Chapter 7

"What did you have in mind?" Tsuzuki asked.

"Well…The way I see it…" She leaned back against the couch. "The primary goal is to get your partner out. The only way we will be able to do that is to surprise Muraki. The main problem is that with Hisoka being an empath, he may be able to figure out that we're planning a sneak attack. That's where your shielding comes in. From there all you need to know is that if you can keep Muraki guessing, eventually he'll drop his guard, that's when we'll step in." she said.

"That's all you're going to tell me?" Tsuzuki asked, a little unsure of this plan.

"Yes, That is all I can tell you at this point. I should be able to sense when Muraki drops his guard, and that's when the plan will truly begin." Kuri said with a smile.

This is not what Tsuzuki wanted to hear. He didn't even know the plan that they were going to use, what was he suppose to do?

Kuri looked at the depressed man sitting next to her. "Tsuzuki. I'm not going to tell you everything so that encase your shields fail, we'll still be able to use the plan. Alright? I trust you, it's your shields we need to work on."

Tsuzuki stood, and turned to face her with a determined look in his eyes. "Alright. How can I improve my shields?" He wasn't sure why, but he trusted this girl. Tatsumi suggested her, so she had to know what she was doing, right?

Kuri smiled up at him and stood. "For the next three days, you will spend the majority of your time with me. I will constantly be checking your shields to make sure that you able to maintain them. Since you've been around your partner a lot, you already have rather strong shields. The only problem is that if you lose focus, they will drop. Also we must prepare for the worst…" with that last statement she turned away.

"What do you mean the worst?" Tsuzuki asked.

"How can I say this…Let's just say that Muraki does something rather explicit to Hisoka right in front of you. Would you be able to handle it?" she said looking at him.

"What…Wait are you saying…NO! There's now way I would be able to sit there and watch Muraki rape him. NO! There's no way in hell I'd let that happen." Tsuzuki shouted, while standing up.

"Calm down Tsuzuki. I'm simply stating the worst. It may happen, it may not, but you need to be prepared. I don't want that to happen, but if it does, how are you going to react. Are you going to do something impulsive and lose your partner forever? We have one shot at this Tsuzuki, that's all" she said, raising her voice a little.

Tsuzuki was stunned. He was unable to move from where he was standing looking at Kuri. Was this really his only chance? 'But what am I suppose to do, let Hisoka be raped? It may not happen, but it's a terrible thought. I can't let that happen, but if I over react and drop my shields, Muraki will know that we're planning something. Then I'd lose Hisoka forever. But…Is it worth the risk…?'

"It is Tsuzuki…" Kuri softly said. "If your partner is truly important to you, then this must be done. If you feel the way I think you do about him, please listen to me. I know what I'm talking about here, trust me. I can't stand to see two people who love each other separated, so I'm going to help you in any way I can, but your going to have to listen to me. Is he that important to you?"

"Yes, he is. He's my reason for existing, and I'd do anything to get him back. I love him with all my heart, and I can't live without him. I can't stand to be away from him, and this…" Tears fell from Tsuzuki's eyes, but he kept going. "If there's anyway to get him back I'll do it. I don't car what it is. I'd goes through the flames of hell to get him back." Tsuzuki said strongly.

"Then lets start. Come and sit down and we'll begin."

"What exactly are you going to do?" Tsuzuki asked rather curious.

"It's rather complicated, but I'll try to explain. Basically I'm going to go into your mind and access your memories of Hisoka and Muraki. From there I'll create a possible situation in your mind. It's similar to virtual reality, except you'll have to watch it. In other words, you'll have to watch Muraki rape Hisoka right in front of you, while I monitor your shields." Kuri said, a little sadly.

"What is the purpose of this exactly?" Tsuzuki did not want to ever see that, never. He had already done that, and it wasn't a nightmare he enjoyed.

"Hopefully it'll help learn to control and maintain your shields, and detach yourself from what you're seeing. It'll also condition you, so in the event that it does happen you'll be a little better mentally prepared."

"I understand, but does that mean that you'll be able to access all my memories?"

"Yes. That is the only way I'll be able to do this. If you have a problem, I could try to figure something else out, but this is all I can come up with." Kuri stated.

"Alright, let's begin." Tsuzuki said.

Kuri stood and moved so that she was sitting in front of Tsuzuki. She carefully placed her hands on both sides of Tsuzuki's head.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Yes."

'I do it for you Hisoka. For you, always for you…' he thought.

Tsuzuki could feel it, this warm sensation throughout his mind. It was calling to him, willing him to withdraw into its depths. He refused unwilling to become lost within his mind. He knew Kuri was delving deep into his mind. For a moment he felt fear, fear that she may reject him because of what he was and not help him get Hisoka back.

