Writers note: Well, gentle readers this is it. I have teased you long enough. This is the chapter where it all hits the fan. It's a dozy, but I didn't want to cut it.
A word about the content: The chapter is rated M for violence, sexuality and a NCS scene. My sincere apologies to anyone who this may offend.
Chapter 14 – Spirited away
Hisoka rolled over and sighed contently. He was in Tsuzuki's bed. Usually his partner would be right next to him, either sleeping or trying to touch him. But not today. Today was no typical day. Tsuzuki was up and out before ten o'clock. He made some breakfast for Hisoka with a note saying, "I love you. See you when I get back."
First was the leasing office. In thirty minutes after signing what must have been every form imaginable, Tsuzuki was given the key to their new place. He was tempted to sprout inu ears and tail on the spot, he was so happy. But he held himself in check. Barely. As he walked out of the office he leapt up in the air, and ran nonstop to his next destination.
The obachan at the used book store scowled at him when she saw him. But nothing could bring Tsuzuki down from the cloud of bliss he found himself on.
"I'm here to get that book." Tsuzuki smiled, pointing to edition of Les Miserables under the glass counter.
"Huh!" she scoffed at him. "The price hasn't gone down since last time you asked."
"I know. I have the money." Tsuzuki replied.
"Impossible." She snapped. "A Baka like you! I don't believe it.!"
"Believe it." Tsuzuki smiled again. He put the full amount plus extra on the table in triumph. "I want that book, and I want it gift wrapped."
She looked at him like he had two heads. "You're kidding."
Tsuzuki shook his head.
"But we don't have any wrapping paper!" she cried.
"Well I can wrap it myself, then." The shinigami replied.
"Never!" she said. "I'll not have you touch such a precious thing, if I have choice. You take a seat there, and I'll go get some."
She left Tsuzuki there, and locked the door behind her. She turned the shop sign to closed, and walked down the street, cursing all the way. Tsuzuki laughed aloud at her barrage. Nothing could dampen his mood.
When she came back, she was still grumbling under her breath. She had a bag full of several different wrapping papers sticking out and gift boxes. With much disgust she opened her bag and took out a gift box.
"Wait." Tsuzuki said. She paused and glared at him.
"Put this in it so it will fall out when its opened." Tsuzuki said. He handed her the house key to the new apartment.
She rolled her eyes and nodded, taking the key. She took the book out of the case and laid it on the counter top. She put the key inside and wrapped the book in tissue paper as someone would to a sacred relic.
"You know." She said bitterly. "There are many other selections that you might find better."
"No. It has to be that one." Tsuzuki replied.
"But I can find you a more modern edition! Something newer, not so old." She insisted.
"Oh no, it has to be that one."
"Alright." She sighed, defeated. "It's just that someone has been looking at this book for a long time. He'll be disappointed when he sees its not here. Not that you care."
"Tell me about him." Even the obachans' bitterness amused Tsuzuki this morning.
"He's a quiet young man." She said. Tsuzuki could have sworn that her eyes got almost misty eyed. "He always looks at that book if he's here. He has exceptional taste. Always reading the classics, you don't find many young people who do that anymore. No, it's only what the latest or what's hip and new. But not this young man. He appreciates things of a deeper value. I wish there were more youth like that."
"What does he look like?" Tsuzuki asked, knowing full well who she was speaking of.
"He has green eyes. Emerald eyes." She said. "Blonde hair."
"I think I know who you're talking about, now." Tsuzuki smiled.
"Yes. Well, he'll be very disappointed when he sees this book was sold, and to the likes of you!"
"I don't think he will be." Tsuzuki interjected. "Because I'm going to give it to him this morning."
"What?" You are?" she said, her mouth agape.
Tsuzuki nodded. Then to his amazement the obachan gave him a huge grin. She had several teeth missing, but its sincerity couldn't be doubted.
"Well, I can't wrap it in this rot!" She exclaimed, tossing the wrapping paper aside. She scampered to the back room faster than he would have thought possible. She came out with a leather bound box.
"I'll put it in this. "She explained. "See how its velvet lined. See the quality. Oh you won't find anything like this at any cheap department store, I'll tell you that. I kept this just in case that young man ever was able to get the funds for it. I always take care of my good customers."
Tsuzuki couldn't believe the change in attitude. She was like a totally different person. As she packed it, she even put a brass book mark in there, free of charge. Then she handed it to Tsuzuki and smiled.
"Thank you, and come again!" she beamed.
Tsuzuki ran back to his apartment as fast as he could.
_________________________________________
Tsuzuki was glad that Hisoka was still sleeping when he got home. It would soon be time for lunch, so he picked up a bento on the way home. He threw away the note and breakfast, and disrobed. He climbed into his bed with his partner, and got under the blankets.
Tsuzuki started with a gentle stroking of his partners chest up and down. Then he slyly did one button, then the next and the next. With each one more of his partner's white skin was exposed, and Tsuzuki could feel himself becoming aroused. Hisoka shifted in his slumber, which Tsuzuki found even more adorable because it exposed a nipple. He couldn't resist. He put his tongue out and barely grazed it.
