Disclaimer: I do not own Yami no Matsuei

Shout-outs:

AnimeAngelRin: (Gives over a hankie)

Eternity's Heir: I'm taking lots of risks with this story. I've never done anything so violent, I've never written so many cliffhangers, and I've never been this dark. I don't think I'll ever get this way again. So you'll probably get your fame back (Wink).

Amethyst-eyed Koneko: Ah, the review I was dreading the most. Not because I was expecting "ZOMGIHATESYOUDIE" from you, but because I think you are the most emotionally invested fan I've ever had. I don't mean to torture you, just the characters, but you love them so much I guess I end up paining you, too. (Snuggles) Sorry. I'm actually glad I can cause big emotional reactions in readers, though; it says something about my writing skills.

Appalled at Tsuzuki, I can understand. I'm glad you didn't say "surprised", because I thought it very IC for him. I'm a little disappointed in myself; I'm not sure if I got Tsuzuki's failing mental state quite across. I live in such fear of the "tell not show" narrative that I think I leave too much up to the readers' imagination, which ends up confusing them. Ah, well, that'll be rectified sooner or later.

Anyway, we'll be seeing the Shiki very soon. And by "very soon", I mean, "scroll down". I should have mentioned earlier that Hell is fairly difficult to navigate if you're not a local. Sorry. (Bows)

As for Muraki…I don't even know what I did with him anymore. One thing is for sure: he's dead. However, I'm not sure if he's "done for"; I don't want to exclude him from a possible-though-unlikely-because-I-have-a-theme-but-no-plot third installation. In any case, his suicide was a huge, dangerous leap I took. Don't worry if it confuses you. That's what we have the falling action for, because falling action equals exposition, duh. (Wink)

Interesting bit about the RK parallels: I first thought Izanami, like Akuko, was a "Chou" character, but then I realized that the jaded-against-the-world attitude brought her much closer to Usui in motivation, even if she's closer to Chou in personality.

And I assure you the W/T plotline is not dead. It just hasn't been put in yet. Sorry they haven't had much time, but they have their moments. Watari has his own memory-induced angst this chapter, by the way. Emotional torture is so fun.

laustic: "Intense"…perfect adjective. (Grin)

demonyo: Welcome! (Glomps) Glad you're enjoying the story. Regarding Hisoka—in order to get to the climax, something truly awful had to happen to him. I love him, too, he's one of my favorite characters—I just express my love through extreme emotional torture.

Cheetah192119: I've noticed you put me on your Faves, but I don't think you've ever reviewed before…better late than never! (Glomps) I'm glad you can't find anything to criticize, that you enjoy the overall story, and that you're going to continue. It's my pleasure writing it, and thank you!

Masami-chan: I was waiting for you! (Glomps) I know, what a horrible "welcome back to the storyline!" for you to come to. But thank you for the "genius" comment. (Big Grin) Just keep on reading to find out what happens to Hisoka.

Even I was skeptical about making this action/adventure. It's not my forte and I haven't really done it much before. However, I decided that there was more action/adventure and drama than romance, even though romance is here in abundance. Like I told AEK, Watari gets his own romance plotline, in which there is drama. Unfortunately, I'll only be able to squeeze in maybe two very small mentions of Saya/Yuma (if you want to read S/Y, go check out the Philia). Tsubaki/Eileen is my darling pet, and there's no mistaking Tsuzuki/Hisoka is the greatest pairing in the long, lovely history of great pairings.

Eternity's Heir: Ooh, I'm scared (Sarcasm). (EH steps forward menacingly) (Cower) LOL, just kidding. Yes, all about Muraki will eventually be explained.

Kiko812: There you are! (Snuggles) I was getting worried. How funny – you review the day this chapter was finished. Thank you for all the compliments.

