Kage: Another chapter down, few more to go. That is if I don't decide to continue this or do some sort of sequel. Oh well, it will depend later on. Yay all who view and review this fic! Here's my shout-outs this time around:

IchikoKitsuneKoumori: Your welcome and thank you for the review!

Laustic: Hopefully they'll be more scenes with those two coming up, and I agree.

NaTsUkO-ChAn: I'm glad, and I'm sorry if I confused you along the way. Things should smooth out from now on. I won't say if he'll appear again or not, but I don't like him either and would rather not have him in my stories but his appearance can help at times. Thank you and I shall!

Cheetah192119: hugs You're welcome and thank you so much, your very sweet!

Warning: none……………

10 Years to Remember

Chapter 9:

Their trip to Gensoukai ended quite pleasantly, leaving Tsuzuki's hopes high. What Rikugo had told him, made his partners situation look more like a normal phase than some huge problem that if not attended to, could end up killing someone. Although the reversions still scared the man, he'd just let them play out like Watari had said. It was only temporally after all, and caused by a potion. None the less, it was harmless.

After returning back to Meifu, Tsuzuki had asked the blonde how his stay was and what had happened while he was with Sohryu. At times Hisoka tried to curve the conversation to his advantage but from the brunet's actions, their conversation only amused Tsuzuki. In the end, the child left his questions alone and just let the rest of the evening be peaceful.

It was rare, after all, that the two had no cases, no work and were able to spend the day enjoying themselves and even visiting their shikigami. As for the rest of the night, it went smoothly with Tsuzuki and Hisoka going out to dinner, coming back to the apartment and just relaxing. Again they both slept in the bed, but not because of exhaustion or reversions. They did it because they wanted to.

They trusted each other enough and had no problem being around one another, so laying down to sleep wasn't such a problem. Not after everything they've been through, including the potion slip up. If anything, this problem helped seal the cut from Kyoto the rest of the way and allow both of them to be able to hold each other in open arms without feeling out of place, at least where no one could see them.

There was no avoiding the fact that there was still doubts in each of them towards everything, but at times like these, when all is calm, nothing else seemed to matter. Even with a few doubts and worries, they'd eventually slide by just like how within 30 minutes, the blonde was once again cuddling into his partners chest.

The next morning, the violet eyed man was first to wake up and stare down at his sleeping partner who was still nestled up tightly into his chest. Stroking the blonde hairs from his eyes, he watched the child sleep. With his mouth slightly parted breathing lightly and curled up, Hisoka really did resemble the six year old he appeared as.

Even though he was cute like this, Tsuzuki couldn't help but wish he'd return to normal soon. He missed the teen's thin slightly muscular body, his charming voice, and piercing emerald eyes. What he had now was a cute little child with a young voice and adorable green eyes. Cuteness wasn't everything, just like sweets and the brunet was learning this quickly. All he wanted was his Hisoka back, the one he first met.

Smiling down at the youth, old memories flooded his brain. Ones he'd cherished for the rest of eternity. Like the first day he saw Hisoka, even though a gun was pointed straight at his chest (even if it was fake). Now that he thinks about that time, it was amusing. Something to laugh back at and sure enough, in his mind he was laughing alright. That whole first case they were on sprouted the best partnership he'd ever experienced.

It had to of, since he still worked with the boy to date. Hijiri's case came into mind next. He chuckled at that one, it should have been the blonde who shouted 'I love you' at him than the young brunet. That didn't matter anymore though, no matter how long it would take for him to hear those words from Hisoka's mouth, he'd wait. Although Kyoto might as well been just it. Slightly shaking his head, he didn't want to think about that.

No, he wanted to think about all the good times. The laughs, smiles, hugs and event he occasional smacks were what Tsuzuki loved. Who knows how long the older shinigami laid thinking back and playing with the child's hair, but soft moans brought his mind back to reality. He stopped toying with the blonde strains as green eyes slowly fluttered open to gaze into violet.

"Good morning 'Soka-chan." He smiled, sitting up as the boy blushed and retreated from his sleeping position. "Guess I should be getting something ready for breakfast, we do have work today after all." He smirked getting up.

"Why didn't you get up earlier, you've been awake for over half an hour."

"I didn't want to get up yet. Did I wake you?" Tsuzuki stared at the child's back, frowning when he didn't get a response. He hoped he didn't make Hisoka angry, sighing to himself he exited the bedroom.

A few minutes later, Hisoka followed out as well but was dressed in clothes for the day. Not once did he look at Tsuzuki as he sat down at the table, still blushing. Tsuzuki hadn't woken him up, but instead kept him asleep. He trapped the empath in a dream of loving memories, something that took even him to force himself to break away from. Judging from the brunet's emotions now, those caring thoughts and ideas had to have come from him.

"Thank you for the dreams." The blonde whispered as a cup of tea was placed in front of him. Tsuzuki smiled, just being able to make out what he had said. And I meant them too. He thought.