"Mmph." Hisoka moaned.
"Soka-chan." Tsuzuki whispered. His voice was husky.
"Mmm?" his partner murmured. Tsuzuki kissed the empath's sternum, and ran his tongue along his skin.
"Baka." Hisoka laughed a little. Tsuzuki spouted his tail when he heard his partner laugh. It was so rare to hear, but Tsuzuki thought it was the most beautiful sound in the universe. He felt the oni in him writhe in pleasure at the sound.
"I'm trying to get a little more sleep." Hisoka stated. "Tatsumi isn't going to be in the office today, and I'm so tired."
"Kurosaki-kun!" Tsuzuki teased. "And to think I was the one he was worried about taking advantage of his absence!"
"You're still going to get blamed, so I thought I'd help myself to a little more rest. I can always say it's your fault."
"Soka-Chan!" Tsuzuki laughed. "Shame on you I'm going to tell Tatsumi-san!"
"He won't believe you." Hisoka said. Tsuzuki could hear the smirk in his voice. "I'm the responsible one, remember?"
"Then I'll punish you myself, boy!" And Tsuzuki fell upon Hisoka's exposed nipple. He sucked and ran his tongue all over it. Hisoka gasped and squirmed in excitement. Tsuzuki slipped a practiced hand down the front of Hisoka's pajama pants. He felt Hisoka's hardness, and the soft scrotum underneath. Tsuzuki felt for that secret sweet spot, and found it. Hisoka bucked beneath him upon contact with it.
*Oh you like that!* Tsu sent
*Of course I like it!* Hisoka sent back.
*Your wet you know.*
*Well I was dreaming about us.*
*Do you want that dream to come true?*
*We can give it a shot.* Hisoka wrapped his legs around his partner's body. Tsuzuki forgot how fast his reflexes were with his kendo training.
Tsuzuki threw off the cover and took Hisoka in his arms. He kissed him deeply and their tongues teased each other.
"You're already naked!* Hisoka sent. He felt Tsuzuki smile against his lips.
*I came prepared.* Tsuzuki teased.
With his agile fingers, Tsuzuki slid off his partner's pajamas. Tsuzuki kissed his chest, enjoying Hisoka's taste. He played with his nipples, flicking them with his tongue, and giving a soft nibble. All the while he stroked Hisoka in that spot that was for him alone. Desire grew and his partner whimpered in want. Tsuzuki stroked more, and Hisoka's juices flowed. Then Tsuzuki eased his partner over on his stomach. Tsuzuki kissed the small of Hisoka's back, and then lower to the tail bone. He ran his hands over Hisoka's rear, and brought it up to him in urgent need. Tsuzuki breathed heavy. He murmured how much he loved he as he entered him. Hisoka whimpered again, and bit his lip lest the neighbors hear him cry out. Tsuzuki gently thrust into him, delighting in the feeling of his Hisoka tightly around him. He thrust softly and at a medium pace. Then he quickened and pushed harder. Hisoka writhed and panted. He rocked his hips back to meet the motion. Seeing his partner wanted more, Tsuzuki gave more.
Tsuzuki reached down and fondled his partner as he did when they began. And as it began, so it ended as Hisoka shuttered, gushing into those long fingers. Tsuzuki pressed now and he was at his deepest. The tightness was all around him and groaned. He closed his eyes as he felt himself go over the edge. Then the held his partner in a loving embrace, kissing him for many minutes, his mouth exploring him.
"Be careful, or we might start again." Hisoka teased.
"Maybe I don't want to be careful." Tsuzuki teased back.
"You're in a good mood today."
Tsuzuki smiled. Again, Hisoka felt his lips curl against his own.
*I have something for you.* Tsuzuki sent.
Tsuzuki got off the bed and brought the box back to him. He pounced on the bed and his inu tail and ears were poking out of his naked body.
"Here! Here!" he said, puppy like. "I got you a present! Open it!"
Hisoka looked at him in puzzlement.
"But it's not my birthday. And it's not valentines, or Christmas." Hisoka said.
"It doesn't matter! Open it! Open it!"
"Okay."
Hisoka slid the box lid off and gasped as he moved the tissue paper. His face was full of astonishment. Tsuzuki loved the way it played on his delicate features.
"Oh my god! Tsu! Do you know what this is?"
"That's the book you wanted."
"Tsu, do you know how expensive this is? I've been looking at forever! Where did you get the money?"
"From the case. Open it."
Hisoka lifted it out of a box and something silver fell out. He picked it up and saw it was a house key.
*Tsu, is this?*
*it is.*
Hisoka looked up into his partner's face. His eyes were trembling with tears, but they were from sorrow, pain, fear or loss. Tsuzuki had seen those tears once, as the fires of the tern snake reflected in their watery surface.
*Tsu!* Hisoka sent as the threw himself into his partner's arms. Their lips found each other.
*I love you!* Hisoka sent. The emotion that accompanied it could not be mistaken.