Off-Topic Rambling #1: I found this in a forum user's signature at Fiction Alley: "Can I take you away with me? I can't let you go, even if everything falls apart and my heart is confused. I know it's selfish, but I can't stop myself. Can I love you? Can I stay here with you?" That. Is just. Spooky.

Off-Topic Rambling #2: I have to do an essay: "Select a piece of art and explain the impact it has had on your life". Guess what I'm going to write about? Yep, YnM and how Tsuzuki/Hisoka shaped my views on love and self-sufficiency. Ain't life grand? I'm done with it – it's five pages long.

Off-Topic Rambling #3: Tried out a new Tarot spread. I got this for Seeker: "A fouled relationship, possibly abusive. Seeker managed to leave this relationship in order to get a new, happier one. However enthusiastic they may be, though, they have a poor outlook due to the last relationship and are afraid of moving forward." I got this for Partner: "A good person who was betrayed and dropped into a self-defeating depression. In their new setting they brought sorrow wherever they went, lonely and selfish. Something managed to snap them out of it, though, and they began a turn-around."

Now, who does this remind you of? And I wasn't even reading for T/H; I was just laying down Minor Arcana cards! Even my Guardian Angel who controls my Tarot is obsessed with Tsusoka! Is this unhealthy?

By the way, the cards for Seeker were Seven of Swords Reversed, Four of Cups Reversed, Ten of Cups, Five of Pentacles Reversed, Ace of Wands, and Eight of Swords. The cards for Partner were Three of Wands, Knight of Pentacles Reversed, Seven of Pentacles Reversed, Six of Pentacles, Page of Swords Reversed, Eight of Cups, King of Swords Reversed, Ace of Pentacles Reversed, Knight of Cups Reversed, Six of Swords Reversed, and Four of Wands. I find it interesting that Hisoka's biggest issues are in his intellectual/emotional world (swords/cups), while Tsuzuki's issues are in his physical world (pentacles), especially since Hisoka's deal is not being loved, whereas Tsuzuki's deal is his inability to love himself because of his DNA. Gotta love Tarot.

Side Note #1: Suzaku's sword is a zanbatou. Kira's is a shortsword. I'm not even going to bother with finding out what Kurikara's is. It's just Futsu.

Side Note #2: Snakes smell with their tongue.

Side Note #3: "They call us Legion, for we are many" is a quote from the Gospels.

Side Note #4: Remember that Hisoka doesn't know Tsuzuki witnessed the rape. That'll be changed soon enough.

Personal Note: PLEASE KNOW I AM SORRY FOR THE DELAY. Believe me when I say everything and its great-grandmother was conspiring to keep me from this chapter: band, the essay, my slow and decrepit computer, my lack of inspiration, my family, etc, etc. Pray for an avoidance of the "chapter 6" fiasco that happened last time it took forever to crank out a chapter (as in, the chapter was bad bad bad), and hopefully enjoy.

Also, the "ruler" option of my edit/preview for this chapter is not working, so I'll be using a different method of separation between sections:

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Dream, Illusions, and Reality

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"God d-mn it's hot in here."

"Aren't you a Fire Shiki?" Watari asked, glancing over at the phoenix.

"It doesn't change the fact that God d-mn it's hot in here," Suzaku returned, pulling on her newly created V-neck collar. Much to Touda's amusement she had doffed her uniform and ripped off the sleeves and high-standing collar off her undergarment.

"And I'm pretty sure wandering around in circles like a bunch of idiots isn't helping any," Kurikara snarled.

"You're not helping any with your whining," Kira snapped irritably, fingering her shortsword. How odd to keep an instrument of death alongside a long circular row of healing water. At least she wasn't out of place—Suzaku's zanbatou wagged slightly back and forth against her hip, and Kurikara's hand was placed protectively against the hilt of his own Futsu.

Red vapor filled the air in puffs as if blood was evaporating instead of water, the small molecules sticking in the party of seven's throats as the trudged, squinting through the fog.