"Don't be and idiot."

He turned and saw Kuri standing in front of him.

"Are you ready?" she asked, as a door appeared behind her.

"Yes." he replied.

"Then open the door."

Kuri moved out of the way and let Tsuzuki approach the door. He felt slightly scared, but resolved his doubts and quickly opened the door. There was a blinding flash of light before he closed his eyes.

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"Where…What?…" Tsuzuki said, very confused. Just a moment ago he was standing in his mind now he was in a building, a certain building, the Kokakuro.

"Wasn't I just…Oh wait, Kuri." It all made sense. Kuri had told him that this would be like virtual reality, and she was right. It felt real, too real, in all honesty. He could honestly say he kept forgetting that this was all in his head.

"I told you it would be real."

Tsuzuki turned around and was faced by Kuri, who was standing in front of a door.

"That's the key too all of this. The experience is so real, you will forget that it is not. That is how I'll be able to truly test your shields." She took a step back and pointed to the door. "When you go though this door, the test begin. I will no longer be with you and you'll have to experience the whole thing."

Tsuzuki was a little uneasy. 'Do I really have to do this…' he thought.

"I've already told you that you can back out if you want. That offer still holds." Kuri said.

"No. I need to do this. You said that this was the best way you could think of, so I'll do it."

"Good luck then." was all she said before disappearing.

Tsuzuki stepped forward until he was able to reach out and put his hand on the brass doorknob. He slowly turned it and opened the door, stepping inside.

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"Do you think they're alright? They've been in there a long time." Watari said.

"They're fine. Kuri is a big girl and will be able to take care of Tsuzuki." Tatsumi stated.

"Is she really going to be able to help? I mean she's 18, how can she help us." Watari asked, still confused.

"Don't underestimate people, Watari. She's more powerful than you know." Tatsumi said vaguely.

"AND… by the way. How do you know her? She came out of nowhere and is willing to help. Not only that, she comes and hugs you and talks to you without any titles. Was she an ex-girlfriend of yours or something?" Watari asked.

Tatsumi almost chocked on the coffee he was drinking. "No, I didn't date her. I was the one sent to retrieve he soul. She had been murdered, and it was her time. She seems to get attached to people for reason that I'm not going to say, and she wanted to become a guardian after she came to Meifu. I helped her get the job…It was a rather confusing ordeal." Tatsumi said. He didn't want to say too much. The girl had had a rather difficult life and well…he didn't want to tell all of it to Watari.

"Ok…But will she be able t6o help Tsuzuki?" Watari said after a moment.

"I believe she may be the only one who can." Tatsumi said. "I just hope she can…"

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(I didn't want to include the test right now. It'll be brought up later in the story. So don't worry. :) )

Tsuzuki had seen it, all of it. He felt sick; actually the trash can next to him looked rather good. He threw himself at the can and heaved all the food that was in his stomach, considering he hadn't eaten breakfast there wasn't much. He felt a hand on his back, rubbing in small circles.

"It's alright. You did very well for you first time. Relax. It was an illusion remember."

He had heard Kuri voice but that didn't help. Her words were meant to comfort, but they only brought back images of the test.

"Tsuzuki, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for putting you through that. Please forgive me." Kuri said, starting to cry.

Tsuzuki turned and looked at her. "It's not your fault. You're only trying to help. I don't blame you. This is necessary right? If this has to be done to get Hisoka back, then I'll do it. Don't blame yourself, please." Tsuzuki said to her.

"You're willing to do this for the next three days for your partner?" Kuri asked, wiping away a few of her tears.

"Yes. I am." Tsuzuki replied.

"You love him, don't you?" She asked.

"Yes, I do. He means so much more to me than my own life. If there's anything I can do for him, to protect him, I'll do. I've already said I'd go through hell to get him back, so if I have to kill Muraki, then I will. Whatever it takes." Tsuzuki said. "I need him, Kuri."

Kuri embraced him. "I know you do. We'll keep working on your shielding, alright? We'll get him back. I promise."

Tsuzuki could only nod.

"We have three days, until the meeting. That's all we have. Are you prepared for everything that you must do. It'll be difficult, I can guarantee that. Also, I can't say for sure whether or not this will work. It's not one-hundred percent. Are you willing?" Kuri asked.

"Yes." Tsuzuki replied with determination.

"Then for the next three days, you're mine." Kuri said with a rather evil smile.

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Three days later……………………

Tatsumi heard a knock on his door. The past three days had been difficult. Kuri had been working with Tsuzuki day and night, and he wasn't quite sure what the girl was doing. The meeting was tonight, so the entire office seemed to be on edge. There was another knock.

