(no subject)

[rabenhorst]

Title: The thin line between fate, coincidence and stupidity; Chapter 2
Author: seinen_no and fonulyn
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Die and Kaoru
Disclaimer: We own no one, only our dirty imaginations.
Comments:
seinen_no: Heya girls! Am I supposed to say something coherent here? I think not. I've been in bed at 9am and I'm kinda tired, so I spare you my babbling and instead wish you fun while reading^^ I like the two of them getting to know each other better….

fonulyn: This took longer than I thought it would, and I could give you a dozen of excuses why it took so long x) But I won’t go there, and I’ll only tell you to enjoy^^

Previously happened: Part 1




The thin line between fate, coincidence and stupidity
Chapter 2


Although Die tried to be cool, act as if he didn't care, his eyes widened at that statement and he stilled in his movement. Pleased, Kaoru noticed the effect and let go of him. "Are you willing to rest a bit now?" he asked teasingly, stressing the verb unnecessarily much.

With a sigh the human gave in, nodding a bit but still not making a move to get into the bunk to get some sleep. "What now?" the vampire asked, partly annoyed, partly amused. "Shall I read you a good night story?"

Before Die noticed what was happening, he was lifted off the ground and carried to the bed. The fact why he had been so reluctant was that there was only one bed for both of them. "And now sleep!" Kaoru demanded, suppressing a few chuckles. "I won't bite."

"Yeah, right." Die turned his back at him, trying to shift to the edge as much as he could to get some space between them. A part of him just wanted to turn closer though, but he discarded the thought almost before it came to his mind.

"You're a pain in the ass." The vampire uttered and closed his eyes. In fact, the other's proximity made him nervous and he felt his mind direct every sense at the warm body which lay so close. However, he managed to calm down, needing to sleep and be ready for the last trip until they would reach the ship. There, he wouldn't have to be on the watch all the time, because there was no way for the redhead to escape.

Die couldn't help but to grin a bit at the words. It took him long to relax though, the body near him making him somehow nervous all along. But he was still exhausted and after a while drifted off as well. Deep in his sleep he even turned around and rolled closer to the vampire, although if he had noticed it he would have quickly inched away again.

The inner clock woke Kaoru when the sun was about to set outside and delivered the world to the vital darkness. If he had had a heart, it would've skipped a few beats when he felt that Die lay curled around his back, one arm loosely wrapped around his waist. Something else that was typical for the human nature. They were seeking closeness, human contact. And although he wasn't just that, it made him smile.

Anxious so that the other didn't notice it, he slid away and stood up. For some reason he didn't want the nice feeling inside him to be destroyed by the disgust or embarrassment that would be shown in the redhead's eyes once he noticed what he had subconsciously done.

It only took a short moment before Die noticed somehow that he was alone now, and it made him stir and eventually open his eyes. He didn't even realize where he was right away, but as he spotted the figure standing a few steps away, it all came back to him.

"Get ready. We slept long and there's not much time. You will have to eat in the carriage." Kaoru didn't turn around, but he felt that the human was awake, heard it in the different breathing and the faster beating heart.

There wasn't much for the redhead to do, since his few belongings were already in the carriage and he would've only needed to eat something. But as there apparently was no time for that either, he was ready almost instantly.

When he stepped closer, the creature turned around, grinning again. "You would urgently need a bath though. You're filthy and smelly. But thanks to your little escapades, this will have to wait until we're in England."

"Just hold your breath." Die grinned, shaking his head a bit. "It shouldn't bother you too much if I smell."

"I don't breathe." The vampire reminded chuckling and brought his face close to the redhead, sniffing teasingly. "But one can smell you a mile against the wind."

The door was opened and swiftly he stepped outside. A boy handed Die a small basket with food and led them to the yard. It was pouring and inwardly Kaoru asked himself why the sun had been shining so brightly that day while the night only showed its worst possible face.

Soon they were in the carriage again, and the redhead sighed as he was beginning to hate the damn thing already. Just sitting in it without anything to do was hard on him as he'd never been one to stay in one place for long. And he wasn't even able to look outside through the dark windows.

