My last chapter didn't really get anywhere, sorry about that. I hope this one is better.

-Chapter 10-

Ryu had left Tsuzuki alone a little while ago, to go and look for Kuri. Leaving, Tsuzuki alone with his thoughts.

'I don't care what Ryu says, or anyone else, this is all my fault. I caused this. I should have kept you with me that night. Maybe if I would have asked you would have told me about what was happening. It is my fault…' Tsuzuki thought.

Since Hisoka was brought back, he hadn't left Hisoka's side. He couldn't bring himself to leave him, he was too worried. Most of the bruises had finally healed but some things hadn't faded.

As he gazed down at Hisoka, he carefully reached out and brushed a few strands of wheat-colored hair out of his eyes. He could only cast a small, sad smile at his young love, as he traced his jaw with his hand. His eyes traveled downward, and that's when he noticed the collar was still on.

Tsuzuki was rather confused, he thought that Watari and he had taken everything off of Hisoka. He reached out and tried to unbuckle the collar, but it wouldn't open. He began to panic.

"Watari!"

Watari ran into the infirmary after a few moments. He stood panting for breath in the door way.

"What is it Tsuzuki?" Watari asked.

"The collar. It won't come off." Tsuzuki said, motioning towards the collar.

"Tsuzuki honestly. Maybe you were opening it incorrectly." Watari replied, going over to Hisoka.

"I'm serious Watari. It won't come off."

Watari leaned over and tried to undo the collar. Much to his dismay, it wouldn't come off.

"This is strange. I'll have to look into it." Watari said going over to his computer.

"What could it mean Watari?" Tsuzuki quietly asked, running his hand along the strip of leather.

"I don't know…" was the scientist's reply. "I don't know…"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryu and Tatsumi were sent to look around Nagasaki for any trace of Kuri. The two didn't really speak to each other at all. In actuality, neither knew what to say to the other. It had been about five hours, and nothing. It was beginning to seem hopeless.

"we should get back and check in with the others." Tatsumi said, turning to Ryu.

"I'll stay and keep looking. You go on back." Ryu replied.

Tatsumi was confused. Ryu seemed very cold and unapproachable, but it didn't seem that way anymore. In all honesty, Tatsumi couldn't believe that this man was Kuri's partner, and for twenty- five years.

"Alright. But we need to back soon. You have another two hours, maximum. Alright?"

Ryu nodded, walking away form Tatsumi. Tatsumi cats one final look at his before teleporting.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tatsumi reappeared in the infirmary.

"What's going on?" Tatsumi asked an frantically typing Watari.

"Bon's collar won't come off. I think I found the reason why." He replied.

"What is it?" Tsuzuki asked, turning around to look at Watari.

"It seems tat since Hisoka is still connected to Muraki this collar is representing Muraki's ownership of Hisoka. Basically, until we can get Hisoka to wake up, the collar won't come off. At least that's how it seems." Watari replied.

Tsuzuki turned his gaze back to Hisoka. It pained him to know that Hisoka was still under Muraki's control. He took Hisoka's hand in his own.

Watari gave Tatsumi a worried look before asking "By the way, where's Ryu?"

"He decided to stay and look for Kuri on his own." Tatsumi replied.

"How the heck did those two end up being partners? And for this long?" Watari asked.

"I don't know." Tatsumi replied. "I've been wondering the same thing."

"They love each other…" came a soft reply.

"What!" Tsuzuki and Tatsumi yelled at the same time.

Tsuzuki turned and looked at them. "They love each other. That's why they are together." he said.

"How do you know that Tsuzuki?" Watari asked.

"The way Ryu talked about her, and their promise, it just made scene. Besides, he seemed to understand how I was feeling. He's not such a bad guy really." Tsuzuki replied.

"What promise Tsuzuki?" Tatsumi asked.

Tsuzuki let a small smile grace his face. "The one that they wouldn't move on without each other…"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryu had been searching for hours, but to on avail. Even with their link, he was unable to locate Kuri. It was frustrating…

'where is she?' He thought for the umpteenth time that day. Tatsumi had wanted him back hours ago, but he couldn't stop searching. It seemed that if he was to stop, then he would miss her. He couldn't loose her, not her.

'Kuri, where are you?…'

That's when he felt it.

"Kuri!" and he ran.

He knew that presence, it was Kuri, their link was back. He sprinted in the direction he felt her. It didn't take long before he rounded a corner and saw her.

"Kuri… Kuri!" he yelled as he rushed to her side. She was lying naked, in the middle of an alley. She wasn't moving, barley breathing, with cuts and bruises all over her. He recoiled for a quick moment before lifting her up into his arms. This was bad, and he needed help. He quickly teleported to Mefui. If he would have looked back down, he would have seen the fading red marks on her right arm…

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tsuzuki, Watari, and Tatsumi were all in the infirmary.