It was joy.
___________________________________________
Tsuzuki and Hisoka were not the only shinigami lovers enjoying the absence of their office manager. Katie-Chan and Randall-kun had also spent the morning in each other's arms, ignoring work completely. Bert had left to go report to an assignment he could not disclose as soon as they arrived in Tokyo the previous day. So that afternoon, Katie was led by Randall to a large building in the center of Tokyo. It was an upscale apartment building, the type only executives could afford. She noticed when they came in that Randall was already on good terms with the front desk crew and the guard. They stepped into the lift, and she saw that the pressed the penthouse button.
*No. you're kidding. *She said unbelieving.
Randall turned and smiled at her.
When they got to the penthouse and opened the door, Katie clapped her hands together. If she could have squealed in delight she would have. It was still empty mostly as no furniture had been bought, but the place was immense. It had a huge kitchen that Randall had taken the liberty of stocking. But the best part was when he bound forward and pulled the large curtain that covered one wall. It revealed a patio overlooking the city, and in the middle of it was a small but deep pool.
*Randall, there's a pool! I don't believe it!*
"Take a look what's in the pool, my little savage." Randall smiled again.
She saw something splashing.
*Randall. You didn't. Oh my god you didn't!*
She ran out to the pool and saw that it had fish in it.
"I couldn't get salmon, there wasn't enough room. But I thought these were-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence. She tackled him to the ground.
*This is awesome! I can't believe this! I can actually fish here! And it's so high up, no one can see me! I'm gonna try it right now.*
She tore her clothes off and transformed. In her bear form, she dove head first into the pool, splashing her fiancé. He saw her big form turning around twice in the pool and then she came forth with a fish wiggling in her jaws. Her blue eyes shone with glee.
Randall burst out laughing at this. He loved laughing. Where he came from, there had been no laughter despite his world's breathtaking beauty. Laughter was the sound of the "under dwellers". That was what his people called humans. It was the sound of laughter that first captured his attention. And he loved Katie for her honesty and frankness, and that she had been the first one to make him laugh. Something he had thought impossible.
Life is too short, not to laugh. He thought.
_______________________________________________
It was mid morning when Watari and Tatsumi arrived in Osaka. Watari traced the call from his hacked iphone to a small restaurant. But when they arrived, there was no trace of Rhodes. However the hostess seemed to be expecting them.
"Sumimasen." She bowed. "But were you looking for that American friend of yours?"
Tatsumi's eyes narrowed but Watari lost no time.
"Yes, we are." Watari said. "Did he say where he was going?"
"No." the hostess replied. "But he said to give this to you when you got here." She slid the scientist an envelope. Watari tore it open. Inside was a brochure to the Kaiyukan Aquarium.
"He's playing with us." Tatsumi glowered, gritting his teeth.
"And unfortunately we have no other option but to play along." Watari said.
_____________________________
After another enthusiastic romp, Hisoka and Tsuzuki slept leaning against each other. It was early afternoon.
Hisoka felt something reach out to his mind. It felt like someone was brushing against him with all the gentleness of a feather brushing against his skin. It was a soothing touch and he sighed as he relaxed into it. His dreams were of gentle things. Of trees, and mountain clearings where the birds warbled. There was that gentle touch again. In his dream, he felt himself being caressed on his sides by soft feathers. He felt someone come to his back and their skin was warm. Tsuzuki's face appeared above him and his eyes were glowing like candles.
"Kotori-chan." The oni murmured. He brought Hisoka's chin up and kissed him. Hisoka could feel the heat of his touch expand across his lips. The oni's feathered wings gently brushed up each side of him as if he were a painter, and he was brushing ink on rice paper.
"I heard what you said on the mountain." The oni whispered. "I saw you when you were in battle. You were fierce and direct. I had never seen you so beautiful."
Hisoka blushed. "Earlier, how much was you and how much was the human side?"
"Does it matter? Were the same person, as much as we are not."
"Is this a dream?"
"It is and it isn't." the oni replied. "You should know as a empath, one world usually blends into the other."
Hisoka woke up. The afternoon sun filled Tsuzuki's room, and his partner shifted on the bed, laughing in his sleep. Hisoka smiled slightly, and turned. He saw something on his pillow.
It was a single black feather. Hisoka looked at it in wonder, and thought about the oni's words regarding the worlds blending. It seemed like they were doing just that. He sat up and took it in his fingers. He spun it around examining the unearthly sheen it gave off.
"Soka-chan," Tsuzuki said in his sleep. "Let's get Cinnibon."
Hisoka shook his head with a little laugh. Then kissed his lover on the forehead. He then took the oni's feather and reverently put it inside the copy of Les Miserables. Then he got dressed.
He wrote something down on a piece of paper and left it for Tsuzuki to see. The note read:
Gone to request some days off from the Chief for our move.
Then going to go pack a little. I'll be back before six.
Do you want to go get a cinnibon when I get back?
- Hisoka
He shut the door gently behind him.