"Aren't you hungry?" Kaoru asked after some time, nodding at the basked the redhead was still clutching tightly. He felt with him as he hated being trapped in this thing as well. The thought of a long journey by boat didn't brighten his mood either, but there was nothing he could do against it.

"Hm?" Die snapped back to reality from his thoughts as he heard the other's voice, and only then remembered the basket in his hands. "Oh, yeah." He was indeed hungry, not having eaten much lately. So he opened the basket, digging out a sandwich and taking a huge bite.

At that moment, the vampire wished he would be human and could actually live on such simple things as a bit of bread and cheese. It's been the second day since he had had blood and although he could survive longer without, he was already craving for it. The boat trip would be hard on him, because he could only hunt at the harbors. Other than that, there would only be rats and mice for him, because he couldn't go after the crew. It would be too dangerous.

Automatically the young man almost offered some of the food to his companion, but only at the last moment realized he wouldn't need it. He had already been reaching his hand towards the other to offer the basket, but now withdrew it with a slight, hardly noticeable blush appearing on his cheeks.

The gesture didn't pass Kaoru by unnoticed though and it elicited a pleasant feeling, something equalling gratefulness, inside him and caused his stomach to twitch. He nodded a bit to thank Die and smiled apologetically because he couldn't share the food with him.

Die felt a bit stupid though, and just ate for a moment in silence before deciding he could spare the rest for later. He was slightly nervous too, since he didn't know what he was supposed to think of the other. He wanted to hate him, but at the moment he almost felt like they were just innocently travelling together. And Kaoru didn't feel the usual disgust toward him which he felt for humans usually. Quite the contrary, he was attracted by the redhead and even admired the strength with which he dealt with the fact that he was supposed to die soon.

"Aren't you afraid?" he suddenly asked, the question slipping him unintentionally.

Again the young man startled a bit, seemingly lost in thoughts almost all the time. "I am." He admitted honestly, not seeing a reason to lie. "But what good would it do to me to think about it?"

"I don't know." The vampire shrugged and smiled a bit. "Others would've begged for their life already, would've promised me anything to let them go."

"And would you?" Die arched an eyebrow.

Kaoru already opened his mouth, ready to shake his head, but froze in the movement. Fact was, that he didn't know the answer himself, had no idea how he would react if this exceptional human being would kneel down in front of him and ask him to spare his life. Probably, he would give in, melt away under the gaze of those warm brown eyes.

"Even if I wanted, I couldn't." He finally replied honestly. It was the truth. His master would hunt down both of them and he wouldn't grant either a painless, quick death.

"See," The redhead had waited for that answer, because in his eyes Kaoru seemed to be the unbreakable. "So I save both our nerves." The truth also was that he wouldn't beg for his life in any situation probably, it just didn't go with his nature.

There was something wordly-wise in the boy's appearance, something that made him appear older than he was. Almost like the vampire himself. "I think I should thank you for that then." He answered and dug out a smile although he didn't feel like it. As much as he despised humans who begged for their lives shamelessly, he would've wanted to know his own reaction towards it if this particular human did it.

"Yeah you should." Die dug out a rather believable grin. "And get me something else to eat than these dry breads all the time." Somehow it calmed him down to talk with the other, be it only a shallow conversation like this.

"What would you want to eat if you had the choice?" The vampire asked curiously.

"I dunno." The redhead fell silent for a moment, thinking. "Probably some sort of meat dish. Meat is expensive."

"How about grapes? Grapes are unaffordable." Kaoru smiled. He had no use for money as he had collected so much over the centuries that he could practically buy everything he wanted.

"I've never even eaten those." Die looked him seriously in the eye. His parents hadn't been poor, but not rich in any way either.

"I see." The smile on the vampire's lips widened, but not in a mocking way, just in an indulgent manner. "Then you will have to taste them once. Before-" This time, he couldn't say it anymore, didn't want to think about the other's death for a few moments.

"Yeah," The young man nodded, the small smile back on his face. "That would be an experience at least."

Time flew by as the two kept the conversation going. Kaoru learned about Die's childhood, learned how the other children had avoided and mocked him due to his naturally red hair and how they had almost accused him of having a pact with the devil himself. In return, he told Die a bit about his own life, about how he was when he had been human and about how he had become a vampire.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped and Kaoru took a deep breath, smelling the salty and fishy scent of the harbor. "We're there." He announced smiling and then added. "You will go on that ship and wait there until I follow. Don't try anything. You know what will come of it."

