coven soon enough and ‘traveling’ back to China. Hopefully, one of those times he would take Changmin with him and never return.
He also had to applaud Changmin. He’d feigned how bad his Japanese was initially, because he wanted to seem easy to trick to Kame. When Changmin had tested his knowledge, he’d found ways to circumvent Junsu’s ruse (either he was slipping or Changmin was good, he wasn’t sure) and find all of the things Junsu truly didn’t know about the Japanese language. It was nice to know someone could challenge him.
“Leaving tomorrow, right?” Changmin asked when they finished their session and Junsu nodded. “You really shouldn’t come back.”
Junsu glanced up to the worry on Changmin’s face. “Do you worry like this about Koda-san?”
Changmin’s eyes darted away. “I keep forgetting you have an assignment.”
“Maybe once, I can take you with me,” Junsu smiled softly, playing up the ignorance card. He still wasn’t sure if Changmin suspected him of knowing more.
Changmin snorted as he moved away to his wardrobe. “Kame would never let me out of here.”
“Ah, to be a pet.” Junsu commented as he went back to writing practice. He paused when he felt fear from behind him and turned to see Changmin watching him.
“You don’t want to be a pet,” he murmured quietly before he turned away to open the wardrobe.
Junsu was at his side in a flash and didn’t miss the flinch Changmin made. “I didn’t mean it like that. I understand your situation.”
“Do you?” Changmin asked, hurt.
He wasn’t supposed to know, not about all the things Kame had done to him. Only Changmin could know, and Junsu wished he could tell Changmin he did, but gaining more of Changmin’s trust was more important.
“I apologize,” he replied softly before he glanced at the clock. He needed to get Kumi’s report and take it with his own to Namie before getting to the docks. “If you need an ear to listen, one that’s not Koda-san, I’ll be here for you.”
Changmin blinked in astonishment as Junsu gave him a nod and turned away to collect his papers. The silence wasn’t awkward, but it was still there as Junsu opened the door, gave a slight bow to Changmin and slipped out of the room. He was almost to his room when a vision hit him of Changmin holding a fang hit him, and he wondered what it meant. The look on Changmin’s face had been soft—affectionate. Junsu’s heart pounded as he let himself into his room to gather his things.
He would get Changmin out.
But could he also steal his heart?
~***~
finally~ comments are ♥
Part 10
Author: LotusBeauty
Rating: R to NC-17
Pairings: Min+Su, Min+Kumi
Genre: AU, fantasy, romance/drama/emo (lots of emo)
Summary: Prequel to Feel and Redefine. This arc encompasses Changmin’s past; how he became a vampire and how he and Junsu met.
Notes: You don’t have to read the other two before you read this, but it would probably be a good idea to have some general vampire myths down.
Disclaimer: Not mine, never were.
Prologue
1: Cold
2: A Beautiful Lie
3: Haunted
4: Crawling
5: Away from the Sun
6: Daylight
7: Right Where it Belongs
8: Name
Part 9: Thief
Changmin frowned at the young ma—vampire standing in the middle of the room. He thought it was a man at first because his mannerisms seemed so human. He wore mostly greens, blues and browns, but nothing expensive. He also looked to be a traveler by the make of his clothing—Chinese he assumed, mixed with Japanese elements—and the way it was worn. The newcomer introduced himself as Kim Junsu and Changmin could do nothing but stare at the contradiction that this vampire was—a Korean vampire in Chinese clothing standing in one of the most powerful covens in Japan. His mind boggled, even if he didn’t show it. But as this Junsu spoke, Changmin could tell his Japanese needed some work. Obviously, he hadn’t been traveling in Japan for too long and wanted protection. He also kept glancing at Changmin, which made him wonder why, as the young vampire only seemed nervous. Maybe Changmin’s presence as a pet bothered this vampire, but he had to be familiar with the idea. His emotions didn’t seem to matter when it came to his voice though. The tones that Changmin heard harmonized so well with Junsu’s speaking that he was quite enthralled by it.
“Ishiko,” Kame called, effectively cutting off Junsu’s stuttering.
“Yes, Kamenashi-sama?” Changmin sat up from the position he was laying in to catch his master’s gaze.
“Go translate for the poor boy before I start correcting his horrible grammar,” Kame commanded as he unhooked his leash. “Your grasp of the Korean language hasn’t faded has it?”
“No, master,” Changmin replied as he stood fluidly and moved toward Junsu, who was… blushing at the insult? Who knew vampires could blush?
“Nice to meet you, I’m—” Changmin glanced at Kame who raised a curious eyebrow. Changmin went on, “Ishiko.” He waited as Junsu politely introduced himself and then went on in Korean, “I’ll translate for you.”