__________________________________
Myers-san was no stranger to boredom. Boredom had been his constant companion in cell block three. Boredom found him again as he sat in a cheap hotel room. He went the coordinates and was very surprised where he was. Still orders were orders. And he sat there waiting for more. One hour passed to another, and boredom gave way to regret as memories came forth.
"Screw this." Myers-san said to himself. He'd take the cell with him, they could call. He stopped a gift shop and bought a teddy bear for his daughter. The shopkeeper laughed a little to herself to see such a gruff gaijin buy a teddy bear. He had it gift wrapped and texted Randall to get their new address.
The reply was quick. Along with that was the question.
Randall: Another bear?
Bert smiled. "yep." he texted.
The teddy bear thing had developed as sort of a inside joke between the three Americans. On the first assignment in some god damn location, Myers-san had been incredibly lonely. He couldn't stop thinking of his daughter, and even missed her grumpiness when the transformation took hold of her. Then he happened to pass by a shop displaying a blue eyed teddy bear in the window. He bought it right away and sent it back to the American office to Katie. From this a collection had started, as every time he was called away by his supervisors, he would send her one.
Likewise whenever he would knit her something, it had a bear on it. He started using the nickname BB-though when exactly he did, he couldn't recall. It was easier he thought to do these things, than to tell her who he was.
Myers-san thought about the assignments he was sent on. Usually there were to the occasional demon out that had journeyed too far into the human realm. At least that was the reason given to him as to why they had been targeted for elimination. He was ordered to ask no questions, but eliminate the target. And without remorse, he did what he was told. It was not a soldier's place to ask questions, or to feel for the enemy.
*So why the hell didn't I send a report on what I saw in Hokkaido? Why did I hesitate?* he asked himself.
Myers-san thought back to when he took the assignment to watch Asato Tsuzuki. Myers-san demanded to know who exactly he was working for, some proof. After all, to watch on another shinigami was highly irregular. The next day a hand written letter came to him from king of Hades demanding compliance. Nothing more had to be said.
But king of Hades or not, Myers-san had free will, and used it often. This tendency for disobedience was one thing he and Randall had in common. They were both outcasts and from this they became friends, eventually.
"I really need to stop reminiscing." Myers-san said to himself when dropped the box in the post box. Then he froze as a smell caught his attention.
Rhodes thought about the fun he was about to have with Watari and Tatsumi. Rhodes watched the entrance to the aquarium for his quarry to arrive; looking out from the Ferris wheel car as it spun around. He loved watching people jump through hoops when they were fools enough to be misled. He couldn't believe how he had tricked Myers into thinking he was working for the King of Hades. Of course, as Jenni had stated, the letter was the best piece of forging he had ever done. He smiled smugly to himself.
He laughed around when he saw the tell tale blonde hair. Even from this high up, Watari was easy to spot.
_________________________________________
Tatsumi and Watari entered the aquarium. They scanned the crowds for any sign of Rhodes and they saw nothing. The place was very crowded, and it was difficult to move. Tatsumi was concerned by this, for it was like this when Rhodes had eluded them in Sapporo.
"Have you thought about what your recommendation will be?" Watari asked.
"Hmm?" Tatsumi said.
"For the Soteicho situation." Watari replied.
"I haven't had a chance to give it proper thought." Tatsumi annoyed. "But I suppose dismissal is in order."
"Siechirro, show some pity." Watari replied. "Rhodes is an expert at what he does, look at his track record. Hanako-Chan didn't have a chance."
"That doesn't change what she did." Tatsumi said matter-of-factly. "She knew what she was doing, and chose to do it anyway. Such an action demands retribution."
Watari didn't say anything. He knew no one could persuade Tatsumi on some matters, not even him.
"Still, I don't know anyone else who can work with Yukiko or Tsukiko, so I must consider that."
Watari smiled slightly at this. He knew that Tatsumi could not show weakness at the office on this issue. After all if word got around that Tatsumi had gotten soft, no work would ever be done efficiency or on time at the Emmocho again.
They had reached the whale shark exhibit which was the heart of the aquarium. On both sides they were surrounded by what looked like walls of water in which enormous manta rays and whale sharks.
"Its too bad Yu-Chan died." Watari said. "For a whale shark, she was very kawaii. Always brought a big crowd."
"You've been here before?" Tatsumi asked.
"Of course. Occasionally I would come and read up on some of their aquatic research here. Relaxing stuff."
Tatsumi laughed to himself. Only Watari would find research relaxing.
"Tatsumi!" Watari whispered tensely. He was looking at the place where the glass wall bent around a corner and you could see to the other side. There was the American Rhodes, waving at them with the smuggest look on his face.
"There is he is!" Tatsumi hissed, and tried to push through the crowd. He heard Watari apologizing profusely as they tried push through the people. But Tatsumi didn't waste time apologizing. He had his target in sight, and he didn't want to lose it again. He saw the American casually walk to the exit, making sure they saw him, and closed the door. They fought the crowd, until at last they reached it. Tatsumi flung open the door and ran smack into someone, knocking himself and them to the ground. Tatsumi grabbed hold of the person and yanked him to him.