The vampire even made sure that his companion went into the ship and into the small cabin that was ready there for both of them. As the redhead still hadn't given up on his intentions to escape, he just waited for the right moment. When Kaoru had gone, he sneaked out of the small room, intending on trying to make his way off the ship.

Suddenly, a huge caucasian sailor blocked his way. "Where to lad?" he asked grinning and grabbed Die's upper arm. "The lord told us to look after ya, not to let ya go." Grinning, he measured the slender boy's figure. "Should be careful lad. Here's many who'd love to lay their hands on something smooth like you."

Die couldn't believe what he was hearing, and suddenly felt enormously uncomfortable with the sailor's eyes on him, as well as couple of other's who were standing close by. Swiftly, he yanked his arm free and tried to look as firm as possible. "So you won't let me get off the ship?"

"I'd help you get off something else!" One of the other sailors yelled, but the one who stood in front of him only shook his head. "No, won't let you get away from the ship. Sorry lad, but the lord paid well." He lowered his voice conspiratorial. "And there's something weird about him..."

"Of course there is..." The young man shook his head, his shoulders falling a bit as he noticed to his disappointment nothing could be done. The stares he got were beginning to be overly disturbing though, and he decided to flee back to the small cabin.

Kaoru was even a bit surprised to find him there when he returned from his small excursion. "Didn't try to run?" he asked while he filled a bowl with water and stripped off his shirt to clean himself and get rid of the dried blood on his face. "And I already thought I would have to hunt you down again."

"I tried." Die confessed, sitting in the farmost corner of the bed, hugging his legs close to his chest. "But those big ugly sailors didn't let me."

"So they were worth their money for once." The vampire chuckled a bit due to the other's choice of words. "Did those huge ugly sailors threaten you?" he asked teasingly with a mocking undertone.

"I didn't quite like the looks they gave me." The redhead shrugged, an unpleasant shiver running down his spine at the memory.

"What kind of looks? Like they'd kill you? I told them they would be doomed if there was one scratch on you." Kaoru turned around, enquiring the young man with his gaze, something like anger laced in it.

"Well, I don't think they wanted to kill me exactly." Somehow Die felt a bit embarrassed, averting his gaze and blushing a tiny bit.

"But they didn't hurt you, did they?" The vampire sounded almost worried and took a step towards the redhead, trying to see if he was wounded or so.

"No," The human shook his head at the question. It was weird how the other seemed to be even worried, and Die couldn't deny it felt nice in a way. "If you don't count my hurt pride."

"Your pride?" Now Kaoru was truly curious and he stepped very close to him, his gaze fastened on his counterpart's. "Now tell me... what happened?" He sounded a bit like a child that wanted to know every single detail about something.

"Nothing worse than some dirty looks," The redhead shrugged, grinning a bit at him. "But I didn't want to gain those either."

Kaoru made a mock-compassionate sound. "Aw, but you should be proud of those instead the other way around. At least those guys recognize true beauty when they see it."

"Just shut up." The young man tried to force the blush away, and looked away, directing his gaze to the floor.

The reaction caused the vampire to giggle quite childishly and he leaned a bit forward in a conspiratorial manner. "I guess I cancel the captain's dinner for you then, right? Or shall I see if I find a nice dress for you to wear?"

"I told you to shut up!" Die tried to hit his shoulder slightly, but couldn't prevent a small smile finding its way to his lips. "And I don't leave this room. Ever."

"Not even if I accompany you?" The mocking undertone in Kaoru's voice was gone and he tilted his head, curiously waiting for an answer.

Die thought for a moment, before nodding. "Well, maybe." He knew the vampire was supposed to protect his life at least, and he trusted he didn't want the sailors to harm him in any other way either.

The answer was enough to elicit an honest smile from the purple-haired creature. Although it was only because of the weird situation, it was still nice to know somebody trusted him at least a bit. Suddenly, he became dead serious, his voice sounding ceremonical. "I promise they won't harm you. As long as you stick with me, you shall be safe from them."

