Slave - 1
Summary: They were all slaves. Jin was slave to his business and revenge , Kame was his slave by a twist of fate. Will they ever be freed ?
Pairing: Akame
Rating: General
Genre: Drama, Romance
Disclaimer: Nope, Don't own them!
Chapter 1
It wasn’t enough. It was not enough to keep hitting this old man whose betrayal led to the downfall of his family. No matter how much the old man pleaded and cried in pain, it wasn’t enough for Jin.
The old man fell to the floor groaning; unable to take anymore beatings. He looked up with pleading eyes at the tall figure standing before him.
“Akanishi -san, please stop!”
Akanishi Jin, the only son of the business tycoon smirked.
“But I’ve just started.”
“Stop it! Please!”
A clear voice rang out to him.
Jin turned to smirk at the lithe figure.
“You are?”
The small figure stepped forward.
“I’m his son. What my father did to your family was wrong. You have every right to demand compensation.”
Jin’s laughter interrupted the other’s speech.
“Compensation is an understatement!”
The boy standing looked down at his feet.
“Then whatever it is you want to do to my father, I’ll accept it instead!”
He turned to look at the older man who lay cowering on the floor. His father’s clothes were torn and dirty from all the beating Jin’s henchmen had given him. He would have died from the beating if the younger one had not come in time to stop them. The young man turned to look back at Jin.
“He is too old.” He said softly. “So I offer myself as his replacement.”
Jin studied the boy standing in front of him. Soft brown hair framed the small face, falling attractively to his shoulders. His figure was small but Jin could tell it was toned and strong. He snuck a look behind the boy to look at the object of his wrath. His eyes narrowed.
The man who had betrayed his father for the sake of money.
Because of him, Jin’s father now lay rotting in jail for a crime he did not do.
Because of him his mother had killed herself out of shame. He grew up orphaned unfairly deprived of a loving family. But the traitor had gotten away scot free - till now. It had taken him years to find this man and he was not going to go easy on him.
But the boy was right. The bastard was too old to be of any use. The only other kin he had was his son. Jin turned his gaze back to the boy. He might prove to be more fun to torture and wreck his anger on. Jin straightened his shoulders; having made his decision.
“Very well!”
The boy stiffened slightly.
“You will come back with me! You will be my slave, till I see it fit to free you.”
The boy barely acknowledged this. Jin snorted impatiently.
“Aren’t you going to kneel down to your new master…slave boy?”
The boy looked up, fright written clearly in his teary eyes. He slowly dropped to his knees.
“At….at your service, master.”
Jin nodded satisfied. He sauntered up the boy and lifted up his chin, forcing the other to look at him.
“What is your name, slave?”
“Kame.”
A tight slap fell on his face. It was strong enough to topple the shocked Kame to the ground. He looked up from where he lay, stunned. His right hand gingerly touched his cheek. Jin nonchalantly studied his nails.
“You forgot to add the term “master” at the end.”He explained simply.
Kame blinked back his tears and scrambled to his kneeling position again. He missed the look of astonishment on Jin’s face as he gave a deep bow to him.
“For…forgive me, master. It won’t ha…happen again, sir.”
Jin looked away; this boy annoyed him for some reason.
“Get up.” He said gruffly before walking away.
Kame did as he told. He gave his father a last look as he watched his best friend Nakamaru help him up from the ground.
“Take of him for me, Nakamaru.”
Nakamaru nodded.
“I’ll find a way to save you.”
Kame gave him a sad smile as he walked away following his new master.
Kame stared open mouthed at the huge mansion.
“Hero!” Jin called out from the hallway as he tossed his coat at Kame.
“Hang that up!”
Kame snapped out of his stupor and did as he was told.
A burly man walked up to meet Jin.
“Akanishi -san.”
Jin grabbed Kame by the arm and pushed him forward.
“My slave.”
Hiro’s gaze made Kame shudder. Jin didn’t notice the predatory way Hiro looked at Kame as he was already walking away. Hiro
A month later….
The sun slowly warmed his body where he lay on the cold kitchen floor. Kame woke up and stretched. A new day was breaking. He smiled as he looked out the window.
“Good morning!” he called up to the sky.
It had been four weeks since he came here. He was used to the hardship …it was any different from his old life after all. The only difference was last time he had been working at a shipyard to earn money for himself and his father. But now he was working for Jin for free. He hadn’t seen his father since the day he became Jin’s slave. But Nakamaru came to visit him secretly once in a while and assured him his dad was well taken care of.
Kame was treated differently from other servants. He was the only slave there. The others who served Jin were well paid and taken care of. They had warm beds to sleep in at night and good food to eat. Kame was the only exception. He was the only one who Jin addressed a slave. He slept on the cold tiled floor in the kitchen. He ate the leftovers after the servants have eaten their fill. He was not given any days off to go see his friends and family like the others were. He was treated lower that the servants and even the beggars who would sometimes come to the back of the kitchen to beg for alms. Even some of the servants looked down on him. Kame coughed a little as he pulled on his still slightly damp singlet. He only had two sets of clothes so he would wash one set daily so as to have a clean set to wear the next day. He frowned at hole near bottom of his top.