"God damn! Tatsumi!" Rhodes snarled. "What the hell!"
"Myers-san!"Tatsumi said. "What are you doing here?"
"My boss sent me here." Myers-san stated. "I caught that bastard's smell, and I followed it here. I thought I saw him go in there."
"Will a Myers-san please come to the front desk." The announcer said over the loud speaker. "Will a Myers-san please report to the front desk?"
"Well that was fast," Watari stated. "What did you do?"
"Not a damn thing." Mumbled Bert.
They went to the front desk and the clerk smiled at him.
"You must be Myers-san. Your friend said you were American. He said to give this to you." She slid him an envelope. He opened it with Tatsumi and Watari looking over his shoulder. It was a brochure to Osaka castle.
"Damn him." Tatsumi cursed.
"We can catch the train there." Watari said. "Let's go."
_______________________________
Terazuma had a very good day. There was no one in the office, other than he and Wakaba. He liked it that way. Tatsumi and Watari were on some assignment some place, so he didn't have to worry about anyone looking over his shoulder. Hisoka and Tsuzuki were also out today, and Terazuma guessed as to why. He shrugged. As long as he didn't have to mess with Tsuzuki, he was fine with it. Likewise, Randall-kun and Katie-Chan were also out, probably doing the same thing.
Now Terazuma felt the pang of envy reach him. Damn he envied that blonde American. Not because he wanted Katie, but because Randall-kun could do what was now denied him forever. He could have sex. Bastard, he cursed internally. For Terazuma, the slightest touch of female flesh triggered his transformation. So he was damned to be celibate. He certainly decided he wasn't going to go the other way, regardless of what rumors were floating around since the archery tournament.
Terazuma did miss Myers-san though. He was hoping that perhaps they could go the range today, but Myers-san had been called out on some assignment as well. So he and Wakaba got to spend all day together, uninterrupted. She prattled on and on about this or that, he really didn't pay attention. Sometimes it was about this recipe she had read about, or some rumor that Hanako was in some trouble.
*Whatever it is, it serves her right.* He thought glumly.
The chief left early. Since there was now no one to forbid him, he decided to call it a day as well. He started to get is stuff to leave.
"Uhm, Terazuma-kun." Wakaba asked. "Do you think you could walk me home tonight?"
"Wha?" Terazuma asked, shocked.
"I don't know. I just got a really bad feeling. I don't want to be alone." Wakaba said. "It's probably just me being silly, but I'm afraid if I go home alone I might have nightmares. You can sleep on the couch."
"Wha?" Terazuma said. "What would people think if they found out?"
She could have said that the entire office knew intercourse was an impossibility for him. He knew that, but she didn't give that reason.
"But there's no one here today. I'll bake you that coconut cake I've been looking at in Woman's Home Journal." She replied.
"Well…"
"Please." She said. "I'd just feel better if I had a man there. You know, to protect me in case anything does happen."
Open flattery of his masculinity hardly ever happened to Terazuma. A lunar eclipse was a more common event. His transformation had made him the source of ridicule. His man hood was doubted and became the butt of many a joke. So of course he said:
"Well, alright." Terazuma said. "But I want salmon steaks too."
"Arrigato!" she smiled, clasping her hands together.
_______________________________________
The chief was gone by the time Hisoka arrived. There was no one there. Hisoka filled out the paperwork requesting the days off. He signed with both Tsuzuki's and his own name and slid them the chief's door. Hisoka was hoping the old man would be in. If there was anyone who could answer some questions about the oni within Tsuzuki, it would be Konoe.
*Well, it's probably better I not say anything at all. If I did, he might get suspicious and then it would to obvious that I didn't tell Tatsumi everything.* Hisoka thought.
Hisoka sighed and left.
______________________
Hisoka didn't go shopping that much. He didn't really know which stores sold the best of what, so he went to the department store that was closest. He wandered around a bit in the gift section. He wanted to get Tsuzuki something to show his gratitude for such a wonderful present. He was tempted to take him to that cinnibon place for one of their sickly sweet treats. But Hisoka knew his partner would just gobble it up and be hungry later. No, Hisoka wanted to get Tsuzuki something more permanent.
He then thought about the other gift he had been given: the oni feather. It was a simple gift, but the emotions of tenderness and devotion were obvious. Hisoka felt he wanted to give him something as well. But what to give a supernatural being? He didn't know. So he wandered the gift section, hoping something might come to him.
He wasn't thinking of anything in particular when he found himself in the girl stationary section by accident. He started walking out when his eyes caught sight of the most ridiculous exchange diary. It had goofy dogs on it, and they reminded Hisoka of his lover's inu ears.
Then he stopped.
For all his existence, Tsuzuki had been at war with himself. And yet those two sides- the oni and the human- had never communicated openly with each other. Hisoka thought about how the two Tsuzuki's were different, but also what they had in common: him.