"But who's going to protect me from you?" The question escaped Die half unintentionally, but he didn't even try to take it back and only stared at Kaoru. He trusted that the vampire would keep the sailors away, but what would prevent him from having whatever he wanted as long as it wouldn't kill him?

Kaoru smiled cockily. The redhead had every right to ask that and after what had happened, he even had the right to fear he could demand more once. Holding the gaze with sincerity in his eyes, he nodded slowly. "Yes, right. I promise I won't do anything against your will." Smirking, he added. "Now do with that whatever you want. You can either trust me or not, it doesn't make any difference."

"I guess it makes me feel better if I do." Die shrugged, and indeed there was something in the vampire that made him want to believe him. But his main concern now was the sailors, and from them he'd at least be safe.

Again, the answer made Kaoru chuckle and he turned away from the redhead, back to the bowl. After he was done with cleaning himself up, he slipped under the covers of the bed. Even though a vampire, he still enjoyed the softness of a nice mattress. "Well, it's a pity. Upstairs, there would've been a cabin just for you with a view outside." He lifted his head, smirking. "But I figure you don't want to go there alone now, do you?"

Indeed, feeling compassionate with the human, he had wanted to do him a favor by granting him the view at the sun as often as possible since there was no way for him to escape the ship at sea anyways.

Die sighed deep, the thought of even such a small thing as a window sounded really tempting. He didn't want to risk it though, remembering the looks he had gotten from the sailors, and so he shook his head. "I don't think I'll go there." He eyed the room, slightly desperate even. It was small, so small that living there together with the two of them would be oppressing.

"I'm sorry." Kaoru truly meant it and slid to one side of the bed, making room for the young man at the other. "But don't worry. I will talk to them tomorrow night and make clear that you're not to be harmed."

"It's okay. I can still go out for a moment during the day. I don't think they'll jump me immediately." With another small sigh the redhead lay down as well, carefully staying in his own side of the bed.

"Just be careful. I can't protect you during daylight." The vampire turned his back at him and closed his eyes. He had fed well and was now blissfully tired. Usually, it would disturb him to know somebody else lay so close, but the redhead only made him nervous otherwise. He still managed to push the confusing thoughts and forgotten emotions to the background and slowly calmed down, soon drifting off.

Die couldn't help but to be nervous as well, since technically his only safety here was a man who had forced him to come with him, taking him from his whole life. And still he trusted the vampire to a certain point for some strange reason. Thinking it might be the best to sleep when the other slept, he closed his eyes, intending on getting some rest. And maybe time would pass by faster then.

This time, Kaoru didn't sleep that long and woke up long before sundown. He stood up and sat down at a small table in the corner of the room. A flickering candel being the only light, he began to read a book, casting a short glance at the sleeping human every now and then as if to make sure he was still there.

Once fallen asleep, the redhead slept like a stone and for long. Even when he was already awake he didn't want to open his eyes and to land back to reality. Just for a moment longer he could live in the dreamworld.

The purple-haired man had closed the book longest, unable to focus on it while he could use the moment to study the human being intensely, imprinting every expression into his memory. In his mind, the fight began again. A fight over the rights and wrongs about his mission.

It wasn't about the redhead's life; or then it was, but not in the first place. At least this was what he tried to make himself believe. It was about this 'endless power' thing. What would happen to him and the world if his master achieved such kind of power? What would he do with it? He was evil, cold-blooded to the bone and had left every sign of humanity behind him.

Die was completely unaware of the thoughts running through the vampire's mind as he opened his eyes finally, instinctively smiling a bit at the other. He noticed he was hungry again, and heaved himself up to a seated position, before looking around. "Anything to eat around here?"

"Despite you?" Kaoru asked teasingly. "I think not. But the sun has sunk already and if you want, we can go upstairs and have dinner."

"I could definitely use something." The redhead nodded instantly, thinking that there was nothing better than food to distract from unwanted thoughts.

They went upstairs and this time when Die met the same sailors who had dropped those insinuating comments, they remained silent and quickly hurried away, pretending there was some work waiting for them. It was as if everybody only tried to avoid the vampire's proximity, as if the knew he wasn't human.