“Ah…another patch up to do.” He muttered under his breadth.
He made a mental reminder to try to find some thread again later. Kame gulped down a glass of warm water and quickly ate the piece of bread which was his breakfast; before he hurried out to do the first of his chores, his favorite one - tending to the flower beds.
Jin yawned and stretched as he sat up. He walked out to his balcony and looked up the sky and grinned.
“Good morning.”
He greeted it just as Kame had done. Jin leaned against the balcony railing as he looked out over his beautiful garden. His eyes sought for the familiar figure he knew he would see.
“Ah.” He said as he spotted the one he was looking for.
Kame was watering the plants from the pail of water. A smile played upon the slave’s face as he tended to the flowers lovingly making sure all of them had water. Jin smiled despite reminding himself that he should be angry at the boy for what his father had done. Watching Kame tending his garden put his mind at peace. It was obvious Kame had a green thumb. The garden had blossomed so beautifully under his loving care. It made Jin happy to see the garden the way it looked. It was his mother’s favorite place. A sudden noise brought him back to the present. He frowned as he watched Kame suddenly stumble and fall. Jin was about to call out to him, when the boy simply stood up and dusted himself off before he struggled to bring the heavy pail of water to the other side. Jin noted that he seemed to struggling to carry that pail more and more these days.
He turned away thoughtfully and went to take his bath.
Kame hurried up the stairs with Jin’s breakfast tray. He entered the bright and airy room timidly. The sound of water splashing in the bathroom told him where Jin was. He quickly placed the tray on the table and went to make his master’s bed. He took out the clothes his master would require for the day and stood obediently; waiting for Jin to come out from the bathroom.
Jin barely acknowledged him when he did. He tossed his wet towel at Kame’s face as he went to change his clothes. He sat down to his breakfast as Kame stood standing uncomfortably in front of him. The silence stretched for awhile but Kame knew better than to break it. Jin would have him whipped if he so much as squeaked; He can only talk when Jin asked him something.
“Polish my shoes.”
Kame started.
“Yes, master.”
Immediately, Kame crouched down to start cleaning the boots that Jin would be wearing that day. He concentrated on the task and never noticed Jin studying him from under his lashes. Jin took in the thin frame and frowned when he spotted the hole on Kame’s top. He knew that by lunch time that hole won’t be there though…the boy would have patched it up. He only had two sets of clothes but his slave always looked clean and presentable. Jin prided himself as good master. His servants were always well taken care of….except for Kame. But Kame was different. He was a slave. But he was also someone caught in the middle, taking responsibility for something he did not do. It was hard to stay angry at someone like Kame. Jin looked at the boy thoughtfully. If Kame had been just another servant…then by now he would have been Jin’s favorite. The boy did everything he was given perfectly and thoroughly. He was trustworthy and never complained. He was loyal too.
It was just too bad. Jin sighed into his tea.
“It is done sir.”
Jin looked up.
“What?”
Kame flinched at the tone.
“I said I’ve polished the boots, sir.”
The boy held the said boots out in front of him for inspection. Jin waved them away irritably.
“Fine, now go away!”
Kame bowed quickly and began to walk away.
“Why are you limping?”
Jin’s question stopped him in his tracks.
“I fell, sir.” He turned to smile at Jin. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Who said I was worried?”
Jin watched in satisfaction as Kame’s smile faltered.
“No one, sir! I’m sorry to make that assumption.”
“Go away!”
Kames bowed again as he blinked back his tears.
“Oh! By the way, tell Koki to get the car ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kame left quietly. Jin looked around his room, puzzled. It was strange. For some reason his room felt dark and lonely suddenly. He shrugged it off as he finished his breakfast.
Koki nodded and smiled at boy. Kame gave a small bow and turned to leave after giving Jin’s message to him.
“Kame?”
Koki voice stopped the boy in his tracks.
“Yes? Koki -san.”
Koki pouted.
“I told you - just Koki would do! Baka!”
Kame grinned and nodded. Koki was one of few friends he had here. Him and Taguchi. They looked out for him as much as they could. If it wasn’t for them, the head cook Hiro would have had his way with Kame by now. The only that stopped Kame from getting raped and bullied by the others were the threats of Koki who swore to rearrange the faces of anyone who tried to be funny with Kame. Also that despite the fact that Junno always wore a sweet smile on his face; he could knockout anyone with just one punch. Kame didn’t know why they were nice to him, but he was grateful for their company and help.
Koki ruffled the other boy’s hair before he handed a package to him.
“For you. It belonged to my brother. But it is still in good condition and should fit you. Now you can throw away those rags you keep insisting are clothes.”
Kame took a green t-shirt from the assortment of clothes inside and smiled.
“Thank you so much!”
He gave a deep bow. Koki pushed him away.
“Go change will ya?”He said gruffly as he turned away - but not before Kame spotted a small smile o his face.
****
Jin stared out the window of his car, blankly. He was tired. Running a big company was not easy. He wished he could go off clubbing like his friends and party till the wee hours of the morning. But he couldn’t - his company was full of vultures. All his partners were waiting for him to make a mistake. Just one, so that they could vote him off and take over the million dollar business. He had to on his toes all the time. Jin could never trust anyone.