*I know Tzu has tried ignoring the whole thing, but that hasn't helped him. it's made the whole situation worse. So that can't be the solution.*
*Maybe they can work out something between themselves,* Hisoka thought. *Maybe become more of one mind and less fractured. Or at the least, not at open war with each other. And the first step in a cease fire is to get the sides to talk to each other.*
Hisoka bought the exchange diary.
On the way home, he stopped by a moving center and picked up some tape and three empty boxes. It wasn't much, but it would be a start. When he got home, Hisoka noticed the door to his house didn't stick at all. Tsuzuki had complained about it sticking, but now it opened easily for Hisoka. He put in his packages and closed the door.
The second he shut the door, darkness descended upon him. His empathy screamed at him to get out as soon as possible. He felt a horrible darkness there; it was Muraki and someone else. Webs shot out over the door and over the windows. Hisoka grabbed the doorknob and fought with the door. He heard something and turned to see his furniture flying at him. He jumped out of the way with barely enough time. It crashed against the door, barricading him in.
His memory stirred. Where had he seen this before? His furniture had moved on its own like this before, he knew it. But when he couldn't recall when. But it didn't matter. His thoughts were towards flight. He teleported and felt himself changing from one place to another.
"Not this time." A female voice hissed. He knew this voice but from where? Hisoka felt something wrap around his legs and pulled him back into the room. He felt like he had been hit by a Mac truck. He had no idea that being pulled out of teleport could be so painful. He tottered when he found himself back in his house. Someone grabbed hold of him in a vice like grip. Hisoka felt his blood turn to ice as he registered it was Muraki.
"Finally you're back in my arms, poppet." The cold voice said.
"NO!" Hisoka screamed, trying to pull away. He cried out with his mind will all the force of his will.
*TSUZUKI! TASKATE!*
And a horrible woman's laugh sounded in his mind.
*Yes! Scream for him! We want to hear you squeal, rabbit!*
Hisoka's eyes went wide and he recoiled as from the filth he felt in his mind.
*Who are you?* He demanded.
*Oh let me show you who I Am.* Jenni spoke to him. And with a thought, she removed the psychic block she had placed on him. Hisoka felt the memories flood forward into his mind, the horrible nightmares and the rooms of room 49.
"I promised you, this would be real, poppet." Muraki whispered in his ear. "Now I will show you how real it is."
Hisoka felt the doctor forcing him to the floor. Hisoka struggled and panic gave him new strength. He saw Muraki's eyes grow wide with lust. The empath hit him with a psychic wave, that would have pushed a normal person back, but it only made his assailant smirk. He felt another set inhuman hands hold him down. Hisoka noticed he was starting to tremble uncontrollably. Then he felt Muraki straddle him and Hisoka froze in panic. He started hyperventilating. Muraki grabbed Hisoka's collar and tore his shirt open. He stripped the shinigami as easily as he did that night under the sakura tree.
"Don't you dare!" Hisoka shrieked, feeling his nakedness. "Don't you dare!"
The doctor laughed to himself slightly at the empath's defiance. Hisoka felt tears fill his eyes and started rolling down his face. Muraki was undoing his belt. Another wave of panic seized the empath and the squirmed writhing like a rabbit in a snare. He screamed, he felt his heart beating so hard that it felt like it would explode. And still he was held down but the two of them. He felt Muraki shifting on top of him.
"You're mine." The doctor whispered.
And what Tsuzuki had been so gentle with; what the oni had fought to protect; Muraki claimed, tearing him as he entered. Hisoka shrieked at the top of his lungs, and with all the force of his mind. He heard his own cries bounced back as Jenni laughed over them. Hisoka turned his face and closed his eyes.
*I'm not here. I'm not here. I'm not here.* He chanted internally.
*But you are here, rabbit.* Jenni spoke into his mind.* You belong to us now.*
Hisoka thirteen years old again, helpless and powerless. The attack became frenzied in pitch, and crescendoed to a horrific climax. When it was over, Hisoka continued to weep. He had never felt so defeated or lost. Muraki and Jenni both looked down on him, and stroked his face, almost gently. It was a sickening farce.
"I hate you! I hate you both!" Hisoka snarled at them through his tears.
They chuckled at this.
Muraki traced the outside of Hisoka's mouth. Hisoka saw his opportunity and took it. He bit into Muraki's hand with all his hate. But Muraki made no attempt to move his hand away. Blood filled Hisoka's mouth, and ran over his nostrils. He felt like he would drown. He released his assailant's hand and coughed up the blood, gasping for air.
"Pathetic." Jenni scoffed. "Now it's time."
Jenni grabbed hold of him and pulled him to her lips. He pushed away from her, as she violently kissed him. He felt her force his way into his mind. Like a virus she took him over.
Suddenly Hisoka found himself in the cell his parents had used. He was a child again. He saw the door to the cell shut. He ran towards the opening and threw himself against it. He shook the cage with all his might. But he was so weak, weaker than the thought possible. It would not budge.
"Tsuzuki! Taskate!"
And then he saw Jenni Hiru on the other side of the bars.
"You can call all you want, rabbit. But he won't hear you. Your body is mine to command. You are to stay here until we decide to play with you again."