However, Kaoru determinedly led the way to the small dining room where dinner was already waiting for them. It wasn't fancy, but still smelled good for the redhead. Meat, gravy, potatoes and some carrots. Nobody attended them, because Kaoru had told the captain to leave him alone with his 'guest' when he had booked the passage.

Seeing and smelling the food caused Die instantly to get even more hungry, and he quickly took a seat and attacked the food he was given. To him it tasted like a heavenly meal, and he thought inwardly that at least one good thing had come of this trip; he got to eat well. This time, Kaoru granted himself the pleasure of having a glass of wine. At least the remembrance of what a drink like that had elicited in him when he had been human still made him feel almost normal for a moment.

Smiling, he watched the redhead shovelling food into his mouth, hardly chewing at all. "You know, nobody will steal it from you. You can take your time and enjoy it."

Grinning slightly the young man shook his head, taking another bite instantly. "But one never knows what happens. So better be swift."

"I don't understand you humans. You can't take the time to relish beautiful things, always rushing and never slowing down." The vampire tilted his head, looking at the other curiously. "Isn't it better to enjoy something completely without knowing if anything bad happens than to rush things and still don't know it? With the first option, you die with the remembrance of having sampled a moment's pleasure to the fullest. With the second you only die with a full stomach. What's better?"

Die slowed down with his eating, thinking of what the other just said. "But the human life is short. And I guess we're just trying to make the time be enough for everything, kinda wanting to go through as much as possible within the time limit."

"But that would only make sense if you had a chance to do everything imaginable." Delighted, Kaoru noticed the effect his words had on the young man and he reached for a small bowl on the table which was covered with a cloth and had been disregarded by the other so far. "When you hurry, you might overlook the most important things." Smiling, he tugged away the cloth and revealed a bunch of juicy, round white grapes.

Die couldn't hide the glimmer in his eyes as he noticed those, and instinctively reached out his hand to take one. He hesitated though, and turned to look at his counterpart, silently asking for permission.

"Go on." The creature nodded. "They are all for you." It had cost him quite a bit to get those before leaving the harbor, but he had wanted Die to taste them, wanted to know if he liked the rare fruit.

Carefully the redhead took one, only one though, and put it into his mouth to taste it. His movements were all slow, as if he had subconsciously registered the other's words that there was no hurry.

Kaoru swallowed dryly, his eyes glued to Die's beautiful, lush lips. He had to admit that he would've gladly switched places with the grape at that moment and inwardly asked himself if the insides of the redhead's mouth tasted as well as his neck or maybe even better.

Die took his time with the grape, and was smiling softly as he finally swallowed it. This was something special to him, since he would've never gotten the chance to try those if he had staid home. Carefully he reached for more, after all, those were all promised for him.

"Like them?" Kaoru asked with an indulgent smile. He enjoyed the display of delight on the other's face almost as much as if it was his own, but wanted to hear what the redhead would have to say.

"Yeah," The answer came with a small nod. "A lot." And it was the truth.

"I knew you have some taste." The vampire smiled contently and silently watched the other eat more of the precious fruits. "You can take them with you if you want. I will go for a walk on deck, stretch my limbs."

The redhead nodded, taking the small bowl with him as they both went outside. He knew it was a bit overly careful, but he just didn't want to be left alone for even a moment now.

As if parading through a beautiful English garden, Kaoru walked along the side of the ship, enjoying the human's warm presence next to him. Suddenly, he stopped and pointed at the sky. "You know the constellations?" And without waiting for an answer, he began to explain some to Die, mixing some legends and myths into his explanations. And Die listened, honestly interested in the things Kaoru told him, asking some questions in between. He was strangely beginning to like the vampire more all the time, but that he didn't even want to admit to himself.


Kaoru told him almost everything he knew about the stars and their constellations, about mythology and history. He had spent decades with studying natural science, had learned everything one could from books after he had been turned. Being a vampire, bound to the night, living on your own, can be very boring at times. And now he found himself enjoying that there actually was somebody who listened to him, somebody who was actually interested and didn't know everything already.

Besides, he did notice the admiring glances Die gave him from time to time, because he told him things he had never heard before, and they stirred this distinctive feeling inside him, this feeling that humans called sympathy or affection.