"He's late." Tatsumi said.

"He's probably still looking for Kuri, that's all Tatsumi." Watari replied.

"I understand that but he needs to understand that we are working on this together. He can't do this alone." Tatsumi replied.

"You can't blame him really." Watari replied.

"I suppose but…"

Just then the door open and a rather distraught Ryu runs in. Before anyone has time to say anything he says "I found Kuri."

"Where is she?" Tatsumi asked.

"She's in you office." Ryu replied.

Everyone got up and headed to Tatsumi's office. When thwy opened the door, they saw Kuri sitting on the couch, awake…

"Kuri what are you doing up? You need to rest lie down." Ryu said, rushing to her side.

"It's alright Ryu. Wait! What are you doing here Ryu? And Where?… I missed something." She said, same old Kuri.

"Kuri, you were taken by Muraki…" Tatsumi began.

"I remember that. But how did I get here. Hisoka… I need to see Hisoka!" she said, as she tried to stand and ended up falling. If Ryu hadn't caught her, she would have hit the floor.

"Kuri, you need to stay sitting, you can't move around yet." Ryu said.

"I'm fine I need to see Hisoka. Please let me Ryu."

"Not right now. If you try to do anything you know what the consequences would be." he replied.

"But…" she started.

"Ryu is right. You are in no condition to help anyone right now." Tatsumi joined in.

"But Tatsumi…" she started.

"No buts. Now let Watari check you over. We'll be outside waiting.

"Fine." she pouted. "But first, Tsuzuki are you alright?" she asked, looking at Tsuzuki.

Tsuzuki hadn't said anything until then, but he was truly happy that she was back. He moved from where he was standing to embrace her. She smiled and hugged him back. She knew that he wasn't alright and that he wouldn't be until Hisoka returned to normal. He was crying.

"It's alright Tsuzuki. I'm fine, see? And as soon as I can get away, I'm going to go and help Hisoka, alright? Please don't cry anymore." she said, hugging him back.

He nodded against her. I'm glad you're back." he mumbled.

"Thanks, now I believe Watari wanted to give me a look over. I warn you do anything and Ryu will kill you." she said with a smile.

Watari smiled in return. It had been a while since anyone had smiled and with Kuri back it seemed as is things may turn out alright.

"Okay boys, out. I don't want any of you peaking, she said with a wink. Needless to say they all left the room.

"Alright Kuri, are you in pain anywhere?" Watari began.

"No, I think I'll be fine. I just need a rest, that's all." she replied.

"I still want to look you over and run a few tests, alright?" Watari said.

"Fine." she replied.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Outside the office-

Tsuzuki, Tatsumi and Ryu were standing around rather awkwardly. Tatsumi was the one who decided to break the silence.

"How was she when you found her?" he asked Ryu.

"In bad shape. I cleaned her up and then brought her here." he replied.

"Do you know what happened?" Tsuzuki asked.

"No. I have no idea." he said.

There was another silence.

"Ryu there was something I wanted to ask you about." Tsuzuki said.

"what is it?" Ryu replied.

"It was when you were telling me that Kuri wanted to help me because I loved someone, but I don't understand."

"What Tsuzuki?" Ryu asked.

"It just understand why she would do that for me. I don't understand why the fact that I'm in love would make her do that. Did something happen Ryu?" Tsuzuki asked.

There was another silence. Tatsumi was interested now, he too wanted to know. Just because he had meet he a long time ago, didn't mean that he knew everything about her. Ryu looked as if he was trying to decide on the right way to explain it.

"Kuri…" he started. "she lost someone she loved, when she was alive. It's complicated… I don't think she would want me to say too much but… you can ask her. I think she would tell you, but that's her past not mine. We all have our reasons for becoming guardians, and we all hide our pasts. Ryu is one of u, did you honestly believe her life was any better, just because of how she acts."

Tsuzuki and Tatsumi were silent. Yes, they knew that each guardian had their own reasons for taking the job, but you can hope that their lives weren't as bad as yours. Top think that someone like Kuri had a life that bad, it was disturbing.

"No. I didn't expect her to have a better life, but I could hope, right? It's just so sad…" Tsuzuki said.

"Tsuzuki, It's not your fault. If you want to know just ask her. I jus don't have the right to disclose that information." Ryu replied.

The door opened to the office and Watari stepped out.

"She seems to be fine. There's nothing wrong with her, at least physically. You can go in now." Watari said.

Tsuzuki looked at Ryu and he nodded. Tsuzuki walked in and shut the door behind him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This didn't really get anywhere either, sorry about that. I'll update before the end of the weekend, with a better chapter I might add. Please review!- Kaoui18