Tsuzuki was overjoyed to be getting Hisoka back, though, for some reason, it still hurt him greatly. He felt pained and guilty all the while he was with him, not that he could show that. And for that matter, getting Hisoka out of his host house would be difficult, since the other boy living there thought he was a creepy stalker. So, Tatsumi did his part and drove up to the house a short while after Hisoka and the other student got there, introducing himself as the boy's father.

Tsuzuki waited around the corner, trying not to look suspicious as he waited for Tatsumi to acquire Hisoka and round the corner to meet him. Instead of getting in the back with Hisoka, as Tatsumi had expected, he got in and sat up front with him, and the expression on his face was difficult to read. Looking at him, and then back at Hisoka, who looked calm and content, he became slightly confused. Tsuzuki usually wouldn't pass up the chance to sit next to his partner, but this person wasn't completely… Immediately abandoning the idea, he put the car into gear and started driving. Since Hisoka wasn't in the mood to deal with the silent treatment Tsuzuki was giving him, he decided to talk to the other.

"Mr. Tatsumi, where exactly are we going right now?"

"We have a small base set up in a ministry department building that's under construction. It's secluded, but cozy."

"Oh I see…"

"Or, if you're hungry, we could catch a bite to eat!"

"Well… I didn't eat lunch today, so I guess I am a little hungry. Tsuzuki, are you hungry, too?"

"I…"

"Tsuzuki here is ALWAYS hungry! He almost wont stop eating for a minute, whether he's on the job or not."

"Ah! Tatsumi, that's not nice to say! I'm not a complete glutton, you know! How mean…"

"It may be mean, but it's true. The kid deserves to know the real you!"

"Hmph. I hate you for saying that, Tatsumi!"

Watching the two of them go at it, Hisoka felt a sense of nostalgia, and though it was very odd being witness to that strange argument, it felt normal to him. The more time he spent with those people, the more complete he felt, even if it was painful, sometimes. Though… he had to stop and think about that. Why was his soul in pain? What was it about being with them, and more specifically Tsuzuki, that sent an uncomfortable feeling down into the pit of his stomach? Something was wrong…but before he had time to figure it out, the group had arrived at a small restaurant to eat.

They all go out of the car and entered the clean little establishment, choosing a seat of their choice. Barely anyone spoke during the time before their food arrived, but when it did, t was worse. Hisoka was eating very little, not like it was unusual, but Tsuzuki was almost ignoring his food altogether. Tatsumi was nearly done with his meal when he noticed an air of unease between the two partners. He set down his fork and smiled, trying to remain optimistic.

"So, Kurosaki… I'm sure you have a lot of questions! It's got to be difficult to get back into the swing of things!"

"Ah… I guess so. Not knowing what I'm supposed to do is… frustrating."

"That's understandable. But, I'm sure things will become easier for you soon enough. And once we find that monster, you can rest a bit easier!"

"I hope so."

Just then, Tsuzuki dared to raise his head, and almost instantly, his eyes met curious and anxious emerald. He hadn't expected to have to face that look so soon, but it wasn't like he would dare turn away. Hisoka had it even worse than he did, and Tsuzuki absolutely refused to abandon him! So, even though he wasn't quite feeling it, he smiled at his partner. Tatsumi noticed this, and decided that it was a good start. The rest of lunch was quiet, with small conversations on the side, and the group was off again.

Very quickly, Hisoka was tiring of the long drive, and staring out the window wasn't helping to entertain him. For a short time, he actually started to drift off. Before he knew it, the car had pulled to a stop, and was being shaken. The ashen-haired boy lazily wiped the sleep from his eyes and looked up to meet sympathetic amethyst.

"Hey… wake up, sleepy head! We're here!"

"Here…? Where is here?"

"You'll see… come on."

Tsuzuki gently helped Hisoka out of the car and into a large underground garage. It was almost completely empty, and lights flickered eerily. It was like in horror films, in a scene right before something bad happens….but how would he know that? Had he ever seen one of those movies, or… was it something else?

"This is it…?" Hisoka asked, quietly, as he looked around. Tsuzuki noticed a shakiness to his voice and looked down at him.

"Yes… does it frighten you?"

Instantly, a blush flew to the boy's cheeks, and one of those angry feelings bubbled to the surface. Hisoka threw an embarrassed glare at the taller and turned his head away. he made sure to keep a good foot away from his partner as they started walking again, as if he had to prove his courage. This was what Hisoka was like, at least in the beginning… but Tsuzuki couldn't stand to think about that right away, and he followed them as they got into the elevator and rode it to the third floor above ground level.

That floor, compared to the garage, was startling, to say the least. It was clean, organized and painted almost completely white. It was like being in heaven, itself. Though, it didn't seem to phase the other two as they led the way once again down the hall. all was silent until they passed through large double doors at the end of the hall, and then, at least a dozen pairs of eyes were on them. Everyone who had been working on the case was there, crowded in that one large, white room, and once Hisoka walked in, all of their thoughts came crashing into him.

'He's here!'

'That kid is him?'

'So he's still alive…'

The weight of all those emotions and thoughts were making it very hard for Hisoka to concentrate on even just walking, and Tsuzuki had miscalculated how hard it would be for him. Obviously, having forgotten about his own empathy and how strong it was, Hisoka would have a difficult time in such a crowded room, but before he could stop and do anything about it, a loud screech was heard. Only a moment later, a tall blonde-haired man had Hisoka pulled up into his arms tightly. Panic welled up in the pit of Hisoka's stomach for a moment, not expecting to be caught off guard like that, but the man, himself, did not appear to be dangerous.

" Bon! Oh, Bon, it's really you! I'm so glad you're back!!"

"Wh-what?"

Tsuzuki smiled.

"Watari… do be careful with him! You know how Hisoka is when it comes to those bear hugs of yours!"

"Oh, I know, but I just can't help it! I've just missed him is all!" 3

After another big squeeze, Watari sighed contentedly and set the boy down. Hisoka was so dizzy from the strong feelings emanating from the blonde that he nearly fell over backwards, and was once again grateful that Tsuzuki was by him, to keep him steady. Though, the bigger man was snickering to himself, causing Hisoka to blush uncontrollably.

"Hisoka, this is Yutaka Watari, in charge of basic research and development. He's also head at the infirmary."

"And a self-proclaimed genius, I must add!" 3

"Oh… really?"

There was a moment of silence, then, and Hisoka was starting to feel upset and out of place. All these people knew him, and he couldn't recall even their names… their faces were somewhat familiar, and the feelings he sensed were also such, but his mind was drawing blanks. Who were they? And on top of that, who was HE? How was he supposed to act in front of these people? During that instant, and later on, while he was being greeted by more unfamiliar people, and their boss, apparently, he just stayed quiet. He was sitting in on a meeting, listening to the two top ranks talk about their mission, and he couldn't put two and two together. He wanted to ask what had happened to himself during that mission, but he wasn't sure he wanted the answer. He had so many questions, but fear was welling up inside him. Would things ever be as they once were?