As the passed a shopping district, the shops caught his eyes. He leaned forward in his seat.
“Koki, stop here a moment please.”
“Hai.”
He got out and went to one of the shops and returned a few minutes later with a package in his hands. He tossed it to Koki.
“Give that to the slave of mine!”
Koki took a peek inside. There was a small first aid box inside.
“The boy fell today. That is for him to take care of his injuries.”
Koki nodded. His boss did have a heart after all. When Jin had brought the young man back, Koki was flabbergasted with the way Jin treated him. But then he slowly began to see a change in Jin. Jin spent time strolling around the gardens and he smiled more often. Koki had no complaints about Jin’s treatment of his servants. But he was certainly even more pleasant to them. But oddly, the one Koki held responsible for this change was often the one who was neglected most. Koki sighed. Poor Kame!
He heart went out to the boy. He missed his father terribly. And what was worse that Kitagawa tried to force himself on the boy on the first day itself. Luckily Junno got there in time. Kame reminded Koki of his baby brother. It impressed him that despite his situation; the boy remained cheerful and positive. So both he and Junno had taken it upon themselves to try protect him as much as they can. Both knew though that one day they may fail- Kame knew it too. Koki decided to risk his master’s wrath and go ahead to tell voice his opinion.
“Jin -san?”
“Hmmm?”
“I need to tell you something…about Kame.”
The silence was deafening.
“Go on.”
“Kame is sick. He has been coughing for a while now and he is a lot weaker than before…”
“Oh?”
Koki nodded and went on hurriedly.
“And Kitagawa…he…has been…trying to be funny with the boy.”
Jin sat up.
“How do you mean - funny?”
“Jin -san.” Koki went on quietly. “He has been trying to molest the boy for some time now.”
Jin nodded.
“I see.”
The way Jin sat back in his seat signaled the end of the conversation and Koki drove the rest of the way in silence.
***
“Stay…Stay back!” Kame yelled as he pushed away the two servants who had surrounded him.
His heart was beating hard against his chest. One of the men grabbed him from behind.
“Why should we?” he sneered.
The other laughed as Kame struggled against his captor. They had waited a long time for such an opportunity like this. Junno had gone out on an errand and Koki was with their master. Neither will be back anytime soon. This was the perfect chance to take the slave boy.
They had watched with lust in their eyes as Kame went down to cellar to get Jin’s favorite wine for dinner. After that it was a matter of following after him.
The one holding him glanced up at the other two.
“I want him first!” he smirked.”Hold him down for me, will you?”
He pushed Kame to the ground. Kame cried out as one of them grabbed Kame’s hands and pinned them high above his head while the other straddled him.
“Stop it! PLEASE!” Kame bit back a sob as he watched the one straddling him fearfully.
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?”
Jin’s voice rang out strong and clear. Kame’s assailants froze as they watched Jin descended the steps. Koki was right behind, glaring at them with murder in their eyes. Kame quickly took the chance to break free from them and staggered away from. To Koki’s surprise, he ran straight into Jin who unconsciously held the boy close to him.
“Are you ok?” Jin asked Kame, worriedly.
He waited for Kame to nod before turning to glare at the two men.
“It...Is like that…Sir! We were joking with him! Really! He...we…-”
“Koki called the cops.” Jin interrupted him quietly.
The men fell to the floor.
“Please don’t do that! We are sorry. Please don’t! Fire us instead but not jail! How will we support our families from Jail? Akanishi - san, please, please reconsider…”
Jin felt kame’s fist tighten on his shirt.
“Please don’t that.” The boy pleaded softly against Jin’s shoulder.
It was loud enough only for Jin to hear.
“Please don’t send them to Jail. Fire…them instead if you have to. They have families who depend on them - wives and children.”
Jin cast a glance the mop of brown hair near his shoulder. He firmly but gently pushed the slave away.
“Remind me again, Kame - who is the master and who is the slave here?” he asked coldly.
Kame’s cast his glance down.
“I’m the slave and you are my master, sir.”
Jin nodded curtly.
“In that case, why are you telling me what to do?”
He watched as Kame blushed slightly. Something twisted in his heart as he watched the younger boy go down on his knees as well.
“Forgive me sir. It…It was not my intention to do so.”
Jin smirked before turning to face the two servants again.
“Leave.”
The two men looked up at him surprise and relief.
“Get out of my sight before I change my mind and hand to the police.”
He waited till the footsteps disappeared before turning to his slave.
“Get up.” Jin sighed. “Come to my room now!”
Jin held his hand out to Koki.
“Where is that first aid kit?”
He nodded his thanks to Koki before walking up the stairs. Kame followed after him together with Koki. Jin studied the boy standing uncertainly next to the door.
“Sit on that chair!”
Kame blinked in surprise but did as he was told. He watched Jin prepare dressings.
“This morning I saw you trip in the garden. Where’d you hurt yourself?
