Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Gravity Well ❯ Tohma's Story ( Chapter 3 )

Everyone: As you may guess from the chapter title, we are about to take a detour into the dark world of Tohma Seguchi. I confess up front it's going to be a long detour, but don't despair. I promise it's an interesting road and it leads right back to Yuki and Shuichi.

 

Chapter 3: Tohma's Story

The next morning, Shuichi was happy. He trotted around the bedroom humming to himself as he got ready for work. Eiri lay in the bed and watched him, still too tired to get up. When he was dressed, Shuichi leaped onto the bed and kissed him.

“Aren't you getting up, sleepyhead? You said your book is overdue.”

“All thanks to you.”

Shuichi just laughed and ruffled his hair.

Eiri didn't want to upset him, but this was getting to be too much. “I let you drink too much last night,” he said. “I just don't have any energy.”

Shuichi's smile faded. “I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't take so much, but I was so hungry yesterday.” He leaned over Eiri. “You should drink some, it will make you feel better.”

Eiri shook his head. “We both have to stop, Shuichi. You know that.”

“You hardly drink at all anymore, Yuki. Just this once won't make that much difference.” He stretched out, touching his neck to Eiri's lips. “Besides, I love the way it feels.”

Eiri wanted to resist the urge, but he couldn't do it. He was exhausted and he knew it would make him feel better. And he needed to work. If he didn't finish the book soon, his editor was going to camp out by his computer just to make sure he was writing. He opened his mouth and licked. The taste of Shuichi's skin was deliciously familiar. He could feel the pulse beating against his lips. Shuichi's scent radiated his excitement. Eiri gave in and bit down. The warm, salty taste filled his mouth and he closed his eyes with pleasure. Shuichi sighed softly.

Eiri didn't drink long. The pleasure of drinking, more than the blood itself, restored him. He stopped after a few minutes and just held Shuichi against him.

“I love you, Yuki.”

“I know.” He stroked his fingers through Shuichi's hair. “You're going to be late for work.”

“I'll run.” Shuichi continued to cuddle against him for a few more minutes, and then he sat up with a sigh. “But you're right. I will be late.” He kissed Eiri one more time and slid off the bed. Then he grinned. “You'd better get to work, too. I don't want your editor coming after me!” He bounded out of the room. “Bye!”

- - - - - - - -

Tohma waited outside the house until he saw Shuichi leave. The young man had clearly lost a lot of weight. Tohma sighed. It was getting worse. He was going to have to be very frank with Eiri, and possibly tell him everything. Tohma didn't like admitting to weakness, but he wasn't sure how else to convince Eiri how serious the situation was becoming. He tapped the driver's intercom button.

“I'm going now. I'll call when I need to be picked up.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tohma stepped out of the limo and watched it drive away. Then he walked up to the house and rang the bell. Eiri did not seem surprised to see him.

“Were you waiting outside for Shuichi to leave?” he remarked dryly.

“As a matter of fact, I was,” Tohma answered honestly. “We need to talk, Eiri.”

Eiri stepped back and held the door open. Tohma walked through into the living room and took a seat on the couch, crossing his legs and folding his gloved hands neatly on his knee. Eiri slumped down at the far end of the couch with his legs stuck out.

“So, what do you want?” he said.

“I want to talk to you about Mr. Shindou.”

“Tohma…” Eiri began, but Tohma held up a restraining hand.

“Please, Eiri, hear me out. I am not here to speak against your relationship. But I am very concerned. How often does Mr. Shindou drink from you?”

Eiri flushed. “I'm not sure that's any of your business.”

“But it most certainly is. You are my friend. He is my employee. I have a vested interest in what happens to both of you. So please, answer my question.”

“Every day.” Eiri looked away as he answered.

“I thought so.” Tohma sighed. “Is he eating?”

“Not as much as he should.”

“I was afraid of that.”

Eiri frowned at him. “What are you getting at, Tohma?”

Tohma sighed again. “I am afraid Mr. Shindou is turning, Eiri.” At Eiri's startled look, Tohma nodded. “It is inevitable if he continues as he is. He will eat less and less, and drink more and more, until he is subsisting on blood alone. And when that happens, he will turn. It will happen sooner, almost immediately, if he drinks from anyone other than you.” Tohma returned Eiri's frightened stare with a stern look of his own. “It will happen to you, too, if you fall into the same habits.”

Eiri put a hand over his mouth and Tohma wondered if he had drunk from Shuichi that morning.

“How do you know this?” Eiri whispered.

Tohma looked away. He had really not wanted to tell this story, but Eiri needed to understand how important this was, how much danger he was in. “About six years ago, not long after you returned to Japan, while Nittle Grasper was on tour in the United States, I was attacked by a vampire.”

“What?!”

“Yes. And if not for the help of one very caring person, neither I nor Ryuichi Sakuma would be alive today.”

Eiri stared in open-mouthed silence.

“Let me tell you a story,” Tohma began.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

“Where do you think you're going?” K demanded. “This rehearsal isn't close to over.”

