~Five Years Later~

The photograph fell from the journal like a leaf from a dying tree. Yoochun’s heart twisted in his chest as he picked it off the floor, examining the smiling face of the boy in the middle. His almond shaped eyes sparkled in light from a sun unseen in the photo, his smile as dazzling as Yoochun remembered it. On his left was Yoochun himself, and on his right was Junsu. Their arms were slung around each other as the boy in the middle held the camera in front of him with one hand, taking a photo of the three of them. Yoochun could still remember the day the photo was taken. It had been the idea of the smiling boy in the middle. It had been taken that terrible day their clan, along with countless others, had been destroyed by the vampires. Jaejoong had been snatched away before they could properly finish the job.

“Yoochun?”

Torn from his thoughts, Yoochun turned towards the sound of the voice, towards Junsu, older and more worn down than he had been the day the photo was taken.

“Hey, Junsu,” he tried to smile, but suddenly found he couldn’t. The photograph had stirred too many memories.

Junsu frowned, his brow creasing. “You okay?”

“Ah...” Yoochun sighed, biting his lip. He debated lying, saying he was fine, but at this point, his hesitation had probably tipped his friend off. He shook his head, his shoulders slumping.

“Something happen?” Junsu stepped over to him, slinging an arm around his shoulder, offering him some form of comfort.

Yoochun merely lifted the photograph, showing it to Junsu. In an instant, his friend had reached for it, pulling it from his fingers.

“Where did you find this...?” he asked.

“In his journal,” Yoochun confessed. “I just...I wanted to remember him and the photo fell out,”

Junsu nodded slowly. “Did you read the journal?”

“No, I just found it in his old backpack,”

“Ah...” Junsu bit his lip, lowering the photograph. “Yoochun...you...know he might not even be alive,”

“I don’t want to believe that,”

“Even if he is still alive he’s...probably...not like us anymore,”

A tear escaped Yoochun’s eye. He wiped it away quickly, taking a shaky breath. “I know. I just...it’s been five years. I don’t ever want to stop looking for that bastard that took him away. I feel like his memory will die if I do,”

Junsu lifted the picture again, sighing slightly as he stared at the image of himself, his absent friend’s arm slung around him. “...I think he knew what would happen,” he said softly. “That’s why he wanted us to take the picture,”

Yoochun let out a bitter chuckle. “He was always really good at guessing, wasn’t he?”

Junsu just nodded. “He said it himself. ‘This might be the last time we’re together like this. We should take a photo’. He was right...”

“I wish he wasn’t,” Yoochun mumbled.

“So do I,”

“I miss him so much...”

Junsu squeezed Yoochun’s shoulder a little tighter, turning the photo over to read the writing on the back. The last message their friend had left to the world.

My friends. Always keep the faith. I love you ♥

~ Jaejoong

“I hope we find him,” Yoochun growled. “That son of a ...I’m going to kill that monster for taking him,”

“One step at a time, Chunnie,” Junsu said calmly, setting the photograph on the journal that had been abandoned on the desk. “If Jaejoong is still alive, we’ll find him. Even if he’s...one of them...we’ll find him,”

Yoochun nodded numbly, reaching for the photograph one final time and stuffing it back in the journal where it belonged. Though it was his original intention, he didn’t dare read the chicken scratch writing covering the pages. Jaejoong had written many journals, most of which had been hidden back at his mother’s farmhouse. This particular one was his newest, left behind in his knapsack the day he was taken. It hadn’t been filled, but it still contained Jaejoong’s story. Yoochun wanted to read it someday, though he was unsure if he could handle it. After all, a simple photograph had him wishing for the past. He didn’t dare think of what Jaejoong’s own words would do to him. Regardless, he couldn’t help but tuck the journal into the inside pocket of his jacket.

“Anyway, I was looking for you,” Junsu said, trying to put the photograph behind him. “Hakyeon wanted to see us,”

“About what?” Yoochun asked.

“He didn’t say,” Junsu shrugged. “He just said to come. I’ll bet it’s going to be another meeting. Hakyeon likes to hold them, doesn’t he?”

Despite everything, Yoochun managed a smile. “Best not keep him waiting then,”

“Just what I was about to say,” Junsu chuckled.

Though it had been five years since the attack that had destroyed their clan and separated them from Jaejoong, it had only been three years since they joined forces with the small group a young man named Hakyeon called his clan. He’d been tense on their first meeting, unsure of whether two trust two clanless slayers, but once they’d been accepted into the group, he quickly warmed up and treated them like family, even if they barely knew each other. The other two members of the slayer group were equally as welcoming.