Kame gaped at him as he rolled up his pants to show his skinned knee. Jin frowned when he saw the wound. Kame had opened it up during the struggle. It was bleeding slightly. Kame averted his eyes when Jin bent down to close to him to clean it.
“S…sir?”
Jin looked up briefly before focusing on the wound again.
“Yeah?”
Kame stared at Jin’s handsome profile.
“Why are you doing this?”
Jin froze slightly. He had been asking himself that very same question. Why was he doing this? He was supposed to be angry not caring. But for some reason seeing Kame cry and struggle in those men’s grip made he hurt. He knew then he didn’t want to see this boy cry. He had no idea when he had developed such strong feelings of protection for his slave. It made him self conscious and angry.
“Just….shut up!”
Jin cursed himself when Kame looked away and blinked back his tears.
“Hai.” Kame replied softly before falling silent.
Jin cast quick glances at his slave guiltily.
“Does it hurt?” He asked gruffly.
Kame shook his head, not daring to make eye contact with Jin.
“No, sir.”
The awkward silence went on for a few more seconds before Jin was done. Kame gave a deep bow of thanks before he made his way out.
“You like him.”
Jin started. Yamapi walked out the shadows where he had been hiding.
“How long had you been hiding there?” Jin asked glaring at the other.
Yamapi, his best friend smirked
“Long enough to know you like that boy.”
“I am not in love with him.”
Yamapi raised an elegant eyebrow.
“Who said anything about love?”
Jin turned away flustered. Yamapi studied Jin his best friend. Although he loved his childhood friend to bits, he had been repulsed by the way Jin had sought revenge on the Kame. He had even threatened to break off their friendship but ultimately Yamapi had to admit the bond he had with was too precious to him to do that. However, he tried not to visit Jin at his home. Yamapi simply could not bear to see the young Kame. The boy looked so innocent to him and Yamapi always felt guilty that he could do nothing but standby helplessly as the latter struggled with whatever orders Jin gave him.
Like Koki, Yamapi too had noticed a change in his friend. Jin really smiled and was opening up to people more whereas in the past he only had cold glares and curt replies to those who weren’t in his social circle. He contributed this to Kame since the changes came only after the arrival of the slave. He had wondered why but just now as he watched how gently Jin had tended to Kame’s wound and the worry and concern in Jin’s eyes that only Yamapi could detect; he knew he had found his answer. If only Jin would admit to that. Yamapi sighed inwardly. It would be easier to make an elephant dance the waltz than make Jin admit to his feelings!
“Never…Never mind that! What are you doing here?”
Jin’s question interrupted his musings. Yamapi smiled.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, Jin. I missed you too - the last 3 months I was overseas.”
He replied sarcastically.
Jin simply grunted. Yamapi went on.
“Oh! And please don’t apologize for forgetting to pick me up today. I’m sure you were very busy. I don’t mind the fact that I waited almost over an hour for you at airport and couldn’t contact since you hadn’t told me your new phone number.”
Jin swallowed his guilt. It took all his willpower not to smack his own forehead for his absent mindedness. He glanced at his friend from the corner of his eyes as Yamapi walked out onto his balcony to view the garden. Jin smiled secretly to himself at the sight. His best of best friends. The one guy who had stood by him all this while through all his grief. Of course he had missed his friend terribly when Yamapi had been away on his business trip. That was the very reason he hadn’t call the latter as just his best friend‘s voice would have made Jin miss him even more. Jin mentally smacked himself. He had been counting down the days to Yamapi’s return although he would never admit to that! But work had thoroughly distracted him.
“Gomen.”
Yamapi looked over his shoulder at his friend. He knew why Jin didn’t contact him and he also knew how hard Jin was working. “Vultures” were always watching him in work to pull the rug from under Jin’s feet. Pi was always amazed t about Jin coped with such pressure - amazed and worried. He sighed to himself.
“Don’t sweat it, Jin!” he smiled at Jin before turning his eyes back to the garden.
“It looks beautiful, Jin” he commented as his friend joined him on the balcony.
“Yeah, my Ka…slave really works hard on it.”
Yamapi nodded in agreement pretending he didn’t hear the slip of words.
“He’s pretty good, ne?”
Yamapi studied the small smile on Jin’s lips and the other simply muttered his agreement. Pi sighed.
“Jin, Lets go eat that dinner I know you have prepared for me!”
Jin started.
“What dinner! Go back and eat at your own place!”
Yamapi ignored the reply as he stretched and began walking to the door.
“I’m staying the night here!”
“Who said you could?”
Yamapi stopped in mid stretch.
“The one who forgot to pick me up at the airport today"
Jin flushed in guilt.
“Fine! Stay…baka!”
Yamapi slung an arm around his friend’s neck.
“Come on, Jin! Don’t be shy now…You missed me didn’t you?”
Jin struggled in vain to shrug off his friend’s arm as it hovered dangerously close to ticklish collarbones.
“No…did not!” he declared.
“Really? Then why did you cross out the dates on the calendar till the date of my return which you circled in red?”
“I…I …It wasn’t …But” Jin sputtered before giving up.
“Just…just shut up!” he muttered darkly.
