The sun rose high in the sky before three people realized it was actually there. Nagare was the first to notice, Tsuzuki, and Hisoka didn't realize it until an hour after Tsuzuki (which was an hour and a half after Nagare).

Nagare's POV,

I noticed I actually got to sleep. I suppose Yatonokami didn't follow me here. This is great of course. I wonder if Hisoka will show up today? Maybe that Kuri-whatever destroyed him...I hope it was painless. He's been through so much........I sighed, I didn't need to think about such depressing things.

There was still a chance he would come back sometime. I did train him myself, after all. He wouldn't let his teachings go to waste! He would be considered a disgrace to the family, Hisoka would never let that happen. He would die befor-...

...That's the problem though. He would. He did. He lasted 3 years, who could ever...? Hisoka may be a frail young boy, but, he was also strong in a way...The Father in me hoped he was alright.

I entered the dining room and sat myself at the table. I didn't see Mr. Tsuzuki, suppose he's still asleep. With the time we went to bed last night, or this morning, either way. I'm surprised I'm awake.

Tsuzuki's POV,

Ah, a nice night's (morning) rest. I wish. I was so worried about Hisoka that I barely slept. I even thought I heard his footsteps...But, then I regained my senses and figured it could be anyone.

Hisoka's footsteps though, they were sneaky, like a ninja. He stepped lightly, whether it was because he was trained that way or he was being considerate and trying not to be noisy. I didn't know which. Maybe it was both? I sighed as I entered the kitchen and saw Nagare sitting there, eating toast...That was an odd scene. It didn't suit him, simple toast~! Poor toast, it wasn't the toast's fault for being unrefined.

I sat down and starting munching on the toast that was in the middle of the table. I asked for some pancakes and some coffee for me. I asked Nagare what he wanted, but he said he didn't have much of an appetite this morning. I asked when he got up and he told me it was about 30 minutes ago and he had only eaten 2 or 3 slices of toast, how could he eat so slow?

Hisoka's POV,

I woke up to the sun beaming in and smiled softly. A nice night's rest! I wish I didn't have to go listen to Tsuzuki now. Ugh, his emotions were going to destroy this nice morning, but, I was hungry so, I had to...

I got up and walked to the kitchen, pausing at the doors. I was nervous, and very hungry. I've said that a lot, haven't I? Oh, Enma! I sound like Tsuzuki!! I sighed heavily and proceeded to open the door, I cracked it open and poked my head in, hoping Tsuzuki wasn't even in there. He was.

Who was he sitting with? He looked familiar...Like...I gasped, I must have done it really loud or made some other noise I wasn't aware of, because they looked over at me.

"Hisoka!" Tsuzuki jumped out of his seat and ran over to me, then he...Embraced me.

"Tsu...Zuki?" I blushed slightly.

"Hisoka! I was so worried about you! Oh!" He gasped and immediately released me.

"Are you injured? Do you hurt anywhere? Or....?" He was feeling a big mix of emotions. Worry, fear, anxious, anger, fury....It startled me a bit, how was I supposed to react? Oh, I just won't.

"What...? No...Why would I?" I could feel the nervous-ness build up.

"Didn't you go to see Kurikara...?" Slight confusion was added into the mix.

"No..." I said nervously.

"Then where the hell were you!!?" Tsuzuki shouted.

"I was taking a walk when I got lost..."

"For three days?" He asked incredulously.

"Um...Yeah. Sorry if I worried you...?" I felt the guilt wash over me. Whether it was from the lie or the thought of worrying him, I wasn't sure.

Tsuzuki sighed. "I thought...Just don't....Hisoka...Don't do that again, alright?" He smiled. It was a sad, yet, relieved smile.

I nodded shyly. He was being...affectionate again. He says the most awkward things sometimes.

I remembered that we weren't alone in this room. Was it really...? No...It can't be...

"Um...Tsuzuki? About that man...?" I said quietly, hoping he wouldn't hear me.

"Hm? Oh, a wormhole brought him here. He says he's your Father." Tsuzuki had a feeling of un-sure-ness.

"Y-yeah..." I looked down at my feet.

Tsuzuki grabbed my arm and dragged me over to the table.

"You must be starving, huh, Hisoka?" Tsuzuki was using one of his masks again, showing a happy front and smiling happily. It was just a mask. I've come to accept that he does that sometimes, but, it still worries me...It makes me think of the 'Kyoto Incident' and I don't like remembering that...Anyway...

I couldn't look at that man in the face and so, kept my gaze downward. As we neared the table, I could feel the tension and my...Father's...emotions. There were so many, it was hard to distinguish one from the other easily. I was getting a headache.

"Hisoka?"

"Huh?" I snapped my head up to see Tsuzuki staring at me.

"I asked what you wanted to eat...?"

"Oh...Bacon, eggs and toast. Some coffee too." I told him nonchalantly. I looked at my Father's face, finally. I haven't seen him for...Two years now? He hadn't changed much. He still looked younger than he actually was. He should be almost forty by now, yet, he looked around his 30's or even late 20's.

