Amethyst embrace by: Reichkun

Chapter 1: Red Queen

: I thought my eyes were deceiving me, a glint of purple amidst the endless tract of sands. I stared again. It was indeed a gem -- an Amethyst hidden beneath the Terra Firma, revealed as blast of air swept away the dust and grit. I cannot describe how I had felt the moment its light first touched my dune … I have finally found my stone – mine alone to cherish and keep : - Muraki

It was an unusually nice quite afternoon inside the Kyuushuu sector of Enma-chou until…

"Urgent. Everyone is to report to my office immediately."

"Nandayo kore? Are we overbudgeting again?" Tatsumi asked, alarmed at Konoe's announcement. He found their leader sitting at his desk with his hands clasped together, his face a stern mask. Tatsumi started to calculate the possibility of an unavoidable financial crisis or another structural damage to the library, dreading that one - or worst, both - of his predictions might be true.

"Is everyone present and accounted for?"

"Hai!" responded enthusiastic Watari

"Everyone, a grave crime has been committed in this room. While we were busy attending to the pressing needs of accomplishing our today's work, someone had sneaked into my office and took something which is very vital to this department .. and to me."

: I knew it :

"And what was that something?" inquired Watari

"Everyone," Konoe announced, lifting his gaze upon his associates "someone has eaten my blueberry cheese cake"

--; … blue lines

"That's it! You brought all of us here in an emergency meeting for your .. your missing lunch!" Tatsumi spatted out, pissed at the ludicrous assembly.

"My pre-eaten dessert" Konoe corrected

"Nandayo! Think of the time wasted Konoe-sama. Now we'll never get this debts paid in time!" --X

"Don't get upset that easily Tatsumi-san. It was only...about for 5 minutes. No harm done," reassured Watari, patting Tatsumi's back.

"Besides," Hisoka assumed, "the only person who could have done such a thing would be…"

Everyone glowered at Tsuzuki. /except for Watari, of course /

"It was just a nibble," chibi Tsuzuki confessed innocently.

"Well, your little nibble had just resulted to our 'urgent' meeting right now" Tatsumi replied, annoyed.

"Gomenasai" Tsuzuki laughed weakly at his embarrassing situation.

"Tsuzuki.."

"Tatsumi-san, do I have to?" Tsuzuki complained

"It's your fault you can't handle your appetite for sweets" Tatsumi replied, pushing Tsuzuki to the door. "Now, you have to compensate by buying it – with your money, time and effort."

"But, Tatsumi-san.." Tsuzuki began, wobbly-eyed.

"I'm sorry Tsuzuki," Tatsumi said in a regretful manner, closing the door.

"This is not happening to me," Tsuzuki sighed and shook his head "I was this close in getting out of the goblin mines" (note: PC game)

Outside, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom; their petals flowing endlessly in a tranquilizing dance of nature. Tsuzuki watched with fascination as he strolled towards the busy streets of Tokyo. It wasn't long for the aroma of hot, freshly baked bread to finally catch his full attention.

"FoOd!" Tsuzuki shouted gleefully, pressing his face to the fogged glass window of the bakery. Inside were trays of sweet pastries of many varieties, ranging from brownies, cakes and cookies to pies, rolls and tarts.

"Ohayo, Tsuzuki-san"

It probably took more than Tsuzuki's mental effort to tear himself away from the heavenly sight of the festive board /I swear I saw him drool/ to see the person greeting him. It's rarely for anyone to see a shinigami, let alone recognize and greet him in a manner as a friend.

Standing next to him was a man clad in a white lab coat; his silver hair glistening in the white sun.

"Muraki," Tsuzuki muttered with antipathy, narrowing his eyes at the sight of his archenemy. "What do you want?"

Muraki smiled. "I was hoping you might want to join me for a light snack – my treat to be exact."

"I'm sorry, but I have to decline"

Muraki slightly cocked his head. "Your stomach is telling me the other way around"

Tsuzuki glared at those silver eyes, frustrated at his present predicament. "I have some other things in mind right now. Please excuse me." He turned to walk away.

"Matè, Tsuzuki-san" Muraki called out, grabbing Tsuzuki's arm. " Pardon my rash invitation. I was rather overly enthusiastic at the prospect of making acquaintance with you."

Tsuzuki, confused at Muraki's declaration, lowered his guard.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you to go with me tonight."

Tsuzuki jerked off Muraki's hand on his arm, taken aback at his latest proposal."What the heck do you think I am!"

"I assume you are most interested at the place we will be going. Is it reasonable enough for me to ask you out?"

"What makes you think that I'll be interested at your proposition?"

Muraki waved a couple of tickets in front of Tsuzuki's face. "The Carnival's grand opening is on 6 o'clock tonight. I'm sure it promises exciting things to happen. After all, it comes only once a year and first good tickets are hard to find these days."

"Carnival?" Tsuzuki repeated

"Hai" Muraki nodded in agreement.

"Anou.." Tsuzuki blinked, picturing a possibility

Muraki smiled at his companion's abrupt consideration on his invitation. "Tell you what. I'll let you keep this ticket since you're still indecisive right now." He took Tsuzuki's hand and placed one of the tickets. "Whether you're going or not, I just want you to know that I'll be waiting for you at the main entrance of the carnival." He made a small bow and left.

Tsuzuki watched him leave. He opened his palm and was surprised to see the ticket and a tiny rose along with it. Gently, he placed them both inside his pocket and slowly wandered back to Emma-chou. /without the cake/