2. Anger.

T: Warnings remain the same, so does the disclaimer.

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"…for rescuing him." Hijiri feels distracted, curious and a little aggravated, emotions that seep into his skin as unwanted things, their presence merely serving to intensify the headache that lingers at his temples.

Opening his eyes the barest of inches he finds his cousin lent slightly over his recumbent form, his attention fixed on the individual he had been conversing with. The fact that he can not feel anything of this other's emotions lays a suspicion of his identity in his heart and, rolling in their direction, he is greeted again with the unique amethyst eyes of Tsuzuki Asato.

"Welcome back," The elder man remarks, his voice filled with such a force of kindness that he can not but wonder why he can not feel this emotion.

"Where am I?" He enquires as he turns to again face his cousin.

"Tsuzuki-san helped me bring you back to my apartment…what happened Hisoka? One moment you were fine and the next…"

"I felt stifled and so I attempted to find somewhere to be alone…unfortunately all I found was that woman…" he trails as the memory of that discovery makes him feel again nauseous and, almost as though sensing this distress, Tsuzuki enquires,

"Do you think you could get him a glass of water, Minase-kun? I'd go myself…"

"I understand, Tsuzuki-san. I'll only be a few minutes, Hisoka."

It takes a moment for Hijiri's emotional imprint to dissipate from the room and it is only once it has done as such that he feels a little more 'himself'.

"Do you feel better now?"

"Yes, thank you." He wishes to ask the other if he had sent Hijiri away because he understood, because he knew of his 'gift', wishes to ask also why, if the other is as lonely as his eyes would suggest, he has closed himself off, yet the words stifle in his throat as he feels a familiar crush of emotions heading in their direction.

The residual nausea, fear and curiosity snap from him as though they have never existed and, despite his 'visitor's' protestations, he forces himself up and out of the bed.

An instant later Kurosaki Nagare enters the room, his face void of emotions but his heart filled with a broil of anger and resentment.

"Tousama." He bows low; humbling himself despite the fact that he has long since been his father's equal and deliberately avoids eye contact with the other.

"I understand that you collapsed."

"That is correct, tousama."

"I expect you to train twice as hard this next week in payment for the stigma this show of weakness has placed onto the family name."

"As you wish, tousama.

"I understand that you aided Minase-kun in bringing my son here."

There has been no change in his father's tone, nor pause in breath and it takes all the control he has to squash the anger he feels for this fact, for the knowledge that he is equal to a stranger in his father's regard.

"That is correct. If you could just allow me a moment to talk to your son alone, Kurosaki-san…"

"My son is very busy and has little time to spend on idle chatter." His father retorts before saying, "Indeed he is already a minute late for an important board meeting, so if you will excuse us…"Trailing he gives a cursory bow of his head and then leaves the room, his body language making it clear that he expects his son to follow.

Offering Tsuzuki a more appropriate half bow he says, "Thank you for your help," before he follows on his father's heals.

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"…best that you see my doctor." His mother concludes as she places her cup back onto the tatami.

It has been a week since he discovered the corpse, since he showed the small weakness that has been the indirect cause of the bruises peppering his skin, and he had believed the matter drawn to a natural conclusion. Thus it is with a hint of surprise in his voice that he enquires,

"Why do you say that, Kasama?"

"You collapsed, sweet, something that is not at all natural for one of your constitution. You also witnessed a terrible thing and it would do you well to discuss that fact."

"I am fine, kasama, both mentally and physically."

"I am certain that that is the case, Hisoka, but could you not indulge me this once?"

The faint tendril of her worry is as the softest reminder that she cares for him deeply, that he is treasured, and, smiling gently, he informs her,

"For your sake then, kasama, I shall go."

"The doctor's name is Muraki Kazutaka and you shall find him at this address." She informs him as she pulls a small slip of paper from her Obi and passes it into his care. "I shall tell him to expect you."

"Thank you, kasama."

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T: Again please ask if you are uncertain of anything! Next chapter Friday at the latest, until then review??