Hongbin was the older of the two, often not saying much but still strikingly handsome. He’d reminded Yoochun of Jaejoong so much that at first, it had hurt. He’d taken it onto himself to protect the boy when he could. However, Hongbin seemed to reject the help most of the time, determined to carry his own weight – which he was certainly capable of doing. Hongbin was incredibly skilled and strong, even if he looked as fragile as an infant.

On the other side of the spectrum was Sanghyuk who was as brash as he was young. He took pride in the number of vampires he’d slain and always wanted to go in for the kill to add another tally to the sheet he kept tucked away in his back pocket. He’s the one Yoochun really had to keep an eye on. Hakyeon had even asked him and Junsu to make extra sure he didn’t do anything stupid in a fight. They’d all silently voted Sanghyuk as the most likely to be bitten or killed. They didn’t dare tell their youngest that.

Hakyeon was waiting for them near the edge of their camp, chewing his thumbnail and tapping his foot nervously. They’d been lucky enough to find an old cabin that night, giving them the rare chance to sleep under a roof. It was lucky, considering how hard it had rained that night. The creaky door swung shut behind them as they stepped towards their fretting friend.

“What’s up, Hakyeon?” Yoochun questioned.

The male pursed his lips, lowering his thumb from his mouth. “One of our ally clans captured a vampire last night. They’re in the middle of interrogating him,”

“What is he saying?”

“Just come and see for yourself,” Hakyeon beckoned them, turning and leading them down a path. “Hongbin and Sanghyuk are already there, so don’t wait up for them,”

Breaking into a slight trot at Hakyeon’s brisk jog, Junsu pinched the cross pendant dangling over his chest. He whispered something to it before letting it go, a habit Yoochun had gotten used to seeing. Junsu was always praying in one way or another. He’d stopped asking what he was praying about when he received the simple answer of ‘safety’ for what must’ve been the hundredth time. Even so, his mind was racing so badly, he had to ask.

“What was that one about?” Yoochun asked, jogging beside him.

“Jaejoong,” Junsu replied. “I want this vampire to have information about Jaejoong. I feel like we’re getting close,”

“Not safety?”

“I asked for that too,”

Yoochun chuckled.

Hakyeon shushed them from up front as he slowed to a simple walk once more. An old train yard was their destination. Yoochun could already hear the faint sound of an agonized shout coming from one of the rusting cars. Hakyeon led them to the massive shipping crate and climbed inside, announcing his return almost immediately and silencing the screams.

Yoochun and Junsu climbed into the box, swallowing at the sight of what was in front of them. A vampire, appearing to be around twenty something in human years, was tied tightly to a rack with chains that were probably plated or made with pure silver. It was a male, his bare torso covered in angry red burn marks edged with black. A young slayer was standing over the form clutching a silver rod, his hair falling over his face as he looked over at the newcomers.

Junsu and Yoochun were easily able to pick Hongbin and Sanghyuk out of the crowd, but the other six young men surrounding the vampire were unfamiliar. The one closest to them had a strangely babyish face, but Yoochun was certain he was far older than he looked.

“I know you haven’t met these two,” Hakyeon said. “So I’d like to introduce them to you. This is Yoochun and Junsu,”

“Hyunseung,” the man with the rod said casually, as though standing over a tortured vampire was the most normal thing in the world.

“I’m Yoseob,” the baby faced man said.

One by one, the six slayers introduced themselves. Doojoon was the oldest of the group while the youngest was a man named Dongwoon. Gikwang was a smiley young boy who instantly perked up at the sight of the cross dangling from Junsu’s chest. Yoochun was quick to identify the silver cross earing hanging from his lobes. The final one of the group was Junhyung, who hung as far away from the wounded vampire as he could, twirling his stake between his fingers as though waiting for something to go horribly wrong. All things considered, Yoochun thought he was the smartest one in the room.

“Did you get any more information out of him?” Hakyeon asked.

“Not much,” Hyunseung said, shrugging. “A description of his master at the very least,”

“What’s the description?”

It was Doojoon who answered the question. “His master is a vampire with black hair and red eyes,”

Yoochun felt his heart leap. Junsu shot him a wide eyed look, biting his lip.

Gikwang frowned, noticing Junsu’s sudden change in composure. “Do you know a vampire with that description?”

Junsu nodded numbly while Yoochun fished inside his jacket for that journal, glad he’d tucked it away now.

