Chapter Four- Escape

Toguro drank contently as he drained his victim of his blood. He released the corpse and removed the marks. He smiled. That was satisfying. I looked forward to an eternity of drinking blood and killing all who try to kill me. Each attempt will be amusing as I can't die; just as Yusuke can't die. I had intended to turn him and make him my slave. I think I will return home and compose a list of things I will order Yusuke to do. Perhaps my brother would like to suggest some things too. Toguro left the scene of his kill and returned home. He entered and found the place dark. His eyes easily pierced the darkness as he moved toward the door that lead to his brother's room. He tilted his head and heard deep, even breathing. He's asleep. Just as well; he's a living being and needs rest.

He headed for his room and flipped on the light. An enormous bed dominated most of the room. A wardrobe and vanity dresser stood against the wall on his left side and on the floor opposite the bedroom door and beside the bed was a classic wooden coffin. A desk and chair sat against the wall beside the door.

Toguro approached the vanity mirror and looked into it. A pale man with long fangs and wearing black pants, a tight black tank top, and sunglasses was reflected there. His lips curled up; his reflection was just as it was on the ship sans the clothes. He like how the black made his skin look. He turned from it and headed to the desk. He sat, pulled out paper and pen, and began to write a slave list for Yusuke. Right at the top were orders of bringing his victim to him, dispose of the body, and killing his victim instead of letting the human live. If I order him to kill often enough, he may eventually love being a vampire and will thank me for bestowing this gift on him.

Toguro amused himself by reading and watching TV the rest of the night. When the sun rose, however, he was no longer amused: He was incensed. It should not take long to drink a little blood. Yusuke doesn't have to be picky over whom he fed. It's likely he decided to roam, test his senses and abilities. It is more likely that he's run away, just as my brother thought might happen. I said I would find him and make him regret trying to escape me and I will. He opened his door and a second later so did his brother's door. Elder Toguro yawned and stretched. "Good morning, brother. Getting ready to sleep?"

"No. Yusuke did not return. It seems you were correct that he would run and hide. I am going to find him and he will suffer for his attempt." Toguro stormed out the door, not caring if anyone saw his fangs; people would probably think they were imaging things. Yusuke, you will pay for trying to defy me.

Yusuke yawned as he leaned back on his arms which ewer folded under his head. He had roamed all night to find a place to hide and possibly live. He had considered going to his friends but thought that Toguro might think to start his search with them. Then again, he might think that I might come up with that thought and will look elsewhere. Yusuke ventured toward Kurama's home, amazed by his deduction of Toguro's actions. He found a small cavern in the woods behind the redhead's house and decided that would be his new home. He closed his eyes, deciding to feed at night after all; much easier to attack when it was dark. He inhaled and slowly let it out as he drifted off to sleep.

Where are you, Yusuke? Toguro wondered as he moved through the city. His faster speed allowed him to search large areas quickly. He wasn't bothering to look around carefully; instead he was using his nose. Vampires, according to the paper he had received, exuded a scent that was only detectable by other vampires. This scent trail would last for twenty-four hours, but it made Toguro confident that he would find his slave before the trail faded.

He clenched his fists as he sniffed the air. He desired to abuse the boy for fleeing and knew he didn't have to be careful about the beating as he couldn't kill Yusuke. He had followed the trail from the building's front door, down the sidewalk, and into an alley before going back to the sidewalk. When he had reached an intersection, he inhaled deeply and found the scent was freshest across the crosswalk and down that sidewalk.

He must have roamed most of the night, looking for a place to hide, he thought as he followed the trail. I'll find him, though. The scent's getting stronger. He quickened his pace at this realization. He soon arrived at a house that had a wooded area in the back and that was where the trail led. He moved silently into the woods, breathing deeply. He headed for a small cavern where the scent was so strong it had to come from Yusuke himself. He peered in to see the teen fast asleep. The chest didn't move; if he hadn't known Yusuke was a vampire, he would have mistaken him for dead.

Yusuke suddenly jerked awake as if sensing Toguro's presence. He slowly sat up to see his sire's scowling face. Toguro seized the shirt and hauled Yusuke out of hiding. He put Yusuke's face to his own as he hissed, "That was unwise of you to try and escape. You are my slave for eternity. It seems you need to be taught some respect for your master." Toguro proceeded to take a shortcut back home.

"How did you find me?" Yusuke gasped as he dangled in the tall man's grip.

Toguro smirked. "I didn't tell you, but vampires leave a scent trail that only other vampires can smell. I simply sniffed out your scent."

Yusuke inwardly cursed. He had tried to escape, but apparently he left a scent trail that led Toguro right to him. A sense of despair washed over him. He was truly at Toguro's command. Whatever he said, he had to listen.

Toguro stepped into an alley and smoothly snatched a woman. He dropped his slave, muffled the woman's mouth, and immobilized her with his other hand. "Yusuke, drink but only a little. I will have the rest."

Recognizing an order, he said, "Yes, Master." He sank his fangs into her neck and drank until Toguro said, "Enough." Yusuke withdrew and Toguro drank the rest of her blood, healing the double puncture marks before steering Yusuke into the apartment and up to the penthouse.

Elder Toguro looked over at the door as it opened and he bared a sadistic grin as he turned off the TV. "You found him, brother," he said before cackling. "Oh, Yusuke, you are so going to regret running away."

"It wasn't too difficult finding him," Toguro said flatly. He pointed to his room. "Go to your coffin until you are called."

"Yes, Master," he mumbled before shuffling into the room. He climbed into it, grabbed the loose lid, and put it on top.

"He seems very compliant," Elder Toguro commented.

"He now realizes that he can't get away. He left a scent trail vampires exude and only another vampire can detect it. Both of us have had our blood for the day, so we can focus on torturing Yusuke so that he learns respect for my authority and so that he learns his place."

"We, brother?"

"Of course. Surely, you didn't think I would keep the fun all to myself. I urge you to suggest whatever comes to your mind as Yusuke cannot die and heals instantly.

Yusuke stared at the inside of his coffin lid, his eyesight allowing him to see it easily. He silently cursed. He should have known escaping Toguro wouldn't be that easy. His master didn't require sleep and would have found him eventually even without the scent trail.

I'd like to test my abilities and senses. I'll ask for permission tomorrow night. I wonder when I'll be allowed out. Judging from what Toguro's brother had said, I'll probably be tortured and while I'll heal, it'll no doubt be slow and painful. He shuddered. He had a feeling that it was going to be a very long night. He further suspected that the torture and abuse would last all night which was why they both had blood earlier.

"Yusuke, come," Toguro called a few hours later.

Yusuke instantly awoke from his nap, exited his coffin and the room to see a clear space in the middle of the room and both brother waiting for him. He went up to Toguro, looked up, and said, "Yes, Master?" He waited for Toguro to speak and reveal his specific fate.