Tohma smiled sweetly. “I am very sorry, K, but I have a business commitment I need to keep.”

“This is ridiculous, Tohma!” K complained. “You can't be a high-powered executive and a member of this band at the same time!”

“Nonsense, I've been doing it for years, now. Anyway, Nori and Ryu can continue without me.”

“Tohma's leaving?” Ryuichi said from where he was sitting on the floor diligently coloring a picture of Mr. Bear, although his color choices were nothing even the bright pink Mr. Bear might consider natural.

“Yes,” Tohma said with an affectionate smile. “I have to go to the office and meet with my New York staff. Since we will be playing a tour in the United States, I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time with them.”

“That's too bad,” Ryuichi said seriously, “they always make you too tired to play.” He grinned up at Tohma. “You're happier when you're playing.”

“That's true. I'll try not to let them make me too tired.”

K frowned. “This is no way to run a rock band, Tohma.”

“Don't fret, K. I only have a few meetings this week, and none the day before the first concert.”

“Oh, well that's something, anyway.” K's voice dripped sarcasm. He pulled his pistol out of his holster and cocked it. “Maybe if I got rid of a few of them, you could skip a couple meetings.”

Tohma frowned at him. “I will not be happy if I have to train new staff, K.”

K stuffed the gun away, looking disappointed. “Oh fine! Be that way.” He crossed his arms and glared at nothing in particular.

Ryuichi stood up and pointed at Nori. “She's eating again.”

K and Tohma turned to look at her. Noriko hastily stuffed the last of a cookie into her mouth and grinned at them guiltily.

“Does your husband know you're eating that?”

“It's just a cookie!”

“And how many does that make today?”

“She ate the whole bag!” Ryuichi wailed. He held the empty bad upside down and shook it. His lower lip quivered. “She didn't save me ANY!”

Noriko spread her hands innocently. “I'm eating for two?” she ventured.

“More like three,” Tohma replied, nodding at the wailing Ryuichi.

“Great!” muttered K. “Now nobody's rehearsing.”

Tohma patted Ryuichi on the shoulder. “I'll get more cookies on my way back from the office,” he said. “I'll get two bags.”

Ryuichi brightened immediately. “Peanut butter cookies?”

“Of course.”

Ryuichi clapped his hands. “Ok! Let's sing!” He lifted his head and began to sing, his incredible voice spilling the rich notes into the room like golden pools of sunshine.

Tohma lowered his voice and spoke to K. “Make sure to keep the reporters away from him. I'll meet you back at my apartment later.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tohma went to the New York office of N-G Productions. The offices were on three floors of a Manhattan high-rise, far enough up to be properly impressive without being insanely expensive. The American staff greeted his arrival in their usual too-familiar way. The receptionist was the only one who seemed to understand the right way to behave toward him. But then, it was her job to greet people with the correct degree of deference, so it did not really surprise him.

“Good morning, Mr. Seguchi,” she said when he entered through the heavy glass doors.

“Good morning, Miss Weinstock.”

“Mr. Wolfe and the others are waiting for you in the executive conference room, sir.”

“Thank you. Please tell them I'll join them in a moment.”

“Yes sir.” She held out a handful of notes. “Here are your messages.”

“Thank you, Miss Weinstock.”

“You're welcome, sir.”

Tohma read the messages as he walked to his office, so he wouldn't have to make an effort at greeting the functionaries he passed along the way. People always tried to engage him in conversation, instead of deferring to his superior position and going about their business. It was such a uniquely American behavior. A result, no doubt, of their almost aggressive insistence that everyone be treated as equals, even when they obviously weren't. The messages were the usual collection of reports from his Tokyo office, except for one. One made no sense at all. When he reached his office, he found the young man who acted as his assistant when he was in New York, an efficient young black man with a bald head, waiting outside. Tohma handed him the note.

“Thomas, will you please find out what this is about?”

Thomas took the note without looking at it. “Of course, sir.” He handed Tohma a sheaf of papers in return. “Here are the reports on the US debuts of the new recordings.”

“Very good. I want to make a few phone calls before the meeting. Please go ahead to the conference room.”

“Yes sir.” Thomas left and Tohma went into his office.

Of course, at this hour, no one in Japan was awake, but Tohma called anyway and left messages. Then he headed for the conference room for what promised to be a long, dull meeting.

Hours later, Tohma had to confess that Ryuichi was right. Business meetings always left him too tired to play. I'm getting old, he thought. Playing used to wake me back up.

As he stepped into the elevator, Thomas rushed to catch him. “Mr. Seguchi!” he called. Tohma hit the door open button and Thomas slipped in beside him. “I got some information on that message you asked about.” Thomas handed him a folded sheet of paper.

“Is it a new band?”

“No. I think it has something to do with the band opening for you on your concert tour.”

“Really?” Tohma unfolded the sheet of paper. A woman's name, Miranda Collins, was written on it, along with the words: new recording contract. “Why didn't she just call K, or the band's producer?”

“I don't know. Her secretary said she needed to meet with you. I can try to find out more, if you want.”