There was a loud rushing sound and Watari let out a startled gasp as heat rushed up his leg from his ankle, burning through his clothes. He stumbled away from the boiling geyser, landing solidly against Tatsumi's back. An apology died softly in his throat as Tatsumi's arm, seemingly unthinkingly, dropped around Watari's shoulder and then jerked him down as a flock of blood-red bats with wings set alight swooped dangerously close to their heads before taking off into the darkness, their screeches filling the foggy air.

There was a small shriek and the loud rumbling of rocks, and Watari looked up in time to see Touda snatch Suzaku's arm and yank her away from where solid rock was crumbling and falling from underneath her feet.

Suzaku slipped, trying to regain her footing. In one movement Touda swept her up into his arms and jumped back as more rocks fell.

"What was that?"

"That was me picking you up," Touda responded.

"Not that," Suzaku retorted. "I got that. There's something over there."

"I see it, too," Kira said, squinting off into the distance.

"Finally, a lead." Touda set Suzaku on her feet, one arm still wrapped around her waist. A forked tongue slid out of his mouth and licked the air. He paused. "It's…that's Hisoka."

"It's who?" Watari responded automatically. "Bon? Oh, sh-t…"

The sprint toward him was almost of simultaneous mind, which unconsciously slowed down as the stench of vomit and blood filled the air around a still, ashen form.

"Bon, oh God…" Watari's steps hitched momentarily. Kira passed him, uncorking a bottle, and he pulled off his lab coat to cover Hisoka as Kira poured holy liquid down Hisoka's throat.

"Sh-t, he's not waking up," Kira said through gritted teeth after a few gut-wrenching seconds.

"Why not?" Tatsumi demanded.

"It's the power of this place. All this negative energy…and who knows what they actually did to him…God d-mn."

"Kira, let me get at his head," Watari said, pulling Mother Laptop out from the protective crook of his arm. Kira scooted slightly away as Watari took her place, setting the computer on the ground and pressing a button on the keyboard. Thin compartments opened on either side of the contraption and out spilled two probes.

"What are those?" Suzaku asked suspiciously.

"These are going to send electrical pulses into his brain."

"You're frickin' nuts, you know that?"

"They're mild, Suzaku. Enough to wake him up, not fry his brains."

"You're useful, aren't you?" Kira said.

"I try to b—" Watari began, looking up. Kira was in his sight for one second and gone the next.

Before anyone could think or move there was the sound of glass breaking. A white fog crept steadily over the area and ear-shattering shrieks filled where the fog did not. One shriek dropped out with the soft shink of Kira's shortsword.

"What in Hell…" Tatsumi muttered, coughing into his fist as the fog cleared away with a sudden gust of wind.

"They call us legion," a sinister voice said from the shadows, dripping in irony, "for we are many."

"Shikome," Kira said with a hiss, drawing her sword out of the body of one of the slowly dying aforementioned.

"Hell's version of us," Suzaku spat, drawing her zanbatou from its hilt. One pair of eyes glistened at the sight of her and pulled a sword likewise.

"Finally, some carnage," Kurikara said, taking Futsu in hand.

"You're a right sick b-st-rd, you know that?" Touda said conversationally, charging up his blood with fire.

Wakaba clasped both hands over her heart, balling her fingers into fists, before slowly releasing them to lie flat, palms up. Sweat ran down her forehead as translucent blue light formed in a disc over her hands.

"It's a miko!" one of the Shikome hissed, launching herself forward. Wakaba's shield formed in a rush of adrenaline but for nothing—she pulled out of her fear-induced wince and saw her attackers head go flying as a black, ink-like substance sliced through its neck.

"Watari, you keep trying to revive him," Tatsumi muttered, retracting his shadow slightly.

"Wasn't thinking of doing anything else."

Pale-faced, Wakaba poured more energy into her shield as the blue light began to mold around the bodies of her companions.

Not one to be on the defensive, Suzaku was the first to charge forward, brandishing her zanbatou.

