Notes: First, there seems to be a number of people who are routing for Gushoshin to get his hat back. I just want to point out that the second section of each chapter, where THE DIRECTOR and the elegant man are watching the film takes place well after the actual filming is completed, and THE DIRECTOR has the hat. While Gushoshin may try valiantly, and probably will several more times, he will not be able to keep his hat, it would create a paradox and possibly destroy the world as we know it. At very least it would cause Tsuzuki to fall madly in love with Terazuma.

Secondly, Joe. Joe does not have a crush on Hisoka. (yet, it could happen.) I mainly brought Joe in because I like making Tsuzuki jealous. The guy with the crush on Hisoka was Ernie (named after my dog) who vanished after a short but intense difference of opinion with Tsuzuki about appropriate subjects to film, never to be seen again. No one knows where he went, except perhaps Tsuzuki, and he's not telling.

Finally, while I truly enjoy writing this fic, my muse of good ideas ran off and did not leave me a forwarding address. So I am turning to you, dearest readers, if you have any ideas, or anything you would like to see happen in this fic, please let me know. While I probably won't use every suggestion, they will all be appreciated, after all, I am writing this without a clue.

So without further ado,

Chapter 9

Tatsumi had been in his office since early morning, working diligently to salvage the reports that had been trapped in concrete the previous day, especially since he would be waiting several lifetimes if he had to wait for Tsuzuki to recreate his reports.

He looked up at the blonde haired youth who had been helping him for the last several hours, methodically using a chisel to chip concrete away from the reports, careful not to damage the paper.

Damned potions.

"Watari-san."

The somewhat youthened scientist looked up and regarded him with cheerful amber eyes. "Aa, Tatsumi?"

"Why don't you go get some lunch? We've been at this for a long time."

Those amber eyes grew wide and shiny. "Does that mean you've forgiven me?" Watari asked, clasping his hands together in expectation.

"Hardly. You ruined my favourite suit."

"How can it be your favourite? All your suits look the same!"

"I got it on sale."

"Well then you should be happy that I didn't ruin one of the more expensive ones."

Tatsumi sighed in exasperation "I don't feel like arguing with a teenager. Why did you make that potion anyways?"

Watari shrugged. "I made it before, I just wanted to see if I could recreate it."

"Didn't you turn yourself and Tsuzuki into children last time?"

"Yup. This time I took a smaller amount."

"Why?"

Watari shrugged again. "I had to make sure it worked! And I thought that Bonmight like the company,besides,this way my clothes still fit." Just to prove his words, his habitual lab coat chose that moment to fall off of his diminished frame. "Well, almost fit." He amended.

Tatsumi gave him a long suffering look. "Go get some lunch."

Watari saluted with a genki grin. "Aye, aye sir." And exited the office.

Tatsumi shook his head. Why were his coworkers all insane? He got up from his desk and picked up his watering can. A serene smile formed on his lips as he began to water his plants. His potted plants made him feel content, but not as much as his potted Gushoshin. Buried up to his shoulders in the rich earth, Gushoshin's bright red hat nicely complemented the brick red of the planter.

(Meanwhile)

"Tsuzuki no baka! Get off of me!"

Hisoka made a vain effort to shake off his partner who had spent the entire morning following and clinging to him.

"But Hiiiisssssssoka, THE DIRECTOR's out to get you and I want to make sure you're alright!"

Hisoka gave another shake but failed to dislodge the violet eyed man who seemed to think that Hisoka was vulnerable to the schemes of the evil short squat bald man with no hair unless being actively held.

Needless to say the empath heartily disagreed, as Tsuzuki had not let go once in several hours. "Tsuzuki…" he growled threateningly.

Tsuzuki responded to the menace in his voice by going completely inu. Ears and tail drooping, he squeezed the object of his affection tighter. "But Hiiiiiisssssssooookkkaaaa!"

"Sit boy!"

Tsuzuki tilted his head (adorably) to the side and looked confused.

Hisoka slapped himself in the forehead. "Oh crap, wrong anime!"

Tsuzuki resumed his clinging, and Hisoka, in a desperate, last ditch attempt to gain his freedom, at least long enough to use the bathroom, dug through his pockets and conveniently discovered a lone blueberry pastry. The inu's eyes widened and sparkled as he spotted the treat.

With a hard flick of his wrist, Hisoka sent the pastry flying down the hallway and Tsuzuki eagerly chased after it.

The moment he was free from his partner's rather annoying after three consecutive hours embrace, Hisoka took off in the opposite direction.

(In another office across the building)

Kanoe sat in his office and lowered his head to his desk. So far he had successfully managed to stay completely out of the nuttiness that had infected the offices and employees of Enma-cho since the training film had begun. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that the author had no intention of dragging him into the story, yet.

