Curiosity Killed the Cat
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Notes: Well, here it is... my first odd bit of a plotbunny that refused to go away. I have no clue if it's any good, or worth continuing, or is awkward, but... I figured I'd see what the reviews say. Please tell me what you think of it!

Disclaimer is the usual stuff... I don't own anything but my ideas and work, and the bishounen aren't mine... how sad

Other: Tsuzuki and Hisoka are one of my all-time fave couples. Expect it.... hell, most of this is fluff anyway. Watari and Tatsumi will likely be secondary characters, sadly. Muraki will enter if he forces his creepy little way in. OC? I might need a random person.

I have no spellcheck. There will be typos. There also will be some Japanese, as I adore the language, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum. Also, there are two styles used. First person for Hisoka, third person for Tsuzuki or Tsu/Hi parts. I mark where they are, so don't be surprised.

This is after the Kyoto Arc, but I have yet to put in spoilers (Devil's Trill is briefly mentioned) so even if you haven't seen it, it's pretty general. The rating is more a just-in-case thing. Later parts are likely to be more PG13, so I figured I'd put that rating right off. Anyway, on to the ficcage!

-Imb-chan

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There are times when I really, truly hate my life. When everything just goes so horribly wrong that I want to pull my hair out, scream until my voice is hoarse then flop down and sleep for a month. When it seems like I'm a pawn in some demented feind's game and he purposfully makes it miserable for me, laughing all the while--this is sounding far too much like Muraki for my comfort. Time to hop back on topic. As it so happens, today is one of those very bad days, the ones that should be erased from history, memory, time... just gone. Oh, how I wish...

This was supposed to be a simple assignment to get Tsuzuki and I adjusted to field work again. A one-day case at most, just find the hiding little boy and be on our way--open and shut, piece-of-cake case. I think I'll throttle Tatsumi when I get back... scratch that, I'll glare, as Tatsumi is too intimidating for otherwise. But Tsuzuki I will beat up for letting things up like this. Stupid Tsuzuki, run off and leave me looking for you and this happens. I'll claw your eyes out! Nobody told me this case involved transfiguration spells! I don't enjoy being an animal, and with only that idiot working on it, I'll stay like this for a week! Hell, I'll be lucky if he can even tell this is me.

A cat. Of all things, a cat. It's not that I hate them, it's just that something about their eyes is unnerving--dark slits in vibrant eyes, always with a predatory look to them. Hijiri's eyes were like that, and Saaganatsu was a dog... but I doubt that has a thing to do with this case. That violinist is long gone, and good riddence. What matters now is that I'm a cat sitting on my clothes, and can't do anything but hope Tsuzuki comes to check out the crime scene before too long.

Wait a sec, why in the hell am I preening myself? Is that just the cat bit taking over? I have hair on my tongue, and this is normal for cats... great. So all I can do now is sit and think things through. A string of children's souls had gone missing, and one of them was originally from out district, so it was enough of an excuse to take that area. Watari better have a cure for this--wait, he's the one who does initial case info, he probobly knew about this and didn't tell us! Too busy with those damnable potions, I bet.

Must keep focus! The string is interesting, yes, but I will NOT play with it. I have to think about the case.... No souls, no bodies left behind... had they all been turned into cats? No, this was not going to be his day... or week. So I was turned into a cat because I did something, but what? What is the purpose of it? The souls were still missing, so perhaps they were running loose as animals. What kind of person would lock people's souls into a cat body!? It's just ridiculous, if you ask me, but at this point I can' talk, so there's no point.

Somebody's mind just brushed against mine... it seemed familiar. No, I can't assume! I need to get off of my clothes and hide, and that couch looks perfect. The flexibility of a cat's body is quite amazing, really, to be able to fit into such small spaces. One small blessing, I suppose, of this ridiculous transformation. Ah, the door's opening! Please let it be Tsuzuki....if anyone.

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With a loud protest, the door swung open, disturbing several cobwebs on its way. Violet eyes scanned the darkness, looking for the familiar figure of his partner.

"Hisoka?" he whispered loudly, hoping that he would finally find him. No reply. Another glance around the room and a pile of something caught his eyes, which he practically leapt upon. Clothes. Hisoka's clothes. The realization caused blood to rush to his face, Hisoka's clothes!? That means he's running around NAKED? No, he'd never... Muraki? No, they're not damaged. Then what? Why would... Hisoka... leave his clothes here? Several dirty images came to his mind, and he shoved them aside. No, the boy would never randomly strip, and Tsuzuki refused to think of the connotations that went along to nudity. With another blush he folded them up and looked around, eyes full of worry.