“Yes,” Yoochun said calmly, opening it and removing the photograph. “A vampire with black hair and red eyes killed our clan and took one of our friends,”

Doojoon’s brow creased. “Do you think...? Maybe...?”

“Maybe,” Yoochun replied, stepping up beside the vampire. He swallowed, watching him pant breathlessly through the pain of his wounds, his closed eyes half hidden by sweaty, red bangs.

“Leech,” Hyunseung said tonelessly. “Wake the up before I stab you again,”

The vampire snapped his eyes open, his sky blue eyes piercing the darkness as he snarled at Hyunseung.

“Look at me,” Yoochun said sharply, not flinching when the vampires eyes turned towards him. “And answer me when I ask you this. Did your master kidnap someone?”

The vampire laughed. “Hyung has taken many people into his coven,” he said, his grin showing off his perfectly white fangs. “Many were kidnapped, of course,” he turned his sharp eyes up at Hyunseung and gave a cold smile. “Like he’ll kidnap you when he sees you. He has a soft spot for pretty faces,”

Hyunseung’s jaw clenched and a moment later, he’d jabbed the silver rod into the vampire’s arm. The loud scream that ripped through the air and the sizzling pop and crackle of burning flesh made Yoochun want to throw up, but he stood his ground until Hyunseung removed the rod, leaving the vampire gasping for breath once more.

“Show him the picture,” Junsu said, his arms crossed.

“Pay attention,” Yoochun told the vampire. The creature stared up at him, his eyes squinting through the pain. “I want you to look at this photo. The man in the middle. Is he one of the people your master kidnapped?” he held the photograph out towards him, revealing Jaejoong’s face to the demon.

There are some emotions that are difficult to hide, and recognition happened to be one of them. Yoochun watched the vampire’s eyebrow quirk upwards in surprise, his lips parting for the briefest of moments.

“Wow, isn’t this something,” the vampire said, his lips quirking into a smile once more. “I do recall a face. He doesn’t quite look like that now, sadly. Or perhaps...fortunately. Last I saw him, he was much nicer looking than that,”

“So you’ve seen him?” Yoochun pulled the photograph away, trying not to let desperation seep into his voice. “Where is he? What has your master done with him?”

“Hyung has made him perfect,” the vampire sighed contentedly. “He’s eternal, immortal, just like me,”

Yoochun felt his blood run cold. Jaejoong was a vampire...he already knew that might’ve been the case, but he never once wanted to believe it. “Where is he?” he demanded.

“I don’t know,” the vampire replied.

Hyunseung dug the rod in again, making the creature shriek.

“I don’t know! I swear!” He keened, and the rod was once again withdrawn. “He escaped on the same day he was reborn! Hyung has been searching for him ever since, but he can’t find him,”

“No,” Yoochun growled. “There’s no way he escaped. If he had, he’d have come looking for us,”

Hyunseung raised the rod again.

“Would he though?” Junsu’s voice cut through the silence, causing everyone’s heads to turn towards him. “Would he really come back to a group of slayers as a vampire? No, would he really come back to his friends? I don’t see Jaejoong doing that. He’d have been too afraid of hurting us. I think he’s telling the truth,”

The vampire let out a snort and a laugh. “Great. Saved by a slayer with a cross on his chest,”

“It’s silver plated. I will put it through your eye,” Junsu said casually, the crucifix on its chain.

Gikwang let out a giggle, the sound quickly followed by a chuckle from Dongwoon.

“Back to the point,” Hyunseung shifted the rod in his hand. “Where were we before...oh yeah. Where is your master?”

“Eat dirt, mortal,” the vampire growled. “Stab me all you want. I won’t tell you,”

“I can do this all day, leech,” Hyunseung stabbed the rod into him once more, drawing that scream from the creature. “It will never get boring,”

“And that,” Junhyung said softly as Yoochun leaned against the wall beside him, “is why Hyunseung is the one who does the torturing in this clan,”

“I’m going to guess,” Yoochun mumbled, sliding the photograph back into Jaejoong’s old journal. “Hyunseung lost family to vampires and now he’s out for blood,”

“Actually...yeah that’s exactly what happened,” Junhyung shrugged, continuing to twirl his stake.

“Awesome,” Yoochun said, folding his arms across his chest. “At least one of us slayers has a cliché, tragic backstory,”

The small snicker that slid from Junghyun’s lips was enough to draw the slightest smile onto Yoochun’s features. “We’re like a bad anime, really,” he said casually.

