Thank you all so much for your support. If this keeps up I'll be able to keep up with this pace of updating . . . well, if school allows. I want to thank all of you who review personally so if you leave an email address I'll drop you a line thanking you personally. If you don't I'll thank you here and now and continue throughout my fic. Now, on with the story

"Soka-chan, you did so well with Toko-chan. You looked just like her older brother. It was soo sweet." Tsuzuki continued to ramble as he leaned closer to Hisoka's shoulder while the boy sat in the corner of the couch with a book. "You two were too cute for words. It just made my heart sing." Hisoka rolled his eyes and turned the page in his book.

"Idiot." The page turning allowed him only that comment. It was a particularly interesting chapter and he wasn't about to let Tsuzuki take him away from his enjoyment. Tsuzuki, however, had other ideas and he leaned on Hisoka's shoulder to see what he was reading.

"What'cha reading, Soka-chan? It has to be really good for you to ignore me." Hisoka refrained from answering that. It was too easy. He simply shrugged the man off of his shoulder and continued reading. Even then he gave a silent thank you to him for keeping his shields up. "Come on, Soka-chan. Don't ignore me like this. I was just wondering what you are reading."

"Don't call me that, idiot." He said as he turned the page again. Had he been paying attention to the man sitting next to him he would have seen the man begin to pout like a little child. It would have warned him about what was to happen. The book was suddenly pulled out from his grasp and brought in front of Tsuzuki's face. "Give that back." The empath's voice was emotionless, cold, and held all of the unspoken threats he could think up. Tsuzuki simply used his finger to hold his place and began reading the summary on the back. "Tsuzuki. Give me back my book."

"I wanna read this." Tsuzuki said as he handed the book back. "Would you read it to me, Soka-chan?" As Hisoka took the book back again Tsuzuki held onto one end preventing him from absorbing his self into it again. "I want you to read it to me."

"Idiot. Just get your own copy and read it yourself." He tugged harder in a futile effort to reclaim his book. Tsuzuki was much stronger and he knew that, but if he pulled hard enough Tsuzuki would give up. "Tsuzuki." That's what usually happened.

"I want you to read it to me. I'm not very good at staying focused when I'm reading. If you read it to me my attention won't wander." Hisoka's eyes shot up to the man's face. He was caught off guard to see the completely serious look on his face. Tsuzuki must have caught the disbelief because he decided to explain himself. "If you're reading it my mind won't be able to wander." Hisoka's face became bright red and he looked down at the floor.

"I-idiot!" He tugged at the book again, but it still didn't budge. After a few seconds he finally gave up. He stood up suddenly, letting go of the book and moved to the bedroom door. Once the door was closed Tsuzuki slumped with a sigh. He picked up Hisoka's bookmark, put it in place then set the book on the end table.

"Why don't I learn when to close my mouth?" He closed his eyes and his hands clenched. "Idiot. I really am an idiot." While he was berating himself Hisoka was leaning against the bedroom door trying to regain control of his blushing face.

"Why? Why does he say things like that?" He shook his head in order to get Tsuzuki's face out of his mind. It was unnerving to see Tsuzuki looking like that. Tsuzuki's shields had slipped and Hisoka had been forced to feel his sincerity as he spoke. He shook his head again. "It couldn't be that. Tsuzuki was just being Tsuzuki. He'd have done the same thing with anyone." He tried to explain away the image when he heard a slight rustling coming from the bed.

"Nii-san? Is that you?" Motoko rubbed her eyes and sat up on the bed. Hisoka silently cursed his self since he had woken her. Even in the dimly lit room he could see her smile. "You didn't wake me up. 'm not tired any more." She put her hands in her lap after pushing some of her hair behind her ears. "You really aren't angry with me." He shook his head even though she hadn't asked a question. "Nii-san . . . after what happened . . . you know I didn't mean for this to happen, but I know everything." Her eyes darted down to the bed. He looked up at her.

"What do you mean?" He pushed off the door he was leaning on and walked over to the bed. There was an air of caution and uneasiness in his voice. Not even Tsuzuki knew about everything that had happened to him. Having someone he had just met know the details of his miserable life, that wasn't something he was prepared for.

"When I got sucked into your mind something connected. I ended up getting your complete life story including details that you probably don't even remember." Her hands fisted in the sheets. "I know that it's not fair 'cause you didn't get past Tatsumi-san's barrier." He froze where he stood. His mind wasn't prepared for this. Not at all. Motoko looked up at him with sad eyes begging for forgiveness. "I'd let you in, but . . . I'm sorry Nii-san." The door came open and Tsuzuki poked his head in.

"Oh, good. You're awake. I thought we could catch dinner before we get ready for bed." His usual smile was on his face, but it faltered when he saw Hisoka. "Hisoka? Everything all right?" Tears came back into Motoko's eyes and she looked up at the two of them.

"I'm really sorry, Nii-san. I know that can't make up for what's happened, but . . ." She trailed off as the tears broke free. "I swear that I won't tell anyone and I'll stay out of your head from now on. Just don't be mad at me." Tsuzuki looked at Hisoka to try for an answer. The empathy was staring wide-eyed at the girl on the bed. His legs gave out and Tsuzuki caught him before he hit the floor.

"Hisoka! Toko-chan!" This was really confusing. He didn't know what was going on so he had no idea how to make things better for either of them. This position was not one he ever wanted to be in again. "What happened?" Hisoka snapped out of his trance and pushed violently out of the older man's arms. "His-" Before he could even finish Hisoka teleported and was gone.

"It's all my fault, Tsuzuki-nii. He probably hates me now and you should to." Motoko hiccupped and clenched the bed sheets even tighter. Tsuzuki looked down at her confusion and concern written all over her face. "When I got sucked into his mind I got a full report of his life repressed memories and all. He hates me because there are things he didn't want anyone to know." She sniffed and more tears fell down her face. "You should go talk to him. I'll stay here and wait." Tsuzuki stared for a second.

"He doesn't hate you, Toko-chan." He set a hand on her head. She looked up with tears still streaming down her face. "Hisoka is a very private person and . . . I know he doesn't blame you for what happened. Running away like that is how he deals with things he can't deal with." He gave her a soft smile. "Let me call Tatsumi and see if he won't stay here with you while I go find Hisoka." The girl's gaze fell back down to the bed and he removed his hand.

The phone call was short and in a few seconds both Tatsumi and Watari were standing in front of the door. "Don't you worry 'bout a thing, Tsuzuki." Watari said with his usual cheer. "Tatsumi and I'll hold down the fort while you go searching for Bon." He gave them both a grateful smile. Tatsumi pushed his glasses further up on his nose.

"Call us when you find him." The statement gave away the worry that they both felt. Tsuzuki, who spoke fluent Tatsumi when he tried, translated it as 'call us so we won't continue worrying about him'. He gave them a quick nod before dashing out of the room.

Short I know, but it was too perfect a place not to cut off. I'll get the next chapter out soon. Ja e.