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"Come on, Bon, come on, please," Watari chanted. It had to have been an hour. Or fifteen; he couldn't tell. He did not dare raise the voltage any further; he had already raised it and going furthermore would cause Hisoka's brain to sizzle.

A shriek and a splash of blood reached his ear almost simultaneously as Futsu sliced through another Shikome. "D-mn, they just keep coming!" followed along presently. Steam was rising from the armor Wakaba provided them with as each Hell-born creature came in contact with it, melting both the armor and the Shikome in one shot. Wakaba staggered, sweating profusely.

"Bon, come on, now would be a good time, could use some extra help here." For a fleeting moment Watari wondered what a conscious but likely still incapacitated Hisoka could possibly do, but the thought fell by the wayside. He wasn't any more useful, and Hisoka had to be woken up.

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"It's that one…the smaller one…that Izanami-sama said we can't allow to wake up?"

"Of course, dunderhead. He's the only one who's unconscious, isn't he?"

"Can't we just kill him?"

"No, she might need him for something or other. Or want him. 'S'what she said."

"But then, we gotta get rid of that one who's pressing the buttons, right?"

"Duh."

"Can I have a little fun with him, first?"

"Be my guest, 's'long as you don't get yourself offed."

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When Watari looked up again it was dark.

"Oh, sh-t," he muttered. "Okay…Tatsumi? Kira? Wakaba? Any of you Shiki? Hey, Tatsumi!…?"

His words echoed around the darkness with no reply.

"D-mn…I do believe my mind has been hijacked."

"You'd think that, wouldn't you?"

Watari whipped around and stumbled backwards.

"It's been awhile, Yutaka."

"You know I hate that name," Watari answered dumbly, automatically, blinking. "Kyo…how?"

"Contrary to your beliefs, love, your mind hasn't been hijacked," Kyo answered, smiling. "It's hijacked you."

"That's impossible."

"No, your hair on rainy days is impossible, love. This is you, and me, in your mind. C'mon, even we of science were looking into the occult to have the baby, is it really impossible to believe your mind could kidnap you?"

""The" baby?" Watari repeated. "As in, already exists?"

"Oh, yeah, you've yet to catch up. Yep, "the" baby, love. Stop looking at my face."

"You know, I never could do that," Watari murmured softly to himself, tearing his eyes away from Kyo's face and glancing slightly downward. Half-cradled in Kyo's arm and half-sitting on his lap was a baby.

"Is this…this isn't re—…is it…a boy or a girl?" he asked dazedly.

"What do you think?"

"I don't care," Watari answered in a rush, breathlessly. Bewilderedly he reached forward, his hand brushing the child's forehead. It was solid; warm. Real. "Kyo, this can't be…this isn't real. You're not real."

"I'm not real? The baby isn't real? Well, in your mind, love, where you are, we're real."

"Can't argue that," Watari said, allowing a laugh to escape. The urge to snatch the baby up was becoming nearly impossible to resist.

"You wanna stay here for awhile?"

"I could," Watari conceded slowly. "But…"

"What, you would abandon me again, Yutaka?"

Watari stepped back quickly, his face transfixed in horror. "What?"

"You heard me."

"You would never say that, Kyo."

"No, but you would. You would have me say that you let me die. And that, love, is as true as the baby and I are."

"Kyo?" Watari put forth, almost timidly, reaching out a hand again. As his fingers brushed the solidness of Kyo's face a sizzling heat rushed through his hands and blackness splattered underneath his fingers.

"Kyo? Kyo, what the hell…Kyo? Kyo!"

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"Sh-t. I knew she'd get herself offed."

"Why does it sound like you're not the least bit remorseful?"

"Why do you think? She was a f-cking moron. Kinda glad she's dead."

"…We're getting our –sses kicked."

"Susano-sama is on his own now. I'm outtie."

