After the initial shock of his realization had worn off, confusion, and a sense of frustration, took its spot in Hisoka's mind. Tsuzuki, a human? It was just too impossible and crazy to believe, like something you would read in a fantasy book or see on the twilight zone tv show. Is that even on, anymore? Regardless, it seemed less like reality and more like fiction. But with every passing minute, it was beginning to feel even more real, somehow. Anyway, first thing is first: if Tsuzuki was a human now, they couldn't allow him to run around naked like he was. So Tatsumi took initiative and brought up some clothes that had been left behind by a previous tenant who was, thankfully, about Tsuzuki's size, and kept him in the bedroom to dress him. Hisoka waited out o his couch, trying to make sense of the situation while he was alone, but all too soon, the bedroom door opened and Tatsumi walked out, pulling along the cat-man Tsuzuki by the hand. He was now dressed in a long, somewhat baggy hooded sweatshirt and long shorts. But as was expected, he didn't appear to be used to standing on two legs, as he was slouching and wasn't steady walking on his own. Tatsumi led him closer to the couch, but set him down on the floor, giving Hisoka space. It wasn't easy for him to suddenly have to deal with such an unusual change.

Tsuzuki looked around the room, seeing it from a new perspective for the first time, and was amazed by everything. Until his eyes fell on Hisoka. After that, nothing interested him more than his human. Having those bright purple eyes on him, however, only served to cause Hisoka more discomfort than he was already plagued with, and he looked away. This made Tsuzuki pout a little, not understanding Hisoka's sudden distance from him. Was it the three days he spent away? Or, most likely, it was his new form. Even Tsuzuki didn't know what caused it… although, it could have been that shooting star he saw the other night. Was that what did it? That would mean that wishing on stars was really effective! So why didn't people do it more often? Without realizing it, his newly-developed mind was racing with thoughts and ideas, so many that he didn't notice he was being called. A hand suddenly fell onto the top of his head, causing his attention to divert back into the room, and to the one whose hand was resting on his head between his ears: Tatsumi.

"It's strange… and also incredible, if you think about it, Kurosaki…" Tatsumi spoke softly, petting the man's head and brushing his fingers softly over his ears. This made Tsuzuki's ears twitch, and he purred softly in satisfaction. As a cat, this would have been cute, but in human form, Hisoka found this to be strangely wrong. Why had he wished for this? What had he done? Had he just ruined the only positive relationship… friendship he'd ever had? Hisoka was starting to fill up with guilt and dismay. How could he handle this? Tatsumi seemed to notice his rigid and stressed body language.

"Kurosaki…?" Hisoka opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't, immediately. Tatsumi was a patient man, however, and didn't rush him. he allowed Hisoka to take a few deep breaths and try again.

"…I don't know what to do…"

"Neither do I. But whether we know what's going on or not… it's happening, and we need to try our best to figure things out."

Figure them out, he says… but this was a supernatural event. How could they possibly hope to comprehend what was happening? They both took a few minutes to think things over, all the while, Tsuzuki looked back and forth between them. He didn't like how they both looked frustrated and confused… was it something he did? Wanting to make his Hisoka feel better, he crawled to him and rested his hands on Hisoka's leg, as he had done many times, and mewed at him. However, Hisoka reacted differently than he ever had before. He jumped, his face turned deep red, and he got stiff really fast. What was wrong with him? Determined to find out what, he mewed again. Instead of getting a response from Hisoka, he felt himself being pulled away from him and being set back on the floor only for Tatsumi to take a seat at Hisoka's side, where he wanted to be. This made him pout. Had he done something wrong? Tatsumi patted Hisoka's back and eventually, the blonde calmed down and looked back at Tsuzuki.

"If he's human now, why is he mewing still?"

"He probably doesn't know how to speak. We don't even know if he understands… or if he ever did."

But that didn't seem right. Hisoka was sure Tsuzuki was able to understand him in his cat form, so why not now? Determined to prove this, he took a breath and spoke to Tsuzuki.

"Tsuzuki…. Snack time." The brunette's ears instantly perked up at the sound of his second favorite word, and he quickly scurried off to the kitchen on his hands and knees, more than happy to get a snack for his human. Within a minute, he came rushing back with a granola sticking out of his mouth. He gladly offered it to Hisoka, who instantly regretted asking for it. It had been meant both as a demonstration and to feed his empty stomach, but now he wasn't sure if he wanted it. Still, he couldn't let Tsuzuki keep holding it in his mouth, fearing he might choke on it or drool on the floor, so he took it, unwrapped it, and fed it to Tsuzuki in pieces. It was kind of gross watching him drop some pieces and trying to pick them up off the floor with his mouth. Tatsumi was equally appalled.

"We'll need to train him to act human… at least until we can figure out what happened and change him back."

"We…?" Sure, Hisoka knew Tsuzuki was his pet, his responsibility, but he never before considered having to take care of a grown man, one seemingly older than himself, like he would a pet, or a toddler.