(Back where we began)

Tatsumi had finished watering his plants and his planted chicken and was settling himself back at his desk when there was a knock at his door.

"Come in."

The door opened and Tatsumi fought the urge to shield his eyes from the glare of the lights reflected off THE DIRECTOR's bald head.

"Ah, Mr Tatsumi, have you by any chance seen…" THE DIRECTOR trailed off as he noticed the potted Gushoshin. "Oh! There it is!" He strode into office and picked up the bright red cap, unheeding of the helpless spluttering coming from the planter. "Thank you Mr. Tatsumi." And without waiting for a response, he turned and left the office, closing the door behind him.

Tatsumi stood nonpulsed for a moment, then, noticing the impotent fury of the not floating at the moment chicken, went over to his desk and locked one of the drawers.

"I'm keeping the bandana."

XXX

The scene opened on a lone figure sitting alone at a round table. His chin was propped on his hand as he munched on a pastry. Dark chocolate hair fell across violet eyes that stared off into space.

A soft cough sounded from behind the camera.

Violet eyes turned towards the camera looking slightly surprised. "Oh! Hi."

"Hi." Came a voice from off camera. "Do you mind?" The scene shifted briefly.

"I guess not." Tsuzuki finished the last bite of the pastry and looked up at the camera. "Does this mean you guys aren't going to chase me around anymore?"

There was a snort from off camera. "Joe said we had to be nice."

"Who's Joe?" Tsuzuki asked.

"Joe's the new guy, haven't you met him yet?

"No."

"Hey Bob" The voice off camera called out, sounding a little farther away. "Have you seen Joe?"

"Yeah." Called back another voice sounding even more distant. "He went to see if the kid wanted to go out for lunch with him again."

"Kid? Lunch? Again?" Tsuzuki sputtered, he advanced quickly, passing the camera which turned to follow him out of the break room and down the hall.

"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki called out when he reached their office, looking slightly miffed when he received no answer.

"Hey, is that him?" The voice from off camera asked as the scene shifted to show two young blondes walking away down the hall. About the same height, arms linked. The long haired sunny blonde appeared to be dragging the lighter blonde along.

Tsuzuki looked down the hallway. "Yeah, that's him, but who's that with him? Is that Joe?"

"Nope. Don't know who the other kid is."

The camera fell behind as Tsuzuki jogged down the hall and tapped the long haired blonde on the back.

Both boys turned around and Tsuzuki fell back in surprise. "Watari?"

Watari grinned up at him, holding one of Hisoka's arms through his own. "Hey Tsuzuki! I never realized how tall you are! I can see up your nose!"

Hisoka scowled feeling the surprise from his partner. "Okay, so he didn't put you up to this." he said to the genki, now teenage scientist. "So why are you dragging me down to the lab?"

Watari grinned at him. "It's a surprise."

Hisoka rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You know, all I really wanted was a little time to myself today, is that so much to ask?"

"Aw Soka!" Tsuzuki threw his arms around him. "It's just because we love you so much."

"Baka!" Hisoka snapped out, but his eyes had softened.

"Awww! What a sweet moment!" Watari threw his arms around the pair of them. "Group hug!"

"Group hug!" Cried two familiar feminine voices.

Hisoka perked up at the sound like a deer scenting danger. "Let me go!" He yelled as he struggled to remove himself from the two affectionate sets of arms that were wrapped around him.

Too late.

Two more warm bodies landed on the heap as Saya and Yuma enthusiastically joined in the hug.

"Hisoka-kun!"

"Soka-chan!"

"We love you!" The pair sang out in tandem.

Hisoka's thoughts began to swinging between murder and suicide.

Tsuzuki noticed that his partner was not in a happy position and immediately dragged him out from under all the enthusiastic glomping.

"Soka-chan is mine!" He sang out happily as he pulled the not happy youth into a protective embrace.

For a moment Hisoka considered turning his partner into a pile of mashed potatoes, but Tsuzuki had gotten him out of the pile where he was being crushed, both physically and emotionally, so he let it pass. Turning in his partners' embrace he looked up at the man. "I'm going to go out and get a bit to eat with Joe."

Tsuzuki's eyes turned serious. "Who's Joe?"

Hisoka shrugged. "Just a guy. I told him I'd show him that restaurant where we got the really good raymun."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Nah." Sensing his partner's need for reassurance, Hisoka gave him a quick kiss, oblivious of his audience. "I'll see you later."

Tsuzuki looked surprised, but the smile that warmed his face was dazzling.

Hisoka pulled away and headed off down the hallway.

"Aaaaawwwwwww!" Chorused three voices from the floor.