Oranges and Lemons
A Yami No Matsuei fic
By Lady Mari Chan
Disclaimer: I do not own Yami No Matsuei, or the Oranges and Lemons poem. Major creative liberties taken with storyline. Hisoka may be OOC in some respects, but you'd figure as time goes on, he'd open up more to Tsuzuki. Set five years into the partnership. Italics are the poem. Oranges and Lemons property of respected owner. Pairings: None. Enjoy!
Chapter 1:
He could hear a bell chime. Somewhere off in the distance, it rang. Constant, unchanging, calling to him. He turned to look behind him; as usual the wall was there. He could only move forward.
The hallway candelabras flickered in the light breeze caused by the overhead cooling vents. He shivered against the cool air pulling his Yukata tighter around him. With the noise of his slippers being the only companion he began the walk down the corridor knowing that to look behind him would only bring the wall closer.
Next he knew were the voices. They always began to whisper once he passed the fourth door. He counted off as the doors passed him. One. Two. Three. Four. On cue the voices began. He sped up his walking trying to out pace the voices. He had to reach the end of the hallway before the last line was spoken.
Oranges and lemons say the Bells of St. Clement's
He broke into a jog, hoping his plan would work.
You owe me five farthings say the Bells of St. Martin's
Faster he ran as the lines were recited.
When will you pay me? Say the Bells of Old Bailey
He slowed for a moment when he realized lines were different from before
I do not know. Say the Great Bells of Bow
His breath caught as a floating candle appeared before him and the axe fell…
Chip chop chip chop - the Last Man's Dead.
Hisoka's scream woke him up with a start, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. He sat up and wiped his hand over his face. His eyes adjusted to the room around him and he glanced over at the bed next to him to make sure he hadn't disturbed his partner. Tsuzuki seemed to be deep in sleep. Hisoka quietly pulled the covers back and climbed out. Stepping lightly over the neatly placed shoes he made his way to the bathroom. Unseen as the door closed, Tsuzuki rolled over and looked towards the closed door.
Hisoka splashed water onto his face and stared into the mirror. His nightmares usually centered on Muraki and the blood red moon of that night. Why were his dreams changing to include a house he had never seen? He took one of the glasses, filled it and downed the water in one motion. As he brought his hand up the sleeve of his shirt fell towards his elbow, uncovering the curse lines on his arm. He looked at the limb, then to the front of his shirt. Without having to pull the light fabric forward, Hisoka could make out the blood red markings on his chest. He sighed and leaned over the sink when a knock at the door brought him back to his senses.
"Hisoka? Are you ok?"
Hisoka blinded twice and straightened up. He found his voice after a moment. "No."
"Can I open the door?"
"Its not locked."
The door opened slowly and a disheveled Tsuzuki peered around the corner. He immediately noticed the curse marks.
"Muraki?"
Hisoka shook his head, blond hair fanning around his face. "No, this was a new dream I've been having lately."
"Lately?" Tsuzuki replied. "When did it begin?"
"First night on this case."
Tsuzuki noticed how Hisoka was clutching the side of the sink. "Can you stand?"
Hisoka pushed away from the counter and fell. Tsuzuki moved forward and caught him before his head hit the ground.
"Hisoka?"
"Guess I can't stand." He said quietly.
Tsuzuki moved to stand and picked Hisoka up off the floor. Hisoka looked as though he was about to protest, but Tsuzuki would have none of it.
"We've been partners for this long, I think I can carry you without protest for once."
Hisoka humfped in reply and let himself be carried.
Tsuzuki Asato and Kurosaki Hisoka worked together at the office of the Shinigami in the summoning bureau located in JuOuCho. Headed by the ministry of Hades, it was the job of the Shinigami or angels of death to bring wayward souls to judgment. The two had been partners for the last five years and had managed to hold the record for the most successful recoveries the department had ever seen. They were close friends who could read each other without words. Tsuzuki was older than Hisoka by 10 earth years, although in afterlife years, Tsuzuki was closer to 101 and Hisoka was 21.
The current case had them attempting to investigate and recover the souls of a murdered theatre troupe. The 10 souls ranged in age from 18 to 75. They had been on the case for three days. For the last three nights, Hisoka had dreamed the same dream.