Die had always been interested in things, but never had the chance to study properly. He knew how to write his own name, but that was practically everything and it was all he'd ever need according to his father. It was fascinating that there was someone who knew so much and was willing to share the information, and soon Die didn't even remember that Kaoru was a vampire who was taking him towards his death, he just enjoyed the moment.

Despite the cold, they stayed outside for hours, the purple-haired man patiently answering every single question of his companion. Only when a shiver ran through the redhead's body and his teeth were scattering, he was reminded that the other was human and felt the cold worse than he as an undead. "We should go inside. You're frozen."

"Oh, okays," The redhead hadn't even noticed how cold he was feeling, as he had been too absorbed in the conversation, listening to these things that all were new to him. But come to think of it, he really could use some warmth right now.

They went inside the tiny room under deck and the vampire forced him gently to lie down on the bed, stuffing a blanket around his form tightly. Inwardly he was only worried that his newly won companion could get sick and he would lose the ability to talk to him, because the vampire enjoyed the boy's curiosity a lot. But outwardly, he only grinned. "Can't risk that you're getting sick and catch pneumonia."

"It shouldn't matter," Die shivered forcefully, trying to concentrate on getting warmer. "I'm going to be killed anyways, so what can a small sickness do to me."

"It could kill you before time." The vampire answered softly, his eyes looking indulgent at him. "And that wouldn't be too good for me either."

The young man laughed dryly. "Well, I guess I'll have to try to stay alive then." Despite the topic he still somehow liked to talk to Kaoru since it distracted him from dwelling on his depressed thoughts too much.

"I'd appreciate it." Kaoru smiled and then swiftly lay down beside him. He himself couldn't offer any bodywarmth, but he still liked feeling the human's heat beside him, his scent always drawing him even closer.

Die stiffened only for a split second as the other settled beside him, but surprisingly easily relaxed again. He actually kind of liked to have someone close, although he had gotten used to being alone since most people had avoided him back in his hometown.

A moment of silence landed upon them and both were dwelling on their thoughts. Suddenly, the vampire moved though and reached to the bedside, pulling a small book out of a bag. He handed it to the redhead with a smile. "There, I drew some pictures of the constellations and wrote down the fitting myths. If you want to, you can read it in case you get bored."

Nodding thankfully the redhead took the book, holding it like it was something precious. "Thanks," He turned his head a bit, grinning at the one beside him. "And I can work on my reading meanwhile."

"I can teach you, if you want." Kaoru smiled, and again fetched something from the bedside, a note-book, feather and ink. He inched closer and silently wrote down the alphabet, explaining the letters to the young man. The sun had already risen longest when he finally leaned back, grinning. "So now I want you to practice those whenever you have the time and when you can write, we work on your reading."

"I'll work on them," Die smiled honestly, enthusiastic about learning something new. He didn't even waste a thought that this would all be in vain as he would die soon, as he just wanted to fill the long days with something interesting.

"And when you can read and write, I will teach you Latin and Greek and you can read the classics in original." The vampire had forgotten that his redheaded companion was doomed to die, too enthusiastic about passing something on, about being able to teach him in the necessities of life, as he thought. It would make the human less dumb and make his company more enjoyable for Kaoru too. He could discuss about the books with him, always up for some intellectual talk.

Die almost reminded him that they hardly had the time for that, but bit it back at the last moment. He didn't even know why, but somehow he liked the look in the vampire's eyes, something that was close to enthusiasm.

They spent some time of every day together like that, Kaoru teaching Die to read and write. He was strict, but whenever the redhead did something good, he was rewarded with small things like a piece of chocolate, a rare fruit or sometimes only a smile. Astonished, the vampire noticed the determination in the other, the will to learn new things and he sucked the information in like a sponge.

The crossing was rough and every now and then they feared that the ship could sink. At some nights, the vampire left his companion for an hour or longer, hunting rats and mice to quench his thirst for blood, but whenever they were docking in a harbor, he was away for longer and Die knew what he did then.