He ignored Yamapi’s chuckles as they made their way to the dining room.
Pairing: Akame
Rating: General
Genre: Drama, Romance
Disclaimer: Nope, Don't own them!
Chapter 1
It wasn’t enough. It was not enough to keep hitting this old man whose betrayal led to the downfall of his family. No matter how much the old man pleaded and cried in pain, it wasn’t enough for Jin.
The old man fell to the floor groaning; unable to take anymore beatings. He looked up with pleading eyes at the tall figure standing before him.
“Akanishi -san, please stop!”
Akanishi Jin, the only son of the business tycoon smirked.
“But I’ve just started.”
“Stop it! Please!”
A clear voice rang out to him.
Jin turned to smirk at the lithe figure.
“You are?”
The small figure stepped forward.
“I’m his son. What my father did to your family was wrong. You have every right to demand compensation.”
Jin’s laughter interrupted the other’s speech.
“Compensation is an understatement!”
The boy standing looked down at his feet.
“Then whatever it is you want to do to my father, I’ll accept it instead!”
He turned to look at the older man who lay cowering on the floor. His father’s clothes were torn and dirty from all the beating Jin’s henchmen had given him. He would have died from the beating if the younger one had not come in time to stop them. The young man turned to look back at Jin.
“He is too old.” He said softly. “So I offer myself as his replacement.”
Jin studied the boy standing in front of him. Soft brown hair framed the small face, falling attractively to his shoulders. His figure was small but Jin could tell it was toned and strong. He snuck a look behind the boy to look at the object of his wrath. His eyes narrowed.
The man who had betrayed his father for the sake of money.
Because of him, Jin’s father now lay rotting in jail for a crime he did not do.
Because of him his mother had killed herself out of shame. He grew up orphaned unfairly deprived of a loving family. But the traitor had gotten away scot free - till now. It had taken him years to find this man and he was not going to go easy on him.
But the boy was right. The bastard was too old to be of any use. The only other kin he had was his son. Jin turned his gaze back to the boy. He might prove to be more fun to torture and wreck his anger on. Jin straightened his shoulders; having made his decision.
“Very well!”
The boy stiffened slightly.
“You will come back with me! You will be my slave, till I see it fit to free you.”
The boy barely acknowledged this. Jin snorted impatiently.
“Aren’t you going to kneel down to your new master…slave boy?”
The boy looked up, fright written clearly in his teary eyes. He slowly dropped to his knees.
“At….at your service, master.”
Jin nodded satisfied. He sauntered up the boy and lifted up his chin, forcing the other to look at him.
“What is your name, slave?”
“Kame.”
A tight slap fell on his face. It was strong enough to topple the shocked Kame to the ground. He looked up from where he lay, stunned. His right hand gingerly touched his cheek. Jin nonchalantly studied his nails.
“You forgot to add the term “master” at the end.”He explained simply.
Kame blinked back his tears and scrambled to his kneeling position again. He missed the look of astonishment on Jin’s face as he gave a deep bow to him.
“For…forgive me, master. It won’t ha…happen again, sir.”
Jin looked away; this boy annoyed him for some reason.
“Get up.” He said gruffly before walking away.
Kame did as he told. He gave his father a last look as he watched his best friend Nakamaru help him up from the ground.
“Take of him for me, Nakamaru.”
Nakamaru nodded.
“I’ll find a way to save you.”
Kame gave him a sad smile as he walked away following his new master.
Kame stared open mouthed at the huge mansion.
“Hero!” Jin called out from the hallway as he tossed his coat at Kame.
“Hang that up!”
Kame snapped out of his stupor and did as he was told.
A burly man walked up to meet Jin.
“Akanishi -san.”
Jin grabbed Kame by the arm and pushed him forward.
“My slave.”
Hiro’s gaze made Kame shudder. Jin didn’t notice the predatory way Hiro looked at Kame as he was already walking away. Hiro
A month later….
The sun slowly warmed his body where he lay on the cold kitchen floor. Kame woke up and stretched. A new day was breaking. He smiled as he looked out the window.
“Good morning!” he called up to the sky.
It had been four weeks since he came here. He was used to the hardship …it was any different from his old life after all. The only difference was last time he had been working at a shipyard to earn money for himself and his father. But now he was working for Jin for free. He hadn’t seen his father since the day he became Jin’s slave. But Nakamaru came to visit him secretly once in a while and assured him his dad was well taken care of.
Kame was treated differently from other servants. He was the only slave there. The others who served Jin were well paid and taken care of. They had warm beds to sleep in at night and good food to eat. Kame was the only exception. He was the only one who Jin addressed a slave. He slept on the cold tiled floor in the kitchen. He ate the leftovers after the servants have eaten their fill. He was not given any days off to go see his friends and family like the others were. He was treated lower that the servants and even the beggars who would sometimes come to the back of the kitchen to beg for alms. Even some of the servants looked down on him. Kame coughed a little as he pulled on his still slightly damp singlet. He only had two sets of clothes so he would wash one set daily so as to have a clean set to wear the next day. He frowned at hole near bottom of his top.