Junsu looked incredibly relieved. “Thank you.”
The rest of the interaction went smoothly as Changmin translated back and forth, not that Kame needed a translator. Junsu was indeed looking for shelter while traveling back and forth from areas in Japan to China and had decided coven protection would be perfect for a permanent place to stay while in Japan. Kame turned to discuss this with his advisors, which he always did for effect, then turned back to Junsu and agreed to shelter him.
When asked what the payment would be, Kame replied, “We can determine that later.” Changmin blinked in surprise before he relayed the translation.
“Is that normal?” Junsu asked quietly.
“It is not,” Changmin replied, wondering just what Kame was up to. It was usually straightforward haggling when it came to letting travelers stay in his coven. Kame did it frequently over the course of a year. Sometimes a vampire would even come to renegotiate to try to change the price. He’d never heard Kame suggest waiting to get his payment. The only reason he might wait was…
He wasn’t blind to the way Kame’s eyes raked over Junsu, the way they had been on him when he’d first come into this chamber so many years ago. Then he felt it—desire coming in waves from Kame. Changmin had grown used to the way Kame’s feelings swayed, so he hadn’t noticed it before, but his intentions were now obvious. The attention on the traveler made Changmin bristle in apprehension for him. Kame was going to collect the payment himself and somehow, Changmin couldn’t bring himself to let that happen. This vampire must not have been one long, and Kame wanted to break him, preying on his naivety.
“An open ended deal such as this is not in your favor. I advise you not to take it,” Changmin hissed at Junsu who gave him a frown of worry.
“But, I need—”
“Do we have a deal?” Kame interrupted with a smile dripping with contentment and fake sincerity—it made Changmin want to gag.
“Don’t do this. It is a trap.” Changmin insisted.
Junsu gave him a look of confusion, then determination before he looked to Kame. “I accept.”
“Splendid!” Kame’s voice rang out as Changmin felt his heart fall through his feet as his master stood to approach them. “Koda-san will assist you and get you settled into one of the guest rooms, won’t you?” he asked as she stepped forward to bow.
“I shall,” she gave Junsu a coy smile as the traveler looked her over with astonishment. She was dressed to kill today, and Changmin had to admit, it was rather jaw dropping when one saw it for the first time. The chimes in her hair made soft sounds as she nodded to Junsu and he did the same.
“And Ishiko shall attend you as well,” Kame rested his hand at the back of Changmin’s neck as he gaped in surprise at his master. “We can’t have you not being able to communicate with the staff without learning better Japanese, and he will be the one to teach you, and occupy you if you wish.”
Changmin wasn’t deceived and tried to think of a way for this to come out in Junsu’s favor as the traveler gratefully accepted the assistance. All of this put Junsu in debt to Kame, and Changmin’s hate for Kame’s methods resurfaced. He would have to find a way to convince Junsu not to come back once he left to travel again.
Kame drew him away as Kumi flirted with Junsu. “Your jealousy becomes you, my pet,” Kame’s voice purred into his ear. “I might reward you with him if you behave. Would you like that?”
He almost laughed at how off the mark Kame was. It hit him that if he could play along, he would get Junsu to himself, where he could tell the vampire to get the hell out while he still could. “I would, Kamenashi-sama.”
“Good.” Kame smiled and with a squeeze to Changmin’s shoulder, led him back to his seat. Kumi took Junsu to the side as proceedings resumed as usual and Changmin did his best to ignore Junsu, no matter how much he wanted to watch the visitor. He had to act like he was jealous for Kame, yet he wondered if he should try to show an interest in Junsu to make it seem like he wanted Junsu as well. He couldn’t decide which way he wanted to play it. He then stole a glance at the vampire out of curiosity and saw Junsu’s eyes on him. He flicked his gaze away feeling uneasy, not knowing why he felt so.
When the session ended, Kame led Changmin out by his leash and he snuck a glance at Junsu to see Kumi herding him toward one of the exits. Once in Kame’s private chambers, the leader rattled off a few things to his servants before turning to Changmin.
“I want you to watch him,” he said as he poured himself a cup, the scent making Changmin’s nostrils flare. He was thirsty. “He must have heard my name somewhere. I want you to find out where, or if he’s working for someone and what his intention is regardless.”
“Yes, Kamenashi-sama,” Changmin said with a bow before retreating for the door.
“And Koishii?” Kame called as Changmin’s hand rested on the door handle.
“Yes?” He glanced back at the leader to see a smirk on his lips.
“I won’t mind if you get attached. I have a mind to keep him.”