It was a nerve-wrecking time for Die whenever the vampire left the ship, since then he was left alone with the sailors there. The men had again begun to cast longer glances at him, and hearing a suggestive comment wasn't rare. He had taken it as a habit to go see the sun every day at one point when Kaoru was sleeping, only to feel its warmth and to enjoy the light of the day for a moment. But bewaring of the sailors managed to smother his enjoyment though.

Kaoru didn't know that the other went out during the day, but he guessed it. Sometimes, there was just a little colour on the young man's cheek that made him look more alive than usual. One night, the ship had docked somewhere in a harbor somewhere out of nowhere.

"Die," the vampire had developed a habit of calling the young man by his nickname, maybe because he liked its morbid sound, "would you like to go to town tonight?"

"To town?" The redhead raised his gaze from the book he had been trying to read, the very first the other had given him. He was sitting beside the small table that was in their cabin, only one candle as his light. "Why not." He shrugged, smiling a bit. A part of him reminded that it would be a chance to get away, but somehow escaping wasn't the strongest thought.

The vampire took on a serious expression. "I will take you with me, but you have to promise that you don't try to run." Somehow, he wanted to believe that he could trust Die's word. But he also knew that it was his right to escape, to fight for his life and he wouldn't take it too serious if he broke his promise. After all, Die still was only a human being, nothing more, but also nothing less.

Die stared at the other for a moment. He took his promises seriously, and didn't want to say something he knew was false. But somehow he hesitated, and finally nodded. "Okay. I'll be a good boy."

Nodding, Kaoru stood up and opened the small closet, fetching something from it. "Here." He threw a suit and a coat at the redhead. "It's very cold outside and you'll need it."

The young man nodded, getting changed to the clothes instantly. Somehow it was already an enticing thought to get off the ship, since he'd been trapped in there for days now, and he craved for some freedom.

Knowing that he would easily catch the redhead again if he decided to run, Kaoru wasn't overly cautious. Walking side by side, they left the ship and the vampire called out for a carriage to bring them to town. It stopped in front of a grand building which surely was already at least a hundred years old. When Die hesitated, the vampire took his hand and led him inside.

"It's not Paris or Prague, but still." Noticing the other's puzzled expression, he chuckled a bit. "Opera, Daisuke. That's part of your education."

"Opera?" Die arched an eyebrow, turning to look at the building again. He had heard of it, but never actually been there in his life. He couldn't help it, and his eyes lit up with excitement, as everything new was always so enticing.

Securely, the vampire led him to the wardrobe where they left their coats. Now Die understood why the other had made him wear a fancy new suit. It seemed that the high-society of this town had gathered there which made the boy, who had a simple background and knew nothing of this culture, a bit nervous.

Although Die tried to look cool and calm, he was mostly staring around eyes wide, drinking in the sight of everything. He made sure he staid close to Kaoru though, not wanting to mess something up at a fancy place like that.

Elegantly, the vampire led him through the crowd of people, looking as if he belonged to that place. He lifted his arm, to get the attention of a waiter who ran around, carrying a tray with champagne, nodding at his redhaired companion encouragingly. "It's okay. Take one."

Still hesitating a bit, the young man took a glass, trying to calm himself down and not to be too enthusiastic. But he couldn't help but to smile brightly, turning to face his companion. "This is..." He didn't really know what to say, being amazed by the place alone.

"Just a small Russian opera." Kaoru grinned and gently led the other man towards the entrance. They had a loge for themselves, one of the best places in the whole theatre and once Die had sat down on one of the comfortable velvet seats, Kaoru handed him a small binocular and a brochure. "Here you can read along." The lights were put out and a small fat woman entered the stage. They played a classic and the vampire shortly explained his companion what it was about, wanted him to know the tragedy of the story.

Die didn't fully understand everything that went on on the stage, but it didn't mean he wasn't enjoying himself. He didn't even move from his place, sitting there like petrified not to miss a second of what happened around him.

The music touched something deep inside the vampire. He loved the power of it, the actors' perfect voices stirring his spiritual heart. Not only could he hear the sadness in the lyrics, he felt it and at one point, a single bloody tear ran down his cheek. Music had always moved him, had always elicited a whole variety of emotions from him.

They both were sucked into the play, and only when it ended the redhead was slowly beginning to land back to reality. Even after the actors were already gone he kept his eyes directed at the stage, not wanting it to be over just yet.