“Ah…another patch up to do.” He muttered under his breadth.
He made a mental reminder to try to find some thread again later. Kame gulped down a glass of warm water and quickly ate the piece of bread which was his breakfast; before he hurried out to do the first of his chores, his favorite one - tending to the flower beds.
Jin yawned and stretched as he sat up. He walked out to his balcony and looked up the sky and grinned.
“Good morning.”
He greeted it just as Kame had done. Jin leaned against the balcony railing as he looked out over his beautiful garden. His eyes sought for the familiar figure he knew he would see.
“Ah.” He said as he spotted the one he was looking for.
Kame was watering the plants from the pail of water. A smile played upon the slave’s face as he tended to the flowers lovingly making sure all of them had water. Jin smiled despite reminding himself that he should be angry at the boy for what his father had done. Watching Kame tending his garden put his mind at peace. It was obvious Kame had a green thumb. The garden had blossomed so beautifully under his loving care. It made Jin happy to see the garden the way it looked. It was his mother’s favorite place. A sudden noise brought him back to the present. He frowned as he watched Kame suddenly stumble and fall. Jin was about to call out to him, when the boy simply stood up and dusted himself off before he struggled to bring the heavy pail of water to the other side. Jin noted that he seemed to struggling to carry that pail more and more these days.
He turned away thoughtfully and went to take his bath.
Kame hurried up the stairs with Jin’s breakfast tray. He entered the bright and airy room timidly. The sound of water splashing in the bathroom told him where Jin was. He quickly placed the tray on the table and went to make his master’s bed. He took out the clothes his master would require for the day and stood obediently; waiting for Jin to come out from the bathroom.
Jin barely acknowledged him when he did. He tossed his wet towel at Kame’s face as he went to change his clothes. He sat down to his breakfast as Kame stood standing uncomfortably in front of him. The silence stretched for awhile but Kame knew better than to break it. Jin would have him whipped if he so much as squeaked; He can only talk when Jin asked him something.
“Polish my shoes.”
Kame started.
“Yes, master.”
Immediately, Kame crouched down to start cleaning the boots that Jin would be wearing that day. He concentrated on the task and never noticed Jin studying him from under his lashes. Jin took in the thin frame and frowned when he spotted the hole on Kame’s top. He knew that by lunch time that hole won’t be there though…the boy would have patched it up. He only had two sets of clothes but his slave always looked clean and presentable. Jin prided himself as good master. His servants were always well taken care of….except for Kame. But Kame was different. He was a slave. But he was also someone caught in the middle, taking responsibility for something he did not do. It was hard to stay angry at someone like Kame. Jin looked at the boy thoughtfully. If Kame had been just another servant…then by now he would have been Jin’s favorite. The boy did everything he was given perfectly and thoroughly. He was trustworthy and never complained. He was loyal too.
It was just too bad. Jin sighed into his tea.
“It is done sir.”
Jin looked up.
“What?”
Kame flinched at the tone.
“I said I’ve polished the boots, sir.”
The boy held the said boots out in front of him for inspection. Jin waved them away irritably.
“Fine, now go away!”
Kame bowed quickly and began to walk away.
“Why are you limping?”
Jin’s question stopped him in his tracks.
“I fell, sir.” He turned to smile at Jin. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Who said I was worried?”
Jin watched in satisfaction as Kame’s smile faltered.
“No one, sir! I’m sorry to make that assumption.”
“Go away!”
Kames bowed again as he blinked back his tears.
“Oh! By the way, tell Koki to get the car ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kame left quietly. Jin looked around his room, puzzled. It was strange. For some reason his room felt dark and lonely suddenly. He shrugged it off as he finished his breakfast.
Koki nodded and smiled at boy. Kame gave a small bow and turned to leave after giving Jin’s message to him.
“Kame?”
Koki voice stopped the boy in his tracks.
“Yes? Koki -san.”
Koki pouted.
“I told you - just Koki would do! Baka!”
Kame grinned and nodded. Koki was one of few friends he had here. Him and Taguchi. They looked out for him as much as they could. If it wasn’t for them, the head cook Hiro would have had his way with Kame by now. The only that stopped Kame from getting raped and bullied by the others were the threats of Koki who swore to rearrange the faces of anyone who tried to be funny with Kame. Also that despite the fact that Junno always wore a sweet smile on his face; he could knockout anyone with just one punch. Kame didn’t know why they were nice to him, but he was grateful for their company and help.
Koki ruffled the other boy’s hair before he handed a package to him.
“For you. It belonged to my brother. But it is still in good condition and should fit you. Now you can throw away those rags you keep insisting are clothes.”
Kame took a green t-shirt from the assortment of clothes inside and smiled.
“Thank you so much!”
He gave a deep bow. Koki pushed him away.
“Go change will ya?”He said gruffly as he turned away - but not before Kame spotted a small smile o his face.
****
Jin stared out the window of his car, blankly. He was tired. Running a big company was not easy. He wished he could go off clubbing like his friends and party till the wee hours of the morning. But he couldn’t - his company was full of vultures. All his partners were waiting for him to make a mistake. Just one, so that they could vote him off and take over the million dollar business. He had to on his toes all the time. Jin could never trust anyone.