"Right. Hey, girls! We're getting the f-ck outta here."

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When Watari looked down again there was a severed head flung haphazardly almost completely across his lap.

He blinked at it. His nerves were numb and the thought of removing it from himself did not affix itself in his mind.

"Watari, are you okay?" Wakaba demanded anxiously, and Watari looked up, his focus unsettled.

"What the hell was she doing to you?" Tatsumi demanded, and Watari could see Tatsumi's shadow detract from the shikome's body. Watari looked up mutely, and winced at sight of blood splattered across Tatsumi's face and shirt.

"She…nothing," Watari said, managing to push the head off his lap with a shudder. "Where are the—?"

"They vanished," Suzaku explained. "Just disappeared."

"Watari, you look like you're going to hurl," Tatsumi said sternly.

"I assure you I am in full control of my digestive system," Watari said, weak mirth coming through. "Now, back to Bon…"

It took a moment for everyone to register that they had been fighting with an intent of protecting Hisoka. Battle will do that to you.

Watari was relieved to see that the small shocks were having some sort of effect; he could make out Hisoka's eyelids twitching in REM-like movements underneath his eyelids. Guttural noises were beginning to erupt from his throat. Watari detached the probes form Hisoka's temples and reached out to touch his arm.

"Get away from me!"

Hisoka's eyes snapped open. With a self-induced convulsion he sat up and pushed back almost simultaneously, unconsciously dragging Watari's lab coat with him.

"Bon, what in Hell?" Watari demanded bewilderedly,

"I could say the same d-mn thing," Hisoka responded, his eyes focusing even though his breathing was still hard and uncontrolled. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Trying to rescue you, ingrate," Kurikara muttered, glaring. "We've been battling our –sses off while you've taken your sweet time being unconscious."

"I didn't ask to be…unconscious," Hisoka said, suddenly mindful and heated at the memory.

"In other words, stop being a b-tch," Kira muttered.

"Bon, what happened to you?" Watari asked. "You look like wild animals tried to rip you apart."

"Good analogy," Hisoka muttered, pulling Watari's coat over him with difficulty.

"Where's Tsuzuki?" Tatsumi, Suzaku, and Hisoka intoned at the same time.

"Oh, sh-t," Touda muttered.

"Have you even seen him at all?" Watari asked.

"N-no, I haven't seen him," Hisoka said, a sudden wave of panic rising. A tide of sickness suddenly rose up out of his intestines. Awful thoughts permeated with Tsuzuki's soul, running around his head…betrayed, abandoned, hate, murderer, demon.

His newly returned Empathy was bubbling in his chest like a carbonated liquid. His head was throbbing as he tried to reach out with his hated power, sniffing out any scent of Tsuzuki. It was like a waterfall landing on a flat surface, the water spreading in every direction, further than anyone thought it could.

'The d-mn thing's expanded,' Hisoka thought to himself.

"Bon?" Watari said, his tone demanding an explanation.

"I'm trying to sense him," Hisoka snapped, his eyes squinted shut in concentration. 'Throw me a God d-mn bone here, Tsuzuki,' his mind shouted, searching for anything of Tsuzuki, that love, that guilt, that anything.

There was a snap in his brain as he felt a touch of Tsuzuki's soul being overwhelmed with hatred born of tainted demon blood. Those words were beginning to warp sorrow and despair with perverse glee and possessive pride. Hisoka's mind whipped back in a knee-jerk reaction, almost losing the trail.

"F-ck. Those demons…they're trying to brainwash him." Hisoka forced strength into his legs and stood, wobbling. His knees gave way and Suzaku ran to catch him before he could hit the ground again.

"How's that?" Watari asked, rising.

"They're trying to use his guilt," Hisoka said, attempting to regain his balance. "They're trying to use it bring out whatever dark side he could possibly have…"

He gritted his teeth, steeling his nerves to stand on his own.

"But I'll be d-mned if I let them take him from me."