"That was your first time at the opera? Never even watched a play?" Kaoru asked a bit amused, directing his gaze at the redhead's face. Enthusiasm was clearly visible in the features there and instantly, the vampire knew that it had been the right decision to take him there.

"No, never seen anything like this." Finally Die tore his eyes away from the stage, turning to face the vampire. "Thanks." He smiled honestly, really meaning it.

"You earned it." Kaoru mirrored the smile. "You've been practicing so hard that I thought you deserve a reward." Chuckling, he stood up, nodding towards the exit. "C'mon. Now you will get to choose what you want for dinner before we have to go back."

At first sight, there was no reason why the vampire treated his prisoner so well, but if one looked deeper, one could see that he actually enjoyed having company, fed up with being a forced loner. Besides, he wasn't evil by nature and thought he could very well grant the other some fun before his life would end.

Together they left the theatre, and Die simply couldn't stop babbling about the opera and everything he had seen, going through every single detail again. They went to a small place that served delicious food, which made the redhead's night even more perfect. It was all so new and enticing to him that he didn't even think of his future for that evening.

They decided to walk back to the harbor and not to take a carriage, Kaoru listening patiently to everything the redhead had to get out because he seemed like bursting with all the new impressions he had gotten that day. On their way, the vampire stopped by a small bakery which still was open and bought a piece of cake for his companion to eat later. It almost felt as if they were just two friends walking down the street, or teacher and student, but definitely not two deadly enemies.

Only when they were already almost back at the ship Die remembered that he was supposed to try to escape still, and that he had missed all his opportunities again, just being too enthusiastic about everything else. He tried to tell himself that he would still have another possibility later on. But in reality he knew that his chances were getting less all the time, the further they travelled from his hometown.

Kaoru was a bit surprised that the redhead hadn't tried to make the best of the situation for him and had run. But he was somehow grateful that he hadn't, that he had done good in trusting him. On the other hand, he wished Die had escaped him, because then he wouldn't have to be delivered to certain death. It was such a shame in the vampire's eyes to kill the only human being who actually had some potential, who was special.

As they went into their cabin again, the redhead was still smiling, although he noticed that he had completely forgotten what he was supposed to be doing. And despite the fact that he didn't want to admit it to himself, he enjoyed the other's company more than anyone's this far.

Silently, the vampire went to bed although the sun hadn't risen yet. He simply wanted to think about things, wanted to find out when exactly it had happened that he didn't want to slash the other's throat and drink his blood anymore but that he merely enjoyed his proximity, felt attracted to him even corporally.

Die was too enthusiastic to sleep and remained sitting at the table, trying to go through one book just to have something to do. Many times he just got lost in his thoughts though, staring at the small flame the single candle provided.

The vampire didn't sleep either, but he knew Die couldn't tell the difference since his chest wasn't rising and sinking with breaths. He still did it from time to time though, inhaled and exhaled only to remind himself how laborious it was, but when he rested, he remained completely still.

It would be a couple of days until they reached the next harbor and from then on, it won't be long until they docked in England and Kaoru already thought about things he could show his companion only to see the same kind of excitement in his eyes which he had seen that night.

Finally the young man grew tired though and fell asleep on his seat, his head pillowed on his folded arms. He slept like a stone, dreaming of everything new and exciting he had seen just that day. In the beginning he had been a bit nervous to even sleep when the vampire was present, but now he didn't even see the difference.

When Kaoru noticed the young man had fallen asleep, he sat up and looked at his form for quite a while. Finally, he approached the sleeping man, easily picked him up and bedded him on the mattress, spreading the blanket over him. It was wonderful to touch this body which was so full of everything he wasn't, full of life and warmth. It devolved on him and actually caused a shudder to run down his spine and stirred the want to take that body and make it his again. Of course he refrained himself.

Not because of some kind of false morality, but because he didn't want Die to retreat, to look at him full of disgust again like he had done before. Besides, he had never forced that on anybody, had always either paid or found somebody giving himself freewilling. But when the vampire closed his eyes, he remembered the day when Die had climaxed in his arms, relived the moment, felt the heat and smelled the scent as if it was happening at that moment.