Reichkun's comment: Woohoo! Chap 9 was a hit! punch fist in the air (well not what you call a smash hit, but you guys managed to make reviews the day after I updated amazed) I doubt this chappie can beat it but here's to it! I decided to change some sequences so I guess the laughs comes later. Again my apologies for the long wait and the short chapter.

Chapter 10: Thinking of You

Pigeons were lazily fluttering in the sky, sluggish from the morning heat. The leader suddenly spotted a tiny oasis of a puddle and signaled for the pack to make a rapid descent. Splashing and frolicking, like men drink from imported wine, they didn't notice a rumble on the earth gradually increasing from the far side of the park moving towards them.

They barely made it out alive.

With a splat (splash) of mud and water, they scattered back up to the less dangerous atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen as a pair of dust clouds zoomed past by. The puddle, thus no more. Few, in their fright, had managed to relieve themselves in midair, though luckily none fell at the passing pair, a blur of swishing pants and bouncing hair.

"If we're late, you're dead," Hisoka yelled through the noise they made as they weave in and out of the crowded streets. He accidentally hit a protruding cane and almost toppled the grannie leaning on it. Luckily, she didn't and that he was in his invisible form, or otherwise.

"I didn't ask you to tag along," Tsuzuki shouted back, nearly colliding in a lamppost in his haste.

"I suppose that's how to thank your partner for being concerned at his almost 8th tardy for the month." Hisoka retorted. "What the hell were you doing back there?"

"None of your damn business," Tsuzuki answered pointedly.

"Oh sure. Right. Tell that to Tatsumi when we get there. Im you damn partner!" Hisoka snapped. He suddenly spotted something unusual hanging in Tsuzuki's shirt (hmm makes you wonder). "You have a flower on your shirt." He pointed out. (for some strange reason, it clung amidst the marathon). Tsuzuki glanced down at his partly buttoned shirt and quickly swiped it away.

"Were you on a date?" Hisoka asked, interest piped. He began to slow down.

"No," as the denial. (Well you can't consider "sleeping in" as a date right?)

"Liar!" Hisoka taunted. "I heard someone in your room."

"You're imagining things." Tsuzuki fibbed, sprinting faster to avoid further questioning. Hisoka rushed to catch up and stared at him in a puzzled way. "So why did you slam the door?"

"I was not..err...wearing the proper attire.." Tsuzuki began lamely

"You answer your door without clothes?" Hisoka looked at him incredulously.

"Will you just leave it!" Tsuzuki said hotly. "Its already 8:35!"

Sheesh. Touché. Hisoka sulkily shut up. The Enma-chou building soon came into view. Both picked up the pace and dashed forward. A sign greeted them.

"Punch Time ID Machine is under repair. Please sign in the time you arrived at the log book provided. Sorry for the inconvience."

Hisoka stared at the announcement, agape while Tsuzuki mischievously wrote 8:30 on the time arrived on both of their names. "There! Happy?"

Hisoka watched in annoyance Tsuzuki rapidly jotting down notes while murmuring and cursing to himself.

What's his problem? It's not like he's in trouble, I'm suppose to be the one complaining. I was just trying to helpful and what thanks does he give me? Lay off and mind your own business. The nerve!

He flung his paper in frustration. Something else was bothering him. That voice in Tsuzuki's room. The denial and the petals on the floor when Tsuzuki went out. He barely had time to react when Tsuzuki suddenly burst out from his apartment door. He swore he saw a hand behind Tsuzuki. Who else would have closed the door?

Tsuzuki is lying. Why would he do that? I'm his goddamn partner! If he wants the hard way, I could just reach out and grab that information. It so easy. Just an arm's reach away...What am I saying? Hisoka shook his head. Am I actually betraying his trust with mere coincidence? After all, its his personal life. If he's ready, I'm sure he'll tell me.

Hisoka looked back at Tsuzuki staring at his pen for the last ten minutes, trying hard not to smile. He bit back his lips. It's not like I want to know. It's just a matter of misunderstanding...yeah. There's nothing wrong. And if ever I was right and that he had a lover, its not like I care... Hisoka wave off the weird feeling and began to focus on his files in front of him.

Tsuzuki glanced at Hisoka mulling and felt a sweat graze his forehead. Did he find out? How am I going to explain this? What the hell am I suppose to do? Tsuzuki panicked. I need a break. Yes, Tatsumi mentioned I could have one...but, Tsuzuki remember with miserably, only when I finished this damn papers... Tsuzuki groaned in frustration, scratching his temples. Maybe I can bargain with him. Tsuzuki started to rise up when he heard the door burst open.

Watari gleefully brought with him one of his wacky inventions. This time it's a black box with a pair of pointers sticking out and giving a bizarre wheezing sound. Both looked at the apparatus apprehensively not wishing to ask what it was. Unfortunately, Watari announced it for them.

"It's a stress detector. I had this around for quite some time but haven't decided on what to do with it. Since you're all here, I might as well put this to good use. Now, which one of you wants to try?" Watari looked at the two eagerly. Tsuzuki tried to make a pass as he slip towards the door. The device shrilled loudly.

"Oh, stressed are you?" Watari wagged a finger at him. "That decides it. You're first." He grabbed the resisting Tsuzuki with an amazingly firm grip and plop him down in the sofa. Tsuzuki bowed in defeat. Watari began pressing a series of buttons and the gizmo suddenly popped out a scroll and a needle point with a pair of plugs to match. Hisoka looked with interest. Watari proudly held it. "A lie detector," he announced. "Its like the ordinary yes or no device, plus it tells you whats the problem."

Tsuzuki stared at the contraption, this time with fear. Watari, unaware at the rapid change of color of his unwilling patient, happily strap his little finger with suction. Hisoka watched him intensely. Tsuzuki felt the ceiling closed on upon him before he saw darkness.

Reichkun's comment: Final exams are coming up so next chap will be really...ah...delayed. But not to worry, after that its sem break so I'll try to whip up something as soon as possible. Reviews anyone?