"Hisoka? Are you there?" There was a noise, and he spun around, staring at the couch. No Hisoka... but there was a cat. Of all things, a cat. A young tawny-haired thing it was, with lovely green eyes.

"Hey, there, little guy. Are you lost?" he asked kindly, reaching out a hand to the small critter. Animals always were a soft spot, and he couldn't help but love the cuddly kinds. Despite his worry he managed to smile at the timid kitten, who was unsure whether to come forward or run away. It took two cautious steps forward, mewling slightly, and he took that as enough initiative to pick up the furball and begin petting it, careful to give it room enough to run away if it was scared.

"Have you seen Hisoka?" he asked the cat idly, trying not to worry as much.

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What in the hell am I doing? I'm sitting here and letting Tsuzuki hold me while we should be solving the case! It was scary enough, having huge hands pick me up and try to pin me down, but to be so far from the ground and surrounded by Tsuzuki and more Tsuzuki. Then he started petting me... and I understood why cats purr--it feels good. I usually hate being touched, but there was something so soothing, comforting in that simple action I couldn't resist. My partner's worry felt faint compared to the simple pleasure of petting, the kind touch I hadn't really had--or allowed--before. Now I was indulging in it rather shamelessly, but it's not like I could really help it. It felt wonderful to have my belly rubbed, and I would die of embarassment if I'd ever admit that to anybody, but Tsuzuki's warm emotions focused towards me and the simple joy of being stroked was enough to send me into purring oblivion. I didn't even notice he was walking around with my clothes tucked under his arm all the while, searching the house calling my name, until a sharp pang of worry reached through. What am I supposed to do? I can't exactly tell him what's going on... how will he solve the case by himself?! I bet he'll give up and go have dessert soon. The amount of worry surprised me... I didn't know he cared that much. Shit, I'm getting too close... no... shit!


Hisoka where are you? I'm worried so worried what if something happened to you it'd be my fault what if you're hurt MURAKI! He better not have you no I'm supposed to protect you you're my partner you need me I don't want to fail you it's my fault again please be ok Hisoka Hisoka Hisoka where are you I miss you I don't want to be alone where are you? are you hurt? its all my fault no no no

I couldn't help it, I hissed and clawed him, forcing him to stop thinking in that rut and give me a moment of peace. He looks so sad as he looks at me, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," and strokes under my chin gently. Do I mean that much to him? Why is he worried so much about me, anyway? Doesn't he think I can take care of myself?... Not like I can, look at me! I'm reduced to a fluffy animal! If this reaches the office I'll never live it down, I can see it now: Watari trying to turn people into animals with his crazy potions, Wakaba wanting to see the "cute little kitty-Hisoka," Saya and Yuna wanting to play dress-up-the-cat... I shudder to think of it, so I have to get this solved fast...But how?

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Where's Hisoka? I haven't found a trace of him and it's worrying me. No blood, no signs of struggle, no cryptic messages or silver hairs scattered about--only that orange shirt, denim jacket, jeans, and those funny-looking sneakers and sock were left behind...plus his underwear, but thinking about that's perverted so just kept those tucked inside the shirt and leave it at that.

Tsuzuki's mind was a mess as he scoured the house for his partner one more time, praying that he'd overlooked something. The tomcat was the only link with reality, never letting him get carried away before clawing him. Keeping him in check, just like...

"You remind me of Hisoka, with those green eyes and tan fur, you know that?" he said softly to the not-quite-kitten as he walked back to the room he was supposed to share with the boy.

"Do you mind staying with me for a while? I could use some company...." He got an adorable kitty-yawn in response, and a small smile crept to his face. Maybe the cat would distract him enough to get a few hours' sleep.

"I hope the manager doesn't find out you're here, he'll get mad at me and throw you out. Be a good boy and behave, okay?...." As he opened the door to the empty room, his face fell. "Here I am, talking to a cat while Hisoka is who-knows-where enduring who-knows-what and I can't do anythi-OW!"
As if on cue, the kitten had chomped down on his hand, hard. It glared (as best a cat could glare, anyway), growled, and then looked where it had bit him. Licking it clean as an apology, the friendly feline calmed him down considerably. Tsuzuki ruffed up its fur much like he'd muss up Hisoka's hair in a friendly gesture, eyes soft.

"Sorry I upset you, little buddy. I'm just... really worried, that's all" the furball looked at him, seeming almost... dubious. "Oh, don't look at me like that! I'm anxious because... he matters so much to me... He needs me. I've never been... needed before, I don't know what to do...." he drifted off, staring into space until his tummy rumbled. "AH! FOOD! I'll order something, maybe I can have it delivered!... I hope they're still open~!"