"Come in." Tatsumi said, continuing to work on his paper work.

The door opened and Kuri walked in.

"Tatsumi I need to talk to you." she said.

Tatsumi put aside his papers and looked at her. She seemed upset. The meeting was tonight, and he didn't even know what the plan was. He was still in the dark and wasn't even sure about what she and Tsuzuki have been doing. "Yes. Have a seat. What is it Kuri?"

"It's about tonight…" she said vaguely.

"Yes. I was hoping to discuss that with you Kuri. What exactly is your plan for tonight?"

"The plan is for Tsuzuki to keep Muraki guessing until Muraki's defenses slip."

"That makes sense, but then what?"

"Then I will tell you, and we will teleport to the Kokakuro and you will get Hisoka using your shadow magic. The faster you can get him away from Muraki the better. From there you will get Tsuzuki and Hisoka out of there as quickly as possible. Watari will be waiting to take Hisoka to the infirmary." She said.

"What will you be doing? You said that we would teleport there, do you mean to fight?" Tatsumi asked a little worried. He knew that Kuri doesn't have many offensive powers, so her fighting could be a problem.

"I'm going to distract Muraki. I should be able to get into his mind and reek a little havoc. He doesn't know who I am so I'll have an advantage, in combination with the surprise attack."

"Kuri, You don't have very strong offensive powers. Are you sure you'll be alright?" Tatsumi asked. He truly was worried.

"I'll be fine. Besides the main concern is to get Hisoka back to Tsuzuki. I'd gladly put myself in danger if it meant having those tow be together again." She said with a sad smile. "Besides, haven't I told you not to underestimate me."

Tatsumi could only smile at that. She was still the same person he had met thirty years ago. The only problem with that is, like Tsuzuki, she is much too self-sacrificing.

"Well, I'm glad you have a plan, but what exactly have you been doing with Tsuzuki?"

"Oh… I've been training his shields, and that's what I wanted to speak with you about."

"Wait, what do you mean training his shields?"

"I've been projecting possible situations and monitoring how he reacts in each. Therefore he will expect the worst and be at least a little better prepared."

"How has he been doing? Is he ready for tonight?" Tatsumi asked.

"He's been working really hard at it, but it's still iffy. I'm not sure if his shields will hold. There strong, but they may fail if the situation is too much for him. That's why I'm concerned. Tatsumi, If Tsuzuki's shields fail, I need you to react. We'll have to teleport immediately and I'll have to attack Muraki."

"Alright. Does Tsuzuki know the plan?"

"No. I haven't told him." Kuri said.

"Why?" Tatsumi was confused. Wasn't Tsuzuki a main focal point in this, shouldn't he know.

"Because if his shields break and Hisoka sees into his mind, all hope will be lost. Muraki will know the plan and be able to counter. By doing this even if Tsuzuki drops his shields, the plan will be safe." Kuri said monotone.

"That makes sense, but then what's wrong? Something's bothering you, I know that. Tell me what it is." Tatsumi said moving so he was sitting in front of her.

Kuri had her face down, looking at her clenched fists. Tatsumi looked at her and noticed she was crying.

"Kuri…" with that she lunged at Tatsumi crying.

"What if it doesn't work. What if I fail them, both of them. You called me because you thought I could help. What if I can't, what if it all goes wrong. What if we lose Hisoka…" she couldn't continue and broke down sobbing into Tatsumi's chest.

Tatsumi was stunned for a moment before slowly embracing the trembling girl. 'She's so much like Tsuzuki…' he thought.

"Kuri. You don't know what's going to happen. You've done your best, now it's all up to fate. You can't put so much pressure on yourself. Besides if you start to doubt your own plan, then what's to stop Tsuzuki from doubting too." Tatsumi said.

She pulled back and looked up at Tatsumi with tear filled eyes. She sat up and wiped away the tears. "You're right, as usual…" she said, the lightness to her voice returning.

"I better go and see Tsuzuki, it's almost time for him to leave."

She got up and walked towards the door. Before she left she turned and said. "And thanks Tatsumi." Then she left.

Tatsumi stood there for a moment before returning to his desk. He couldn't focus on his paperwork anymore. He could only hope that everything will turn out alright. He could hope right…

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Tsuzuki sat in his office at his desk. He couldn't focus on his work, or anything for that matter. He could only think about tonight.