Once he was out the door, a shiver of worry ran down his spine. He had to find Kumi.
Searching through the corridors, Changmin stopped at Kumi’s quarters to find she wasn’t there, and went on his way. He finally found Kumi with Junsu in a common area where people met. He watched from near the entrance as Junsu led Kumi to a quiet corner and pulled something out of his pack for her. Junsu opened his hand to reveal a lotus flower as Kumi’s lips formed an ‘o’ of surprise. She looked at him, then back to the flower before accepting it as she carefully took it in her hands. Changmin had to wonder what it meant, or if it had a particular meaning where he was from. Her face turned serious as she gazed at the flower, and said something Changmin couldn’t hear from where he was. But she turned cheerful again as she thanked him and then caught Changmin’s gaze from across the room.
“Ishiko.” Kumi greeted him with a smile. “Kim-san here is so wonderful. He gave me a lotus flower!” She held it up for him to see and he inspected it with raised eyebrows, feigning interest.
“Beautiful,” he replied honestly. He could at least admit this without lying.
“His intentions must be pure,” Kumi said then, catching Changmin’s attention and she gave him a look that he knew meant something more. “Once I get Junsu settled into his rooms, shall I send him to you so you may discuss when you will meet for his Japanese lessons, and maybe find out if you two might enjoy one another’s company?”
“Yes, that would be fine,” Changmin answered as Junsu nodded. He caught Junsu’s eyes again before Kumi led him away, a feeling of nervousness claiming Changmin’s chest again. He had to wonder if he could pull off getting the vampire to trust him. Then again, if Junsu was easily agreeing to something with Kame, it shouldn’t be too difficult. He just had to be sincere, and he damn well knew he wanted someone who didn’t deserve this life to be out.
Changmin made his way back to his room and picked out a book to read while he waited for Kumi to waste all of Junsu’s time by showing him around the complex and flirting with him. She was a fabulous escort, he’d learned that over the years he’d been here. She was also good in bed, and if Junsu was smart, he’d take advantage of it before Changmin drove him out of the coven. He then had to wonder why in the world he even cared, but he shrugged it off as he opened his book.
Changmin was well into his plot before he felt Kumi and Junsu’s minds appear in his close range and knew they were coming to him. He found himself wondering just what Junsu was like as he put his book away and went over to his desk to make a note in his journal about the newcomer. He was just finishing when Kumi knocked on his door and he said to enter.
Kumi took the moment to introduce them formally and this time Changmin took a better look over Junsu. Purple—the color surprised him, and so did the bright tones that echoed in his voice when he spoke. He felt nervousness, but also honesty and pure intentions coming from Junsu, and wondered just where this vampire had come from. Paired with Kumi, Changmin had to assume he was a spy as well and had appeared for some particular purpose.
“Changmin, Kim-san—”
“You can call me Junsu. Both of you,” he gave them a calm smile as they both nodded.
“Junsu-san has been sent here by my employer, but the purpose has not been made known to me, for her own reasons. I believe she is protecting me and my mission, as well as his. Just be aware that you have his complete and full trust, as you have mine,” she told him, and Changmin felt a weight lifted off of him as he sighed.
“Then you have my support,” Changmin answered with a nod as he felt relief roll off of Junsu.
“Thank you,” he replied with a smile.
“I’ll leave you two to discuss your ‘lessons,’” she said, using her hands to elaborate before she bid them farewell and slipped out of the door.
Changmin stared at the door for a moment before he looked to Junsu again. “I don’t suppose you can tell me what you’re supposed to be doing here?”
Amusement appeared as Junsu glanced down. “I don’t know why I’m here at the moment, but I can tell you that I’m supposed to observe and report as I come and go.” He smiled a little. “She said one can’t have too many spies.”
Changmin snorted. “You’d think one would suffice.”
Junsu shrugged. “Who am I to question?”
“Are you from Korea?” He was confused about all of this.
“Sort of. I lived in China before I came here. I am to move back and forth between here, other cities and China to keep Kame from suspecting me of working with Amuro-san,” he explained vaguely, to Changmin’s disappointment, even if he was honest the entire time. “I hope this won’t hinder my lessons from you. I might need those.”
Changmin resisted the urge to snort and allowed himself a ghost of a smile. He hadn’t been so amused by just one person. “As long as you practice while you’re gone, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I have to thank you for letting me steal your time,” Junsu replied with a slight bow.
“No problem. You’re probably the only person I’d enjoy stealing my time.” Changmin hadn’t meant to say that last bit out loud and felt his heart pounding as Junsu smiled, the feeling scaring him slightly.