She disappeared from sight, leaving him in the darkness, imprisoned in his own mind.
And without comfort, Hisoka wept.
Hisoka and Muraki now only appeared in the room. Jenni had disappeared into the empath's body completely. Hisoka stood up, a little wobbly at first, but he had a new strength in him that was not his own. His eyes darkened to dark green and finally to brown. Muraki put his blazer over Hisoka's shoulders, covering his nakedness.
But it was not Hisoka. Not anymore. When he spoke it was with Jenni's voice.
"We have work to do." She hissed.
________________________________________
Tsuzuki woke up with a start.
"Soka-Chan!" he screamed.
There was no response. He looked over saw the bed was empty next to him. He had a horrible feeling. He had heard nothing either with his ears or in his mind and yet there was a horrible dread in his stomach. He knew Hisoka was deeply hurt. He didn't know why he knew this, but he was sure of it.
*Soka-Chan!* He sent. Again there was no reply. He felt the oni trashing inside of him like a wild horse.
'You fool!" The oni screamed." Find him! Find him! He's hurt! Our mate is hurt!"
Trembling, Tsuzuki ran to the living room.
"Soka! God damn it! Answer me!" he cried.
He found the note Hisoka left. Tsuzuki thought of his partner's house, and teleported.
He found himself on front step. He had not appeared on the inside as he planned. Something had blocked him from entering. He grabbed hold of the knob and his flesh started burning. Webs appeared on the door. Tsuzuki saw they ran from the door to the windows, over the roof, the walls, and even the area underneath. The purple webs seemed to stink like a rotting corpse.
"This is evil sorcery, but nothing like what I've seen." Tsuzuki said. He kicked on the door, as he felt the oni surge it's strength into him. But it bounced back. Hordes of spiders appeared and ran all over the webs, over whelming the house in a living wave.
"Soka! Soka!" Tsuzuki screamed. Silence answered him.
*What do I do? If I get bit and pass out from the poison, I can't help Hisoka.* he thought.
He looked at the door and noticed that the web was in fact made of lines of symbols written over and over in script almost too small to see. A realization came over him.
*If this is evil, I need holy magic. I need a priestess. I need Wakaba.*
__________________________________________________
"Yea! It's done!" Wakaba smiled as she looked in the oven. Most Japanese apartments did not come with a real oven. But she loved baking so much, she saved and finally got one herself. It was expensive, but worth every yen. She felt like she was working magic when she cooked, and it was a magic that seemed just a potent as her training as a priestess. It made people smile and feel good, and she liked that.
"I know it sounds old fashioned," Wakaba said. "But I never get tired of baking for people I care about. I guess that means I'm not a modern woman."
"You wouldn't be my partner if you were." Terazuma said as he shoved a piece of salmon in his mouth. "Like that Katie-chan. What girl where's pants that much? And I've never even heard her mention cooking or housecleaning. What kind of girl is that?"
"Well one that Randall-kun likes apparently. I'll have to let that cool before I can ice it." She put the cake on a cooling rack, and turned a little fan she had in the kitchen so the cake could cool faster. "You know Yukiko asked him out and he turned her down."
"Ha!" Terazuma laughed. "Really! Tell me more!"
"Well she was really upset from what I heard. First time she's been turned down."
"Humph." Terazuma said. "Well I guess that brought her down a notch. Good for him. Well I guess he likes the tomboy type."
"Hey, how thick do you want the icing?" Wakaba asked, coming out of the question with a bowl stirring the icing. "And how much coconut?"
Suddenly Tsuzuki teleported in front of her.
"Wakaba!" he said as he grabbed her, so suddenly the bowl when crashing to the floor.
"Hey, get your hands off my partner, you-"but Terazuma stopped his yelling when he saw Tsuzuki's face. He had no liking for the shinigami, but even terazuma's heart was not without pity. He had never seen Tsuzuki look so distraught. His eyes were wide, and there was something almost like madness across his features.
"Wakaba! I need you! Hisoka is trapped!" Tsuzuki said. "He's hurt, and I need your help to get to him!"
"Okay." Wakaba, taken aback by Tsuzuki's condition. "Let me turn off the oven."
"No time." Tsuzuki insisted. "Terazuma, meet us at Hisoka's house."
"Wait! Hold on!" Terazuma protested. But Tsuzuki didn't seem to hear him. He took hold of the priestess hand and they disappeared.
"Damn it!" Terazuma cursed. He turned the oven off and teleported after them.
_______________________________________
Night was starting to fall by the time the three shinigami reached Osaka castle. The crowds were thinning out, and the shadow of the great castle engulfed the grounds. A feeling of gloom fell over them. Again they saw no sign of Rhodes. But they knew now, that did not mean he was not present.
"I know this is supposed to be one of the most beautiful sights in Japan, but it just seems- ah!" Myers said cried out as the fell to the ground. He was clutching his head.
"Myers-san!" Watari yelled. "What's wrong?"
"It's Katie!" Myers-san gasped. "Oh Christ! She's hurt! I have to get home!"