'Kuri has been working with me non-stop for the past three days…I hope it'll help. I can't believe she won't tell me the plan. But I suppose she has a point. I hope Hisoka is ok. What am I thinking of course he isn't. He's with Muraki, and I don't want to think about that bastard has done to him…Just please…let me be able to save him. Emna please… Just let me get him back. I don't know what I'll do if I don't… I…'

A knock at the door brought Tsuzuki out of his thoughts.

"Come in." he yelled to the door.

It was Kuri. She walked in and sat in front of Tsuzuki's desk.

"Are you ready for tonight?" she asked.

"Honestly… I don't know. I want to believe I am, but what if I mess up…"

"You won't. And even if you do, We're prepared and will still have a chance of getting Hisoka out. You have to be strong Tsuzuki. Hisoka needs you to be. We all need you to be. You've been doing great. Your shielding has gotten a lot better." Kuri said, trying to encourage him.

"I suppose…" Tsuzuki trailed off.

"Tsuzuki stop that." Kuri said in a stern voice. "If you don't believe in what your doing, you might as well not go. If you are this weak in front of Muraki he'll will, I can tell you that. You can't waver at all, Tsuzuki. So get those worthless thoughts out of your head and focus on tonight."

"What if Muraki wins…"

"He won't." Kuri said simply.

"How do you know? How can you say he won't? You don't know. Hisoka may be gone forever…"

"If you think that then he is." she said.

"But still how can you be so sure that we'll get him back?"

"Because, I'll do everything in my power to get him back. I can't stand to see two people who love each other separated. It's sick. If I have to endanger my life, I will. I have no problems with that. My only concern is you two. And if you can't believe that he'll come back then I might as well sign my own will, because I'll die again trying. Will you?"

Tsuzuki was shocked. This girl he barley knew was willing to die so that he could be with Hisoka. He hadn't meet anyone like that before, it confused him. He had to wonder why…

"Why…?" the question slipped out.

"Why what?" she asked.

"why are you willing to do that for us, I don't understand." Tsuzuki asked looking down at his hands.

"Because I want you to be happy, both of you. Believe me, It doesn't take long for me to get attached to someone. I just happened to get attached to you. If I care about someone, I'll do anything for them. And you're the same way, so you can't be that surprised." she replied.

"How did you…Oh yea your abilities."

"That and everyone on Meifu knows about you." she said with a smile. "But as for my question, will you?"

"I will. I'll do everything I can. No doubt, no hesitation. I can't afford to mess up right? I won't, I can't. We'll get him back, we will." Tsuzuki with as much determination as he could muster.

"That's it. Now you better get going, it's almost time. Good luck Tsuzuki." Kuri said, standing to leave. She felt a hand on her wrist and suddenly she was embraced.

"Thank you, for everything Kuri. Thank you." Tsuzuki mumbled.

Kuri sighed. "Don't thank me yet'" she said. "Once we get Hisoka back then you can." she said with a smile as Tsuzuki let her go.

"Alright. I'll see you late then." Tsuzuki said, heading for the door as well.

"Yes. I'll see you later." she replied.

With that the two of them parted, going their separate ways.

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"Has Tsuzuki left yet?" Watari asked as Kuri entered Tatsumi's office.

"Yes. He just left. I hope this works." she said a little worried.

"It will. Don't worry about it." Watari replied, trying to lessen the tension in the room.

"Watari is right Kuri. We'll do all we can and hope that it turns out." Tatsumi said.

"I suppose you're right…" Kuri said, still feeling nervous about tonight.

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'I can't believe this. It's actually time. I hope that this works. No I can't think that way. It will work. It has to. No doubt, no doubt.' Tsuzuki thought as he was being lead down a hallway to the room where he was to meet Muraki.

He was nervous, and still a little uneasy, but now wasn't the time. He was about to face Muraki's challenge, and he had to win. The consequences are too great if he lost.

The girl that was leading the way stopped. He was facing a door, very similar to the one that Kuri showed when we was training.

'Just please don't let what I saw happen. Please…'

The girl told him that the two people he was meeting were already there. Tsuzuki thanked her and she promptly left. Tsuzuki was left standing there. He tried to empty his mind, to do anything to try and prepare himself for what was about to happen. He reached out and took hold of the door handle. It seemed all too like the test. He shook that thought from his mind.

It took a moment but he finally was able to put his shields in place, along with his resolve. He slowly turned the doorknob. Just like in the test, there was a flash of light, the hallway wasn't very bright. He didn't hesitate. He quickly walked in and closed the door behind him, ready to face Muraki.

-End Chapter 7-

Another cliff-hanger I know. This is my longest chapter, and I'm updating early. Yea! The problem is that I have a lot going on right now so… I don't know when I'll be able to update again. Sorry about that, I'll try my best to update. So, bye for now. Please review!