“No kidding. My whole life is a bad anime,”

“Welcome to the club,” Junghyun clenched the stake in his fist and held it out for props. Yoochun bumped his knuckles against his and rolled his eyes with a smile as he turned back towards Hyunseung who was now shouting obscenities at the vampire.

“I don’t give a flying what you to do to me,” the vampire snarled. “Hyung will come for me and you’ll get yours. Oh I expect he’ll have so much fun with you,”

Hyunseung stabbed the rod through the vampire’s chest, not close enough to the heart to cause the incapacitation that made striking the heart desirable, but close enough to cause serious pain. Yoochun couldn’t help but grimace slightly.

“Last chance!” The madness in Hyunseung’s eyes was apparent, even if he wasn’t directing them towards Yoochun himself. “Tell me where your master is!”

“Fine, you want to know?” The vampire grinned coldly up at him. “In hell, where you will be,”

With those words, Hyunseung seemed to have lost all sanity. He raised the rod, the point aimed at the vampire’s battered body, his teeth gritted together so tight, Yoochun was surprised he didn’t break any. The metal shone for the briefest of moment before it plunged into the creatures chest. He let out a choked cry just before his body fell limp, the paralysis induced by a pierced heart overtaking his body. A single stake through the heart was always enough to render a vampire near dead. In that position, they could be easily burned and eliminated from the world.

“Doojoon, let’s kill him and be done with it,” Hyunseung growled, leaving the rod imbedded in the vampires flesh and turning towards his elder.

Doojoon shook his head, uncrossing his arms as he approached the unconscious vampire. “No. He’s still of use to us. After all, if what he says is true, he’s bait. His master will come for him, and when that happens, we’ll take him down,”

Junsu frowned. “I hate to break it to you but...if this...thing’s ‘hyung’ is the vampire that took Jaejoong, then we might not stand much of a chance,”

Yoochun swallowed, knowing he was right.

“It killed our whole clan,” Junsu rasped. “Yoochun and I are all that’s left,”

“We’ll keep that in mind, thank you,” Doojoon replied, nodding.

Junsu merely the cross dangling over his chest, pinching it between his fingers as he bowed his head.

“This creature isn’t going anywhere tonight,” Doojoon said, taking on his leader’s voice once more. “Even so, we’re taking shifts to guard it. Junhyung, Yoseob, you get first watch. Gikwang and Dongwoon will take second, and Hyunseung and I will take the final. Hakyeon, it’s up to you how you divide your members.”

Hakyeon merely nodded and immediately scheduled himself and Hongbin to first watch, Sanghyuk to final, and Junsu and Yoochun to middle. Yoochun hated middle watch, as it meant interrupted sleep, but an attack was most likely in the middle of the night. The more man power they had at that critical time, the better.

With the assignments completed, the group scattered, leaving Junhyung, Yoseob, Hakyeon and Hongbin to guard the motionless vampire.

“We can’t stay, Yoochun,” Junsu whispered when they were out of earshot of the other slayers. “If that vampire does come-”

“But what if we stand a chance, Junsu?” Yoochun asked, stopping and turning towards him. “What if we actually kill this vampire? What if we find out where Jaejoong is from him?”

“It feels like a false hope, Chunnie,” Junsu sighed. “You heard the vampire in there. Jaejoong’s one of them now. More than that, he escaped. God knows where he is or even if he’s still alive. For all we know, another clan of slayers got to him,”

Yoochun shuddered to think of Jaejoong, his face rendered painfully beautiful, writhing as the flames burned his body to ash. He closed his eyes and shook off the thought, turning away from his friend.

“I know it’s stupid, Junsu,” he said softly. “But I believe in Jaejoong. I always have. I can’t help but feel like he’s still out there. If he’d died...I would know it. That’s how I feel,”

Junsu bit his lip, seemingly searching for some kind of excuse or some way to counter Yoochun’s statement. His shoulders sagged when he thought of nothing, turning towards him with a slight smile.

“You’ve known him longer than I have,” Junsu replied. “Who knows...you might be right,”

Yoochun hoped he was.

.

.

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A/N: That's the worst the torture scenes will generally get. If you could get through this, then you should be fine with the rest of the story.

I'd like to thank all of you who subscribed to the story so far. Thank you so much! It means a whole lot to me that you guys are interested in the story I've put together. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you will enjoy the chapters to come just as much! The next update should come sometime this weekend or early next week!

Thanks again!

~starlitskies