As the passed a shopping district, the shops caught his eyes. He leaned forward in his seat.
“Koki, stop here a moment please.”
“Hai.”
He got out and went to one of the shops and returned a few minutes later with a package in his hands. He tossed it to Koki.
“Give that to the slave of mine!”
Koki took a peek inside. There was a small first aid box inside.
“The boy fell today. That is for him to take care of his injuries.”
Koki nodded. His boss did have a heart after all. When Jin had brought the young man back, Koki was flabbergasted with the way Jin treated him. But then he slowly began to see a change in Jin. Jin spent time strolling around the gardens and he smiled more often. Koki had no complaints about Jin’s treatment of his servants. But he was certainly even more pleasant to them. But oddly, the one Koki held responsible for this change was often the one who was neglected most. Koki sighed. Poor Kame!
He heart went out to the boy. He missed his father terribly. And what was worse that Kitagawa tried to force himself on the boy on the first day itself. Luckily Junno got there in time. Kame reminded Koki of his baby brother. It impressed him that despite his situation; the boy remained cheerful and positive. So both he and Junno had taken it upon themselves to try protect him as much as they can. Both knew though that one day they may fail- Kame knew it too. Koki decided to risk his master’s wrath and go ahead to tell voice his opinion.
“Jin -san?”
“Hmmm?”
“I need to tell you something…about Kame.”
The silence was deafening.
“Go on.”
“Kame is sick. He has been coughing for a while now and he is a lot weaker than before…”
“Oh?”
Koki nodded and went on hurriedly.
“And Kitagawa…he…has been…trying to be funny with the boy.”
Jin sat up.
“How do you mean - funny?”
“Jin -san.” Koki went on quietly. “He has been trying to molest the boy for some time now.”
Jin nodded.
“I see.”
The way Jin sat back in his seat signaled the end of the conversation and Koki drove the rest of the way in silence.
***
“Stay…Stay back!” Kame yelled as he pushed away the two servants who had surrounded him.
His heart was beating hard against his chest. One of the men grabbed him from behind.
“Why should we?” he sneered.
The other laughed as Kame struggled against his captor. They had waited a long time for such an opportunity like this. Junno had gone out on an errand and Koki was with their master. Neither will be back anytime soon. This was the perfect chance to take the slave boy.
They had watched with lust in their eyes as Kame went down to cellar to get Jin’s favorite wine for dinner. After that it was a matter of following after him.
The one holding him glanced up at the other two.
“I want him first!” he smirked.”Hold him down for me, will you?”
He pushed Kame to the ground. Kame cried out as one of them grabbed Kame’s hands and pinned them high above his head while the other straddled him.
“Stop it! PLEASE!” Kame bit back a sob as he watched the one straddling him fearfully.
“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?”
Jin’s voice rang out strong and clear. Kame’s assailants froze as they watched Jin descended the steps. Koki was right behind, glaring at them with murder in their eyes. Kame quickly took the chance to break free from them and staggered away from. To Koki’s surprise, he ran straight into Jin who unconsciously held the boy close to him.
“Are you ok?” Jin asked Kame, worriedly.
He waited for Kame to nod before turning to glare at the two men.
“It...Is like that…Sir! We were joking with him! Really! He...we…-”
“Koki called the cops.” Jin interrupted him quietly.
The men fell to the floor.
“Please don’t do that! We are sorry. Please don’t! Fire us instead but not jail! How will we support our families from Jail? Akanishi - san, please, please reconsider…”
Jin felt kame’s fist tighten on his shirt.
“Please don’t that.” The boy pleaded softly against Jin’s shoulder.
It was loud enough only for Jin to hear.
“Please don’t send them to Jail. Fire…them instead if you have to. They have families who depend on them - wives and children.”
Jin cast a glance the mop of brown hair near his shoulder. He firmly but gently pushed the slave away.
“Remind me again, Kame - who is the master and who is the slave here?” he asked coldly.
Kame’s cast his glance down.
“I’m the slave and you are my master, sir.”
Jin nodded curtly.
“In that case, why are you telling me what to do?”
He watched as Kame blushed slightly. Something twisted in his heart as he watched the younger boy go down on his knees as well.
“Forgive me sir. It…It was not my intention to do so.”
Jin smirked before turning to face the two servants again.
“Leave.”
The two men looked up at him surprise and relief.
“Get out of my sight before I change my mind and hand to the police.”
He waited till the footsteps disappeared before turning to his slave.
“Get up.” Jin sighed. “Come to my room now!”
Jin held his hand out to Koki.
“Where is that first aid kit?”
He nodded his thanks to Koki before walking up the stairs. Kame followed after him together with Koki. Jin studied the boy standing uncertainly next to the door.
“Sit on that chair!”
Kame blinked in surprise but did as he was told. He watched Jin prepare dressings.
“This morning I saw you trip in the garden. Where’d you hurt yourself?
Kame gaped at him as he rolled up his pants to show his skinned knee. Jin frowned when he saw the wound. Kame had opened it up during the struggle. It was bleeding slightly. Kame averted his eyes when Jin bent down to close to him to clean it.