What should I do? Should I ignore him and sit down? Should I bow to him, as it is the proper thing to do? Should I just acknowledge him, but not seem to care? I need help...Why couldn't there be some sign.

I could feel him becoming awkward as well.

"I didn't think you'd ever acquire a taste for coffee." He finally said. Was this an attempt at small talk or was he sincere? His emotions were too jumbled around to tell clearly.

"It's not so much the taste that I enjoy, rather, the fact that it keeps me awake. I do prefer tea to pretty much, anything else." I tried to use an emotionless tone. I think I did alright.

"I see. That's sounds like you. So, you haven't changed, have you?" He sipped at whatever he was drinking.

It almost sounded like an insult. I could feel my blood heat up.

"Here you go, Hisoka!" Tsuzuki said cheerfully as he put the plate on the table. Oblivious to the feeling in the air.

"Ah, thank you." I sat down, across from my Father and next to Tsuzuki, and took a sip of the coffee. I proceeded to put the eggs and bacon between two slices of toast. It was something I realized was actually quite good when I had to hurry to work one morning. It was quick and easy to eat. It was a matter of convenience.

Father seemed to think it was weird, Tsuzuki was used to my little concoction and didn't pay it any mind. I think Father wanted to ask me about it, however, it seemed like he couldn't put it into words. I bit back a smile, my Father was speechless for the first time, in front of me at least.

I was slouching in my seat as I ate and my Father decided to act like the strict Father I know him to be.

"Sit up straight." He said in a...Small voice. I tried not to smile again.

I didn't say anything but, had to bite back the submissive reply. I sat up a little straighter. I guess it was good enough for him. It was so awkward and the tension in the air was like the lingering air of death, even Tsuzuki felt it.

"Um...So, Mr. Kurosaki...As Hisoka's Father, you must have some funny or embarrassing stories to tell, right?" He had a joking tone.

"Tsuzuki!" I shot him a look, it wasn't really appropriate to say that! Especially in front of me.

Father acted as if he didn't hear that. There weren't many...Uplifting...Stories to tell.

"There's gotta be something!" Tsuzuki pressed.

"Tsuzuki..." I sighed. "There's really not-"

"Well," Father started...What was he thinking of? I never did anything embarrassing! ....Right?

"There was that time when he was about six..." Father considered.

"What is it?" Tsuzuki asked, a small smile on his face.

I looked nervously at my Father, what could have happened? I don't remember much about my early childhood...!

"We were doing some martial arts training and he slipped, and fell into a pond that was nearby." Tsuzuki chuckled and I blushed, I didn't remember that...

"Also," He continued?! "There was a cat-fish living in that pond and it bit him." He was talking as if it was no big deal. It was one thing to tell embarrassing stories (something I thought I would never witness my Father doing...), But to tell these and I can't even remember!

I remember that catfish though.

"Stupid fish...I still have a scar from it, too." I muttered.

"Aw, poor Hisoka!" Tsuzuki exclaimed. "Can I see it?" He asked me.

"See what?" I looked up at him.

"The scar."

"No."

"Awww! But, Hisoka! I wanna see a catfish bite mark scar!"

'Bite mark'? He makes it sound like the fish wanted to give me a hicky.

"No." I turned away from him and took a gulp of coffee.

"But, Hisoka!"

"I said no!" I said loudly, Tsuzuki realized 'No meant no' and leaned back into his chair with a small sigh. He was slightly disappointed and he was...Hurt? Did I say it too loudly and heartlessly?

"Tsuzuki...I apologize for raising my voice." I said softly.

He smiled sweetly. "It's alright. You are just a kid, sometimes it's good to just let it out. Y'know?"

That was it. I wasn't a kid, but, that's all I was in the eyes of Tsuzuki. And probably everyone else. I was just some kid. I couldn't take it any longer!

"That's it, huh? I'm just a kid! I'm just a child to you! I'm not going to grow up any more, but, I wish you'd recognize that I am maturing mentally! I am 18 years old now! I'm not a child!!" I shouted and ran from the room.

"Hisoka!" I barely heard Tsuzuki call my name, he didn't follow after me though.

I needed to get away. Away from everything! I was getting me another Shiki and then heading back to Kurikara's place. I don't care if Tsuzuki starts getting worried. And I certainly don't care if my Father-

My Father. He saw me. I just exploded like that in front of him. Of all people! How Embarrassing...!

But, I'm acting like a child, aren't I...? I sighed and proceeded to the forest. Whether I went to see Kurikara or not, I do need another Shiki...

Back with Tsu!,

Nagare had held him back.

"Let me go!"

"He needs to be alone right now." Nagare said calmly.

"No! What would you know anyway?!" Tsuzuki was close to yelling.

"I am his Father."

"Who hasn't been around since Hisoka's change of attitude!"

"That may be correct, but-"

"No! He needs comfort!"

"He doesn't need to be treated like a child!"

"But...He is a child."

"He doesn't think so. And he certainly doesn't want to be treated like one."

"So, I should treat him like an adult...I don't know how to do that!" Tsuzuki whimpered.

"I'll teach you." Nagare said suddenly.