"That's right. I'm not going to make you bear this alone, Kurosaki…" And he slipped an arm around him for comfort. "I'll help you as much as possible." Tsuzuki, in the meantime, watched their movements, intrigued and entranced by them. Looking down, he didn't see that which he had known his whole life. Instead of paws, he saw hands and feet; instead of soft fur, he felt smooth, but occasionally leathery-like skin. Nothing that he had now was familiar, but… there was something about it he couldn't complain about. For a very long time, he longed for this… for arms to hold his Hisoka in… Would he finally get that? Well, before he could, he would have to learn to use his new body, and Tatsumi wasted no time in getting that started. He sat with Tsuzuki on the floor and went over basic body movements with him. Tsuzuki was a bit confused at first, but soon, he was moving body parts he had no idea about before, and his tail swished around excitedly. Now and then, he would lean over and look at Hisoka, mewing at him. Hisoka remained sitting on the far end of the couch with a book in his hands, glancing up only once in a while. He hardly spoke…

Speaking… that's what he wanted to do! He opened his mouth… but nothing came out. How was it done? Every time he tried, only silent air or a mew popped out. Talking in human language sure was tough! It would take some practice… But once he learned how it was done, physically, it was sure to be a breeze! He understood most of the language, as far as he thought. It was frustrating, not being able to talk, to say even a single real word to the one he had so longed to speak with, but he knew he had to be patient. But… Hisoka didn't seem as interested in him as he was when he was just a cat. He hoped he could change his mind…

All too soon, however, it grew dark out and Tatsumi was getting ready to leave. Hisoka was reluctant to stay in the apartment alone with Tsuzuki, as he never felt before, but Tatsumi assured him he would be all right. Tsuzuki had always been in the apartment, even if he was something different. Still, as Tatsumi was laying out a blanket and pillow on the couch, Hisoka looked troubled.

"What if he… you know… tries to come in with me…? I don't think I can handle that…"

"Then just tell him 'no'." Tatsumi answered, looking up. "By now, he follows your instructions, doesn't he?"

"Yes, but… I don't know…" Hisoka sighed. "He tends to sleep in my bed… but now, it would just feel weird…! Is it wrong to feel so… insecure?" Hisoka's head lowered, feeling so many conflicting emotions, it was causing his head to pound. Tatsumi sympathized with him and went to his side, patting his head.

"It's not wrong… this is a new and scary experience, but believe me when I say you can handle it. Just take it slow… and if he disobeys, use a firm voice, and he'll understand you."

"I hope you're right…"

Tsuzuki was in the bathroom washing up like Tatsumi showed him, but he didn't like it. Hisoka wasn't there… It just wasn't the same. Climbing out of the tub, he almost slipped, but managed to land on his hand and knees. It hurt, not like when he was a cat, but he tried to ignore it and shook off before slipping into a pair of polka dot pajamas Tatsumi had given him. But he couldn't quite figure it out. He mewed a few times, alerting the others, and Tatsumi entered moments later to help him. Unlike Hisoka, Tatsumi didn't blush being so close to him, or touching his skin. Maybe he was used to this sort of thing? It was one of those many things he was having trouble understanding. Once he was dressed, he followed Tatsumi out, trying to walk like him, but not doing so well, and he saw Hisoka standing by his bedroom. Excited for what was to come next, what he missed the most while Hisoka was gone, he hurried closer, but was stopped when Hisoka let out a firm "stop."

Tsuzuki stopped and sat on the floor, eyes wide, mouth slightly open, and definitely confused. He… wasn't going to sleep with him? why not? Had he gotten in trouble? No, no matter how much trouble he had been in before, Hisoka ALWAYS let him sleep in his bed, so why now…? Experimentally, he scooted closer.

"Tsuzuki, NO!" Tsuzuki flinched. The look on his face was a mix of confusion, hurt, and guilt. It was a look that would have been difficult to ignore on a cat, but was even more unbearable on a human. Briefly, he considered letting him in, but he knew it couldn't be helped. His bed wasn't big enough, anyway- not to mention how awkward it would be, waking up next to a grown man… especially one that looked as handsome as him…

! Oh, gosh, Hisoka berated himself. Did he just think that? Now his mind was even more jumbled about. He needed sleep. Hisoka held his head, which worried Tsuzuki and made him come a little closer. This time, Hisoka spoke quieter, sounding more anxious and desperate.

"Tsuzuki, please... just… sleep on the couch…. Okay…?"

Something was wrong… Hisoka wasn't acting like himself. But there was no way Tsuzuki would make him feel worse, in any way, so despite his confusion and hurt, he made his way to the couch and crawled under the blanket. Tatsumi stayed for a while, making sure Tsuzuki stayed put and that Hisoka could manage, before he left, leaving the two in the dark, quiet apartment. Though they were only a room apart, somehow, they felt like a wide vast ocean lie between them… Both of them learned a painful lesson that night… That you can feel all alone… even in the company of someone you hold very close to you. …Used to hold close…