Tsuzuki sat on the edge of his bed across from Hisoka. He had placed Hisoka back on his bed and pulled the covers back over him. Hisoka currently was on his side looking at his partner.
"And then what happens?" Tsuzuki asked.
Hisoka notably curled up and talked quietly. So quietly that Tsuzuki moved to sit on the floor next to the bed.
"…I walk down the hallway and I can't go back. If I turn around, the wall is there. Then I hear voices, they recite something, something I'm not familiar with. Finally, a candle appears and then an axe. Then I wake up."
Tsuzuki looked over and leaned his head against the bed. He smiled at his partner. "I can't tell you what it means, but I'm here to help you understand it."
Hisoka smiled and brought his hand out towards his friend.
"Thank you, Tsuzuki. That in itself helps."
Tsuzuki took hold of Hisoka's hand and squeezed. They held on for several seconds. "You want to try to go back to sleep?"
"Yeah." Hisoka said. "I can try."
Tsuzuki smiled and stood up. He straightened the covers on Hisoka's bed and leaned over to place a small kiss on Hisoka's forehead. Hisoka didn't protest.
"I'm here if you get scared."
Morning arrived peacefully and Hisoka had managed to sleep through the rest of the night without incident. After breakfast he and Tsuzuki headed back to the last known area the troupe had been. They interviewed workers at the theatre and looked around for any signs of foul play. Hisoka walked the backstage area trying to pick up any lingering emotions, while Tsuzuki spoke to the staff.
"They were the last performers here as the police wanted to complete the investigation before any other acts were booked." Stated the theatre manager. "It's sad really, they were a good group. Very entertaining."
"Were they staying at the local hotel? I'd like to go there and ask a few questions."
"They rented the Soto Mansion about a half mile north of here. I can give you directions if you want to go there."
"That would be great." Tsuzuki said.
Hisoka moved through the dressing areas and touched objects as he walked. He could feel small traces of emotions, but nothing that alarmed him. He continued to the stage area and met up with Tsuzuki who was waiting for the mansion information.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Tsuzuki. If you head out the front door and turn left at the road the place is on the left side. Follow this map, and you'll get there in about 20 minutes on foot."
Tsuzuki took the paper and thanked the manager. He and Hisoka walked out towards the front door and into the sunlight. The manager watched them leave and closed the door.
Tsuzuki and Hisoka walked alongside the road towards the mansion. The weather was warm with a slight breeze playing through the treetops.
"So Hisoka, were you able to pick up anything?"
"Nothing of any use. I felt emotions but they were calm, nothing out of the ordinary."
"So they felt no fear while in the threatre. So that means the murders happened either at the mansion or somewhere in between."
"Mm." Hisoka replied.
Tsuzuki stopped at an intersection and looked at the paper in his hands. "We go left."
They made the turn and came to a large gate. A sign fluttered in the breeze and Hisoka stopped it in order to read it.
'This property is currently closed, we are sorry for the inconvenience. Please visit our website for more information.'
"Well, it seems the murders took place here." Hisoka said looking through the ornate gate to the building beyond. He rattled the gate but it was locked.
"Looks like we have to teleport in." Tsuzuki stated.
"Yeah."
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
The two looked at each other and disappeared.
"Yes, I'm sure. Just like he said. One has blond hair and bright emerald green eyes. The other one has purple eyes and dark hair. Yes, like you asked. I sent them towards the mansion. Yes, OK, Yes. Thank you." The phone clicked as the end call button was pressed.
"Was that him?"
"Yes. He stated the money will be in the account in 24 hours."
"That's great, we can save the theatre."
"Yes, but at what cost to those two investigators. "
"We can't worry about that. We did what we needed to do."
Tsuzuki and Hisoka reappeared inside the lobby of the mansion and immediately Hisoka went down on his knees. So overloaded was his senses that he couldn't stand.
"Can't…" Hisoka squeaked.
Tsuzuki was next to him in an instant. He placed his arms around his partner and transported them both out.
OH no...Hisoka! Will he be OK? Can Tsuzuki help him? Chapter 2 to follow!