Suddenly something hit Tatsumi in the back of the head. He cried out in pain, and then looked around for their quarry. But there was still no sign of him. Watari's phone rang.
"Rhodes." Watari said into the phone.
"What?" Rhodes asked into the other end. "No mushi mushi? That's kind of rude, Watari."
"Where are you?" Watari demanded. He hit the speaker button on his phone.
"Look up. Way up."
Watari and Tatsumi looked up to the castle. And there on the very top of the building stood a figure between the two gold koi that crowned the castle. It was Rhodes, talking on his phone.
"You can't get away from three of us." Tatsumi said.
"Didn't you just hear what Myers-san said?" Watari said to his partner. "We have to go back and help Katie-Chan!"
"We can't just let him escape!" Tatsumi replied.
"And we can't let my daughter die!" Myers-san snarled.
"If you three are done squabbling," Rhodes said, interrupting them. "I can tell you now that in a few days time, I'm going to contact you all with a very special offer."
"What offer?" Tatsumi demanded. "For the money back that you stole?"
"No, for the location of something more valuable to you than you think." Rhodes replied. "You'll know soon enough when the time comes. But as for now, I think you might want to listen to Bert there. He's a pain in the ass, to be sure, but he's right. You three should seriously consider heading home right now."
The call was dropped, and all they heard was the tone of the empty line. Then another call rang. Watari saw it said, "Randall Knight" on the caller ID.
"Mushi, Mushi." Watari said.
"Watari!" Randall cried out. Tatsumi and Watari exchanged glances full of dread. They had never heard the American speak like this. He was in a state of panic.
"Watari!" Randall-kun said. "I need for you to get home asap! Something's wrong with Katie!"
"What's going on?" Myers-san demanded.
"Bert- what- She won't wake up!" Randall said.
"What happened?" Myers-san demanded. "And none of that beating around the bush crap!"
"I don't know we were sleeping and when I turned over her eyes were open but she looked like she wasn't seeing anything. I couldn't get her to wake up, no matter what I did!"
Watari suddenly felt nauseous. He knew those symptoms. He knew what they meant. So did Myers-san.
"No! Not again!" Myers cried out. "You damn fool! How could you let this happen! You promised me you'd protect her! What kind of fucking angel are you?!"
Tatsumi looked at Myers-san in shock at this revelation.
"An earth bound one, asshole!" Randall-kun yelled back over the phone, furious.
"Myers-san! Randall-kun! Calm down!" Watari demanded. His mind raced to start to analyze the problem." Neither of you are helping her like this! Randall-kun, take her to the Emmocho infirmary. Meyers and I are on the way back."
Watari hung up the phone. "I'm sorry Seiichiro. I know the money is important, but I have to go back. "
Tatsumi looked up at the roof top. The moon was starting to come out, and Rhodes is gone from sight.
"He's gone." Tatsumi fumed. "Again! Damn that Gaijin!"
Watari's phone rang again. This time the caller ID said Hajime Terazuma. Watari hit the receiver button.
"Mushi, Mushi." Watari said. Dread clutched his stomach.
"Hey, you guys need to get back over here." Terazuma said. His voice was heavy with concern. It made Watari's hair on the back of his neck stand up. "Tsuzuki is freaking out."
"What?" Tatsumi demanded, snapping his head around.
"He came and got Wakaba." Terazuma explained. "She's helping him. We're gonna try to break into Kurosaki's house, right now."
"What?" Tatsumi interrupted. "Why? What happened to Kurosaki-kun?"
"Tsuzuki can't find him or reach him. I've never seen him like this. " Terazuma explained. "And there's something over the kid's house that we need Wakaba's powers as a priestess to break it. It's some type of webbing. She's working on it now- but... I don't think he's in there. Call it detective instinct, but I think... he's been spirited away."
The phone fell from Watari's hand and onto the ground.
"How could I be so stupid?" The scientist said to himself. "How could I be so stupid?"
"What is it?" his partner asked.
"It was a ploy. Rhodes was a ploy, to get us away from campus. All along, she was after Bon."
"We can travel half the distance and we'll be in teleport range." Myers-san said. "I don't care what you all do, but I'm going to help my kid."
"What about your employer?" Tatsumi asked.
"He can go fuck himself." Myers stated. "Katie needs me."
"The train back to Tokyo should be at the station in half an hour." Watari said. "Let's go!"
To be continued…
Note:
Okay the rape scene in this chapter was the hardest to write. I wrote several different versions of it. I knew what was going to happen, but I wasn't sure how to show it. I didn't want a sexual violence play by play, and I did not want to glorify it. So I required people to read between the lines. It may sound odd, but I actually cried while writing it. When I did, I knew I had the scene how it should be.
And yes, Myers-san thinks he's working for the King of Hades. But in fact, the letters have been forged by Rhodes to make him useful to Jenni Hiru. And Myers-san does have the balls to tell the king of Hades himself to fuck off. That's his character. What can I say, I like him for it.
More coming soon…