“S…sir?”
Jin looked up briefly before focusing on the wound again.
“Yeah?”
Kame stared at Jin’s handsome profile.
“Why are you doing this?”
Jin froze slightly. He had been asking himself that very same question. Why was he doing this? He was supposed to be angry not caring. But for some reason seeing Kame cry and struggle in those men’s grip made he hurt. He knew then he didn’t want to see this boy cry. He had no idea when he had developed such strong feelings of protection for his slave. It made him self conscious and angry.
“Just….shut up!”
Jin cursed himself when Kame looked away and blinked back his tears.
“Hai.” Kame replied softly before falling silent.
Jin cast quick glances at his slave guiltily.
“Does it hurt?” He asked gruffly.
Kame shook his head, not daring to make eye contact with Jin.
“No, sir.”
The awkward silence went on for a few more seconds before Jin was done. Kame gave a deep bow of thanks before he made his way out.
“You like him.”
Jin started. Yamapi walked out the shadows where he had been hiding.
“How long had you been hiding there?” Jin asked glaring at the other.
Yamapi, his best friend smirked
“Long enough to know you like that boy.”
“I am not in love with him.”
Yamapi raised an elegant eyebrow.
“Who said anything about love?”
Jin turned away flustered. Yamapi studied Jin his best friend. Although he loved his childhood friend to bits, he had been repulsed by the way Jin had sought revenge on the Kame. He had even threatened to break off their friendship but ultimately Yamapi had to admit the bond he had with was too precious to him to do that. However, he tried not to visit Jin at his home. Yamapi simply could not bear to see the young Kame. The boy looked so innocent to him and Yamapi always felt guilty that he could do nothing but standby helplessly as the latter struggled with whatever orders Jin gave him.
Like Koki, Yamapi too had noticed a change in his friend. Jin really smiled and was opening up to people more whereas in the past he only had cold glares and curt replies to those who weren’t in his social circle. He contributed this to Kame since the changes came only after the arrival of the slave. He had wondered why but just now as he watched how gently Jin had tended to Kame’s wound and the worry and concern in Jin’s eyes that only Yamapi could detect; he knew he had found his answer. If only Jin would admit to that. Yamapi sighed inwardly. It would be easier to make an elephant dance the waltz than make Jin admit to his feelings!
“Never…Never mind that! What are you doing here?”
Jin’s question interrupted his musings. Yamapi smiled.
“Thank you for your warm welcome, Jin. I missed you too - the last 3 months I was overseas.”
He replied sarcastically.
Jin simply grunted. Yamapi went on.
“Oh! And please don’t apologize for forgetting to pick me up today. I’m sure you were very busy. I don’t mind the fact that I waited almost over an hour for you at airport and couldn’t contact since you hadn’t told me your new phone number.”
Jin swallowed his guilt. It took all his willpower not to smack his own forehead for his absent mindedness. He glanced at his friend from the corner of his eyes as Yamapi walked out onto his balcony to view the garden. Jin smiled secretly to himself at the sight. His best of best friends. The one guy who had stood by him all this while through all his grief. Of course he had missed his friend terribly when Yamapi had been away on his business trip. That was the very reason he hadn’t call the latter as just his best friend‘s voice would have made Jin miss him even more. Jin mentally smacked himself. He had been counting down the days to Yamapi’s return although he would never admit to that! But work had thoroughly distracted him.
“Gomen.”
Yamapi looked over his shoulder at his friend. He knew why Jin didn’t contact him and he also knew how hard Jin was working. “Vultures” were always watching him in work to pull the rug from under Jin’s feet. Pi was always amazed t about Jin coped with such pressure - amazed and worried. He sighed to himself.
“Don’t sweat it, Jin!” he smiled at Jin before turning his eyes back to the garden.
“It looks beautiful, Jin” he commented as his friend joined him on the balcony.
“Yeah, my Ka…slave really works hard on it.”
Yamapi nodded in agreement pretending he didn’t hear the slip of words.
“He’s pretty good, ne?”
Yamapi studied the small smile on Jin’s lips and the other simply muttered his agreement. Pi sighed.
“Jin, Lets go eat that dinner I know you have prepared for me!”
Jin started.
“What dinner! Go back and eat at your own place!”
Yamapi ignored the reply as he stretched and began walking to the door.
“I’m staying the night here!”
“Who said you could?”
Yamapi stopped in mid stretch.
“The one who forgot to pick me up at the airport today"
Jin flushed in guilt.
“Fine! Stay…baka!”
Yamapi slung an arm around his friend’s neck.
“Come on, Jin! Don’t be shy now…You missed me didn’t you?”
Jin struggled in vain to shrug off his friend’s arm as it hovered dangerously close to ticklish collarbones.
“No…did not!” he declared.
“Really? Then why did you cross out the dates on the calendar till the date of my return which you circled in red?”
“I…I …It wasn’t …But” Jin sputtered before giving up.
“Just…just shut up!” he muttered darkly.
He ignored Yamapi’s chuckles as they made their way to the dining room.