“No, that's all right. If it has to do with the tour, K can handle it. Thank you.”

The elevator reached the bottom and he stepped out. Thomas stayed in the elevator. “Good night, Mr. Seguchi,” he said. He pressed a button to ride back up.

“Good night, Thomas.”

Tohma's limousine was waiting outside the front door and he smiled. Thomas was very efficient. Tohma climbed in and the car pulled out into traffic.

Back at his apartment, Noriko and Ryuichi were playing a wild game of checkers. Ryuichi was rolling on the floor begging Noriko not to jump his checkers. She promptly did so and Ryuichi howled in anguish.

“She's not playing fair,” he told Tohma with a quivering lip. “I want to play you! You don't take all my checkers.”

Tohma patted him on the head. “After dinner. Nori, shouldn't you be going to the hotel? Tetsuya-san must be wondering where you are.”

“I called him already. I said I'd meet him for dinner after you got back.” She wrinkled her nose at Ryuichi. “Someone has to keep an eye on this chimp.”

“Where's K-san?”

“Scoping out our next venue.” She climbed to her feet. “But, you're right, it's time for me to get going.” She patted her belly. “This one's ready for dinner.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Noriko left and Tohma sat down on the floor next to Ryuichi. “What do you want for dinner, Ryu-chan?”

Ryuichi stared up at the ceiling, his brow wrinkled in concentration. “Umm… dinner… let's see… American food?” He beamed at Tohma.

Tohma smiled back. “Ok, American food it is.”

- - - - - - - -

Tohma was not happy. One of their best up and coming American bands had been poached by another label. Tohma had hoped to promote the band by having them open for Nittle Grasper at their East Coast venues. The producer who'd lost the band sat on the other side of Tohma's desk, doing his best to place the blame everywhere but on himself. Tohma debated whether or not he could get away with firing the idiot on the spot. He finally held up his hand.

“Stop, Mr. Johnson. This is pointless. Come back when you can report something positive.”

“But, Mr. Seguchi…”

“No! That's enough. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Of course, sir. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.” Johnson hurried out and Tohma sighed as the door closed behind him. This day was going to hell in fine fashion.

There was a knock at the door and Thomas stuck his head in. “Mr. Seguchi, Miranda Collins is here to see you.”

“Did she have an appointment?”

“No.” Thomas looked a little guilty. “She asked if you were in the office today and insisted on coming over when I said you were. I can ask her to come back.”

“No, that's all right. I'll see her. The day is already shot.”

Thomas closed the door, but a moment later, he knocked again and immediately opened it. “Miss Collins, sir.”

Miranda Collins was quite striking. She was taller than Tohma by a few inches, but very slender. Her hair was light brown, very straight and extremely long. Her eyes were green. Tohma could not decide if her features were more European or American. But what struck him the most was the way she moved. She flowed rather than walked.

“Please sit down, Ms. Collins.”

“Thank you, Mr. Seguchi, and please forgive me for coming without an appointment. I really wanted to see you. I've been a fan of yours for years.”

“You follow Nittle Grasper?”

She smiled enigmatically. “Not really. I mostly have been following your career. You're a fascinating man.” She leaned forward and fixed him with a seductive gaze. “I would love to spend some time with you.”

Tohma sat back. It was hardly the first time he'd been propositioned, although it had never before happened in his office. “Ms. Collins, I thought you came to see me on business.”

“We can talk business, if you like,” she said. She sat back. “Would you like to get your band, Moonlight Garden, back?”

“How did you know about that?”

“I arranged it.” She smiled again. “I needed a reason to see you, didn't I? But I can un-arrange it.”

“I don't respond to blackmail, Ms. Collins.”

“This isn't blackmail, Mr. Seguchi. It's an offer.” She stood up and flowed around the desk. Tohma turned in his chair to face her. She walked right up to him and leaned over, placing her hands on his shoulders and pushing him firmly against the seat back. “If you don't like it, I'll see that you get your band back anyway.” She brought her lips to his and kissed him lightly. Then she leaned to the side and flicked her tongue across his neck. “I love beautiful, androgynous men like you,” she whispered. She kissed him on the neck. And then she bit him.

Tohma gasped. He could feel her lips sucking against his skin. The slight twinge of discomfort her bite caused was lost beneath a surge of erotic pleasure that hardened him. He did not often react this way to a woman's touch and the surprise kept him from pushing her away. And then the pleasurable sucking sensation of her mouth stopped him. His mouth fell open and a long, soft sigh escaped him.

He did not know how long he sat there, letting her suck the blood from his throat, but when she finally moved away, dabbing at her lips with a tissue, he felt lightheaded.

“I knew it would be a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Seguchi,” she said. “I hope we will have many more opportunities to get together.” She smiled at him and there was still hunger in her eyes. “Good afternoon.”

Tohma just stared at the closed door after she left. A vampire! He had never really believed in them before. He put a hand to his throat. He should tell someone. He should tell K. Then he looked at the small smear of blood on his fingertips. He was not going to tell anyone. He was Tohma Seguchi and no one took advantage of him. Not even a damn vampire.