“I promise I’ll be the best thief.” Junsu grinned.
Changmin nodded at this, unable to really vocalize a response.
What was this he was feeling?
~*~
Junsu liked Changmin immediately, but he didn’t know why. Maybe it was the way he came off so genuine when he helped Junsu in the court chamber. Despite this, he worried that Kame—as Kumi called him—really had broken him into a true pet. But somehow, he knew this wasn’t true. He didn’t act the way everyone else in this coven acted. Changmin was probably the only one who didn’t look at him like fresh meat. Even Kumi had mastered that look. Changmin’s looks only went as far as looked devoted to Kame, and staring at Junsu with interest, but not hunger. He much preferred being near Changmin to anyone else.
Japanese lessons started that day, as Changmin sat Junsu down and began to talk to him in Japanese, asking him questions to gauge what he knew and work on his pronunciation. All through that week, Junsu met with Changmin to work on his Japanese, and to just practice by talking. It took Changmin a full week to be able to relax more when Junsu was around and Junsu had expected him to take longer, since his guard was so strict to begin with. Junsu was glad that Changmin knew he was sincere in his quest for learning, and working for Namie, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell Changmin the real reason he was at the coven.
He had traveled up and down Japan, cautiously trying to find information on Kame’s coven. He hadn’t gotten off easily with his adventures in trying to find the vampires of this country. Once, he’d had a group attack him for asking too many questions that had nothing whatsoever to do with them, but Junsu was thankful for Junghyun training him in martial arts and gladly used it on these vampires to get away. While he was visiting Hokkaido, another vampire had found him and lured him into what turned out to be that vampire attacking him to try to take advantage of him. One more attack came from a coven that was a rival to Kame and Junsu had to get rid of his friendliness when dealing with vampires. He’d noticed they assumed kindness meant someone wanted something in return, and he couldn’t blame them.
He’d begun to search for information in all of the places that no one would go, and finally started to get somewhere. It was when he finally returned to Tokyo and helped that female vampire that he confirmed Kamenashi Kazuya’s biggest rival was Amuro Namie, who ran one of the other largest covens—catering to the sophisticated desires of most vampires—in Japan. Curious, Junsu investigated as best he could, but realized he needed to get inside. He’d learned well from his previous adventures and managed to get on her property without getting caught. For about an hour. But in that hour, he learned what kind of master and leader Amuro was, and immediately respected her much more than Kame.
When the guards finally caught him, Junsu demanded to see Amuro herself and prove that his intentions were honest. Refusing the request, Junsu was taken before her second in command and used his power in front of her to relate just who was going to come to the door next and what information they had. When it happened just as he claimed, she left in a hurry to summon Amuro to see him.
Amuro arrived with her guards in tow and told everyone to leave her alone with Junsu. They were hesitant at first, but when she insisted, they finally left the room, and the two staring at one another. She seemed frustrated by his presence and asked to know his intensions as she sat before him.
Junsu haphazardly spilled the entire tale to Amuro as she listened silently, never interrupting and always paying close attention as he spoke. He told her why he was changed, how his power manifested and what he had seen with his power. He then told her why he had come to Japan and how he knew he had to find this young man, but the only way he knew how was to find the Kamenashi figure. Her lips thinned at the mention of his name, and Junsu knew he was getting close. He was about to tell her how good he’d gotten at controlling his power when the fog came out of nowhere and struck him before he could even open his mouth.
What he saw disturbed him too much to keep quiet about, and knew he’d overheard her name for a reason. When the power let him go, she was saying his name and staring at him in worry. He then told her about the vision he’d just had and told her that the next man to walk in the room was an assassin, and if she didn’t put her hands in the proper place to keep him from killing her, that she definitely would die. Shocked by his claim, she was even more disturbed by the fact that it was one of her most trusted advisors that came into the room. She was obviously doubting him until the man moved into the position that Junsu had seen him move to in the dream, and he panicked. She had to believe him or she would be killed!
The other vampire moved too fast for Junsu, but not enough for Namie. There was a dagger stabbed through her hand, just as Junsu advised as she had taken matters into her own hands and put a dagger into her advisor’s neck before cutting out one side. Horrified, Junsu looked away, unable to watch as she finished him off, and then called for her guards to dispose of the body.
She demanded how he’d known about the attempt on her life, and she drilled him for two hours before throwing him in her dungeon when he was unable to give her what she considered a suitable explanation for his presence on her property. She didn’t trust him, and he couldn’t find it in him to blame her. Not only had he been found sneaking around on her property, but she’d had someone attempt to kill her while he was with her. Odds were truly not in his favor.