After their strange but caring morning, both shinigami headed back to the office which they'd abandoned yesterday. Neither thought since they'd been off more almost a week that they'd have to much work to worry about. So even Hisoka didn't regret their little field trip, but what he found on his desk shocked him.

If they were off from cases, why was a light brown mission folder spread on his desk. Were they back up and running, even though the former teen was still child size. This perplexed Tsuzuki and even disturbed him to think his co-workers and boss would actually send the pair on a case in their current state. Honestly, he wanted to take this case, for Hisoka's sake if anything but it was also for Hisoka's sake that he didn't.

As the emerald eyed shinigami began to flip through what they seemed to be up against, the latter one turned around and headed out.

"Where're you going?" Hisoka asked slightly annoyed. "If they're sending us out, then just drop it. We're both ready and you know it. Our trip yesterday should've confirmed you of that."

Tsuzuki didn't have to turn around to know the glare plastering his back. The empath's words struck him, did he find out about his and Rikugo's little meeting or was it just from gathering all of the man's thoughts and piecing them together.

"I'm uh, just going to eh, talk to Tatsumi about something is all." He fumbled over his words before rushing out the door.

He wasn't lying to Hisoka; he really did have something he wanted to talk about with the secretary. Whether or not the youth bought the attempted lie and stayed put was beyond him, but for the time. The man on the other side of the door he now stood at was where his attention belonged. Straightening is composure; he turned the handle, and made his way over to the secretary's desk.

"Tatsuuumiii! Why do we have a mission?" Immediately composure lost as Tsuzuki popped onto the desk with puppy ears and tails and began to pout. "You promised, you promised! No you said we wouldn't have to until 'Soka-chan was all better!"

"What are you babbling about Tsuzuki?" Watari walked in just in time to see a puppy Tsuzuki lunge at his leg and complain.

"Me and 'Soka-chan have a case and Tatsumi said we wouldn't have to until 'Soka was back to normal! He's taking back our vacation!" He whined.

"Technically it's not a vacation." He older blonde smiled. "And I'm sure there's a misunderstanding."

"There is. On your part Watari-san." Tatsumi voice cut in. Both looked at him. "Watari, when I asked you to place a pacific folder on a pacific desk, were you rushing by chance?"

"Hm...now that you mention it..."The blonde clasped his hands together. "Yes! I remember now! I wanted to ask Tsuzuki something before he left with Bon earlier, but then you gave me a little chore, so I ran in and out just like I was told!" The scientist exclaimed happily, not realizing his mistake yet.

"Did it ever occur to you that you might have given the folder to Kurosaki-kun's disposal and not Tsuzuki's." Tatsumi arched his eyebrow as the man in front of him flinched. "Well?"

"Um...now it does." A sweat dropped appeared as the words sunk in for him, but not for Tsuzuki.

"So...? I have a mission, but my partner doesn't? We work in pairs, that doesn't make since and Hisoka's body isn't ready for field work yet." As the violet eyed man finished his statement, another presence had just arrived at the secretary's door, but decided not to make their existence known yet as the three men talked.

"Yes I know that, everyone in this room can probably agree that Kurosaki-kun should not be put into the field just yet. I still believe he'd perform to his up most ability's, but Watari did explain to me how his size would effect what he exerts. Therefore it could become a hazard. If that folder would have gotten to the person it should have." Tatsumi took a second to glared at Watari before continuing." Then you would understand the situation a little more Tsuzuki."

"Why, what's going on? You're not replacing Hisoka are you?"

"We're not really replacing Bon, just filling in his position while he's out of action. I'll be accompanying you on this case." Tsuzuki turned to his boss questioningly.

"Don't worry, you'll be out there and back before Kurosaki-kun even knows your gone. It's a very basic case." The fourth presence was now gone. "The only thing is, the antics involved match up and are quite familiar with what someone we've encountered before has done." Blue eyes close thinking a moment. "Tsuzuki...I know this may be hard to believe, but we believe Muraki is still alive."

"Then what Hisoka saw..." The man spoke hastily while clutching his fists. Both Watari and Tatsumi questioned him, almost in unison. "Yesterday...we were at a diner and he just ran off. This morning he finally told me why he ran off..."He paused. "He thought he saw Muraki, and I don't doubt it now..."

"Is that why you dragged him to Gensoukai this morning? To get Bon's and your mind off of it?" The fuda user looked at him slightly puzzled but answered.

"Mostly for Hisoka to be able to relax and be appreciated and loved for his size. The shikigami helped me with that part of my mission."

"What's the other part?" Tatsumi asked.

"I wanted to warn my shiki of Muraki's presence and also try and find a link, cure or anything really dealing with these reversions...something just bothers me about them." Watari placed a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder.

"Don't worry. Like I said, it's just temporally and these effects will wear off. Even though I don't have a direct cure I'll keep at it day and night to try and solve this one, ok?"

Tsuzuki smiled, having a little hope restored back into him. "Thanks Watari."

