Plain.
1.Fear.
T: Another fic written in order to challenge my imagination (and hopefully yours) a little! AU right from the word go, angst, random theories, OOC, slash in later chapters, potential for slow updates further down the line. I own nothing you see here other than the plot bunny and all the madness it incurs!!
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At twenty years of age Kurosaki Hisoka was a strong figurehead for the prestigious Kurosaki linage. He'd overcome the disadvantages of his slight stature, feminine appearance and gained influence within the corporate market, earning himself the nickname 'north wind' for his cool, no nonsense approach to business matters.
His father was, supposedly, proud of these achievements but, as the man had not yet informed him of this himself, he was doubtful that this was truly the case.
His mother would, whenever they met for tea, assure him that this was simply his father's way, that somewhere within the indifference Kurosaki Nagare cared for his son.
This was something he knew was not true, a lie that his mother told to keep herself happy and because she believed speaking it kept Hisoka happy also.
He never quite had the heart to tell her that this was not the case, that he knew how his father felt about him and that he'd long since given up on changing this fact, had long since given up on gaining anything other than cool indifference from the other.
"…soka…Hisoka?" The voice starts him back to the present and back to a face that is uncannily akin to his own.
It is a similarity caused by the genetic link between them for Minase Hijiri was his first cousin on his father's side.
"You haven't been listening to a word I've said, have you?" Hijiri enquires as he lets out a little breath of frustration.
"My mind was elsewhere."
"Are you actually admitting a weakness?"
"Don't tease, Hijiri." He remarks as he turns his attention back to his coffee.
His cousin pushes himself a little forwards on his seat, the movement enough to close a little of the divide that the table has placed between them and bring their faces to an equal level.
"You are right, Hisoka, I should not have teased you. Is there something that you wish to talk about?"
It has always been this way between them, the collar of his father's stringent upbringing causing him to place up fronts and the soft care of Hijiri's upbringing allowing him the patience to pull them away, to expose Hisoka's 'true' nature.
"Do you think that it is possible to know another's emotions?"
"Of course, through their posture or the inflection of their voice."
"Do you think it possible to simply be able to see someone once and know how they are feeling, to know such a thing even when there is a vast distance between you?"
His cousin tenses and, settling back into his chair, he enquires,
"Why are you asking this, Hisoka?"
"Recently I have been feeling emotions that are not my own…experiencing the pain of others as though I am the one hurting…"
"Hisoka…" Not a moment later Hijiri is at his side, a hand settling onto his shoulder in order to pull him into a firm hug. "How long has this been going on?" He enquires once he has relinquished his grip.
"A month…perhaps a little more."
"Damn your father for making you believe that you needed to keep such a thing to yourself, that doing as such is a show of how strong you are."
"Father had nothing to do with my choice. I was afraid…"
"That I would turn you aside? Hisoka, I would never…"
"I know and I am sorry that I allowed myself to believe otherwise." He responds as he leans a little into the other's side.
"It'll be fine, Hisoka, you'll see. Together we'll find a way to get you through this."
The certainty in his cousin's voice, combined with the brotherly affection that leaks from him in powerful waves, sooths away the remaining doubts in his mind and, smiling, he says,
"I believe you."
…………………………………………………………………………………
They had decided to walk a little together despite the fact that their destinations lie in opposing directions.
Hijiri is regaling him with a tale of a recent dram at his workplace, the wide hand gestures and mimicry of his employee's voices drawing laughter from him.
Suddenly a wave of shear terror blots out this sense of hilarity and he topples onto his knees.
Hijiri is at his side but an instant later, the concern washing off of the other making his sense of disillusionment all the worse.
"I'll be fine!" He remarks as he stumbles up onto his feet and begins to run.
Eventually he stumbles over an object in his path and, turning back, he is met with the blood stained pallor of an outstretched arm.
He gazes, numbly, at that arm and she to whom it is attached, takes in the full horror of the scene and forces back the bile that rises in his throat.
"Did you see what happened?" The question is unexpected for he had believed himself 'alone' and thus, despite the kindness laced into the words, he flinches.
An instant later he is gazing in violet eyes that brim with so many emotions that, despite his newly found 'gift' remaining tantalisingly out of reach.
"My name is Tsuzuki Asato, do you think you can tell me what it was that you saw?"
He manages only a violent shake of his head, before his body finally relents to the intense exhaustion that has been eating away at him since he left his cousin and he falls into unconsciousness.
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T: All loose ends should be tied up within the story but if there's something you really want to know now ask and I'll give you an answer! Also, while you're doing that, how about letting me know what you think so far? Next chapter either tomorrow or Wed depending on how busy housework makes me.