But things managed to change. Two weeks after he’d been put in the dungeons, Namie had him pulled out to tell her how a particular negotiation was going to go depending on the decision she would make. Using his power to follow her future, he read that sending two particular geisha in her employ as escorts would tip the scales in the other vampire’s mind. Interested by this, Namie took Junsu’s advice and moved him up to a slave position in her employ. It was another month before the treaty was approved and signed by both parties. Apparently, when the other vampire visited to deliver his thanks, he commented upon the company that he’d had sent to him saying those two were his favorite. He trusted Namie’s skills to know his preferences so well, and he approved the treaty.
Twice more Namie used Junsu’s advice and moved him up in status each time. She then sent him on two missions having to do with negotiations with vampires she was already in treaties with, to help with writing additions to the treaties. Each time, Junsu’s advice helped solidify the trust between the parties. He was especially good with speaking to the humans Namie had treaties with, since it seemed he had better people skills.
Half a year went by before Namie called on Junsu and asked him to sit down and explain to her why he was in Japan again. This time, he told the story slower, explaining everything in as much detail as he could. He’d realized last time, he’d been frantic to get it all out and find Kame, that it had probably seemed like he was determined to find Kame to kill him. Being imprisoned by Namie taught him that as a vampire, time was on his side. And Changmin wouldn’t be moving from where he was anyway, since Junsu was clearly able to still call visions of him when meditating.
Once he finished telling his travels to Namie, he added in all of the visions he’d had while staying in Namie’s coven, since he’d had quite a few. At last finished, Namie took a book out and held it out to Junsu—it was his journal.
“I added in the predictions you gave to me,” she’d told him. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”
“You did the responsible thing for your coven. I have to respect you for that,” he’d told her, very glad to have his journal back.
They’d lapsed into a silence before Namie broke it. “So, how do we go about finding your friend who lives under Kamenashi?”
Junsu had breathed a sigh of relief and they began to discuss ideas for his infiltration, which was how he found himself sitting in front of Changmin, reciting a particular phrase in Japanese to memorize and use in the future. He was glad he’d had the patience to go through his time with Namie. It had taught him some about how a coven worked—at least hers in particular—and how some vampires acted toward one another. It was nothing like Kame’s coven, but he learned to cope. He would be out of this coven soon enough and ‘traveling’ back to China. Hopefully, one of those times he would take Changmin with him and never return.
He also had to applaud Changmin. He’d feigned how bad his Japanese was initially, because he wanted to seem easy to trick to Kame. When Changmin had tested his knowledge, he’d found ways to circumvent Junsu’s ruse (either he was slipping or Changmin was good, he wasn’t sure) and find all of the things Junsu truly didn’t know about the Japanese language. It was nice to know someone could challenge him.
“Leaving tomorrow, right?” Changmin asked when they finished their session and Junsu nodded. “You really shouldn’t come back.”
Junsu glanced up to the worry on Changmin’s face. “Do you worry like this about Koda-san?”
Changmin’s eyes darted away. “I keep forgetting you have an assignment.”
“Maybe once, I can take you with me,” Junsu smiled softly, playing up the ignorance card. He still wasn’t sure if Changmin suspected him of knowing more.
Changmin snorted as he moved away to his wardrobe. “Kame would never let me out of here.”
“Ah, to be a pet.” Junsu commented as he went back to writing practice. He paused when he felt fear from behind him and turned to see Changmin watching him.
“You don’t want to be a pet,” he murmured quietly before he turned away to open the wardrobe.
Junsu was at his side in a flash and didn’t miss the flinch Changmin made. “I didn’t mean it like that. I understand your situation.”
“Do you?” Changmin asked, hurt.
He wasn’t supposed to know, not about all the things Kame had done to him. Only Changmin could know, and Junsu wished he could tell Changmin he did, but gaining more of Changmin’s trust was more important.
“I apologize,” he replied softly before he glanced at the clock. He needed to get Kumi’s report and take it with his own to Namie before getting to the docks. “If you need an ear to listen, one that’s not Koda-san, I’ll be here for you.”
Changmin blinked in astonishment as Junsu gave him a nod and turned away to collect his papers. The silence wasn’t awkward, but it was still there as Junsu opened the door, gave a slight bow to Changmin and slipped out of the room. He was almost to his room when a vision hit him of Changmin holding a fang hit him, and he wondered what it meant. The look on Changmin’s face had been soft—affectionate. Junsu’s heart pounded as he let himself into his room to gather his things.
He would get Changmin out.
But could he also steal his heart?
~***~
finally~ comments are ♥
Part 10