"Buuuut, since you and Bon both consumed my only samples of the potion and your portion has already ran through your body, I do need some from Bon." The man could only stare confused at the blonde. "I'll need a sample from the next time he uses the bathroom."

"Watari!" A full bloom blushed made it's way across the brunet's face, as the secretary proceeded in ignoring the two as he worked on a few papers. He'd bring his employees back from their little 'chat' when he felt necessary to remind them of the case at hand.

He knew right away that his older partner wanted to talk to Tatsumi about the case they'd just been given. Either way, no matter what the man said, he'd press further. If the folder had been left on his desk, it meant there was no exceptions and just to get the work done. Shrugging off Tsuzuki's behavior as he ran down the hallway, Hisoka opened the folder and began to skim through its contents.

It seemed routine enough. Two people have died but their souls seem to have disappeared, not only that but neither victims were suppose to die at least until they hit their 40s. They were still teens, both girls, blonde hair, one with blue eyes, other with green. Plus their cause of death was unknown. Their job, get the souls, find out the reason for death and who did it.

The first job listed didn't bother the youth, but it was odd for a shinigami to do such a thorough investigation unless more was known about the case before hand that would cause for such measures. Flipping a few more pages, one near the back caught his attention. It was hand written.

Be expecting to have Watari with you on this one.

Come to my office as soon as you get this. There's more to this case than I want to mention or that the Gushoshin brothers found. It's in your best priorities that you see me before seeing out this case.

Tatsumi

Closing the folder but keeping the little note out, Hisoka exited the office he shared and followed the same path to the secretary's office as his partner had a few minutes ago. It slightly bewildered him why he'd write such a thing. All that would normally be spoken to them in a briefing, but this seemed rather secretive. As for Watari helping, when doesn't he?

The empath shook his thoughts from his head as a wild rush of emotions suddenly clouded his mind. All were recognizable to the youth as his friends, he sighed putting up a stronger barrier. No one was blocking right now, or so it seemed. The door to Tatsumi's office was slightly ajar, so he padded his way up to it. The voices inside caused him not to push it open though.

"So...? I have a mission, but my partner doesn't? We work in pairs, that doesn't make since and Hisoka's body isn't ready for field work yet." That's Tsuzuki...what is he talking about? Hisoka though, but listened further.

"Yes I know that, everyone in this room can probably agree that Kurosaki-kun should not be put into the field just yet. I still believe he'd perform to his up most abilities, but Watari did explain to me how his size would effect what he exerts. Therefore it could become a hazard. If that folder would have gotten to the person it should have."

There was a pause, but the child could barely breathe." Then you would understand the situation a little more Tsuzuki."

"Why, what's going on? You're not replacing Hisoka are you?" He stopped, eyes wide.

"We're not really replacing Bon, just filling in his position while he's out of action. I'll be occomping you on this case." His head fell limp.

"Don't worry, you'll be out there and back before Kurosaki-kun even knows you're gone. It's a very basic case." He couldn't hear anymore of this!

Closing his eyes tight, Hisoka stormed back in the direction he came. Dropping the note, but holding onto the folder. He didn't know how long he ran, or how far his little feet would take him but he didn't care. The ministry was brushing him off, just because of another employees fuck up! It's all Watari's fault!

He'd be loosing his position, his job, everything! He was being replaced! Watari expected to help! Bullshit! He's taking my partner! He was loosing his partner...the youth's ran turned into a slow trot as his thoughts raced. I'm loosing...Tsuzuki...The blonde stopped walking and stared at the folder with glazed eyes.

That last thought his home. He didn't care about his job, his position, this case or anything else. What would they matter if he lost Tsuzuki? The very person that keeps him alive, the only person to actually care for him regardless of his attitude, life, age or size. Something clicked and the blonde looked up hopeful at the folder again.

He stays with me regardless of anything. But we'll be torn apart because Tatsumi or the ministry thinks I can't work like this...Tsuzuki never gave up on me and I wont give up on him. If I can prove to them I can take on a case like this, they'll have to let us stay partners. The blonde decided what he'd do. Just like in the normal business world, if an employee couldn't perform their job they'd be taken off the force, but if they could and pushed past expectations, their always welcome and sometimes rewarded.

I know my reward. He thought looking for the location of the incidents in the folder one more time, before closing it again and teleporting to Chijou case in hand. I can do this, even if I am six. After all, the note did say it was basic.

Back in Tatsumi's office, the two shinigami instructed to take the case began to walk out. A small crumpling sound echoed from under Watari's foot. Tsuzuki noticing first, leaned over picking it up. He quickly read it and turned back to the man who's signature was on the bottom.

"Tatsumi...did you write this?" The brunet quickly got up making his way over to the two. Grabbing it, he turned having his back to the two.

"Tsuzuki, Watari, prepare to go to Nagasaki right away. We have a problem."

Come to my office as soon as you get this. There's more to this case... It's in your best priorities that you see me before seeing out this case...

Meanwhile, back in Nagasaki, a child walks the streets. Heading to the location where the first victim was found; according to police reports.