A/N: I'm seriously neglecting my holiday assignments to do this fic. But,
the show must go on! *author in a triumphant-watari-pose* You guys are
soooo lucky, 'cause for me, when I found a fic I like, I usually have to
wait ages for the authors to upload a new chapter (major hint to Ysabet-san
here....when will you upload 'Ghost in the machine', Kelly wails). Anyways,
major thanks to Ice-Phoenix and Ruby-Tears for faithfully reviewing every
time *sob*.
Warning: Erm... *scratches head* can't think of any
Pairings: As usual, plus, a slight development in the Tats x Watari department!
Disclaimer: *Yawns*
CHAPTER 4: THE GAME
"No matter how I look at it, there's practically no clue whatsoever as to whom this crazy psychopath is," declared Watari as he typed furiously away at his laptop. All of them had adjourned to the staff room after the meeting, everyone agreeing that no time could be wasted in solving this latest case. But despite the frustration shown in the phrasing of his words, there was a delighted smile on Watari's face. He thrives on challenges and this new case is exactly that: a challenge.
Everyone, except for Saya and Yuma, who had been called back to their block for a new case, was gathered around Watari as he analyzed in minute detail the gruesome pictures of the seven murders uncovered while the Gushoushin had retired to the library to do a paper chase on the case. With a flair that Kyo could never master (he was never very good at computers, he admitted), Watari extracted the images of the circles and pentagram from each of the murders and superimposed each on the other.
"Amazing," Watari breathed.
"What?" 6 voices chorused together.
"The circles and pentagrams for each murder is a near perfect replica of each other. Take a look for yourself," with that, Watari leaned back in his chair so that everyone could see the laptop's screen. He was right, they saw. Except for some very slight straying of the lines, the symbols were exact duplicate images of each other.
"What does this mean, Watari-san?" asked Tatsumi, pushing up his glasses. He was leaning over Watari's left, his arm encircling the back of Watari's chair. Watari, Kyo noted, who may not have realized it himself, was leaning back even more in his chair. Kyo smirked.
Watari shook his head thoughtfully, "I can't really say for sure but I think, whomever he is, he's been doing the symbols so much, it comes second nature to him. But," Watari held up a finger, "there's an anomaly.
Look here," he moved the mouse over the area between the two circles and highlighted the arcane words written in between.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked. From the corner of his eye, Kyo saw Hisoka rubbing absently at one arm. A moment later, Tsuzuki reached over and closed his hand over Hisoka's, squeezing gently.
"From the alphabets used, and the way it's written, I'd say it's a summoning spell. A very complex one. The most complex I ever saw actually," Watari added. "but the weird thing is, it's not complete. There's certain key phrases missing here and there, all different for the 7 symbols. And- wait," with a frown, Watari hunched over his keyboard again and started to type away at lightning speed. No one really knew what he was doing as the search program used was one designed by Watari himself. They didn't have long to wait however as a couple of minutes later,
"Aha! I knew it!" Watari punched the air triumphantly. "Oops, sorry!" he apologized at Kyo who had managed to duck away in time from the victorious fist. "Anyway, like I said, certain phrases are missing right? And all at different parts?"
Six heads nodded in agreement. They don't really know if it was true but if Watari said so, then it must be.
"So," Watari punched in a few more keys, "If you put it all together, the spell from all seven symbols, you have the complete set. Ta-da!" With a flourish, he pushed 'enter' and the entire screen went black, and an instant later, the completed spell appeared, jagged, blood-red letters glowing against the dark background.
As one, they inhaled sharply in surprised, including Watari. They didn't have to understand the spell to know that it was... frightening. True, it was only arcane words digitally displayed, but the whole thing *reeked* with a menacing aura, seeming to carry with it a chill that pervaded the room, sending shivers down their spine.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked again, his voice hoarse. No one was surprised at that though, each felt as if something heavy was lodged in their chests; where their hearts should be, something hard and cold now resided there. The Shinigamis felt fear.
"It's," Watari stopped to clear his throat, his voice awed. "It's a summoning spell.
To summon spirits that live between heaven and hell.
Spirits that reside in Meifu."
No one moved or spoke. Or even breathed it seemed. That cold, hard something in their chests now seemed to grow chilly spikes that pumped out ice water instead of warm blood in their veins.
Watari turned slowly in his chair to face them, his face white, his eyes wide with amazement and more than a little amount of fear, "It's to summon us."
________________________________________________________________________
It was late evening before Kyo finally reached his apartment. The discussion had been long and tiring, concerning the case. This was the first time ever anyone had blatantly challenged the Shinigamis, and it stumped them. But for what reason the challenge was given, none could guess.
It was Watari also, surprisingly, that quashed down Hisoka and Tsuzuki's suggestion that the perpetrator could be Muraki. Kyo didn't know the whole story concerning this Muraki Kazutaka, but from what he'd heard, he was inclined to agree. From all accounts, this Muraki was a psychic vampire, a sadistic killer, a strong onmyouji and an all around crazy bastard. It had to be him, hadn't it?
"I'm sorry bon, I don't think so," Watari shook his head. "It's because of the spell the murderer used."
At their puzzled looks, he explained further. "I've made a study of the curse placed on Hisoka," here he threw an apologetic look at the boy, "and there's a pretty big difference. For one thing, the curse Muraki used is a style completely different to other normal curses, so it's safe to assume that Muraki has developed his own brand of magic. Our other cases concerning him substantiates that.
Now, it's not easy developing your own style of magic," he continued. "It involves years of study, no matter how good you are, to find something that suits you and you only. This spell," he gestured at the laptop screen which still glowed with the ominous letters, "is altogether a completely brand new style by itself. And from the flow of the spell and its potency," here, all of them glanced again at the screen and looked away with a shudder, "This magician is perhaps one of the best dark magician I ever encountered. Perhaps *the* best. Even stronger than Muraki if we're to judge by this one spell alone."
You could hear a pin drop in the room after that little bombshell Watari dropped, Kyo thought wryly. He moved around in his kitchen almost absently, preparing some light dinner as he thought back on the discussion the office had.
Something had been nagging at the back of Kyo's mind and it had finally hit him then. "If this is a summoning spell, to summon one or all of us," he started slowly, "Why didn't he complete the spell? I mean, why go through all the bother of getting sacrifices but not launching the spell each time?"
Everyone stared at each other uneasily. It was true. If the magician was as competent as Watari had made him out to be, why this business with the seven murders? Why not just come out and do the spell?
"I think," Tsuzuki frowned, "he's doing it deliberately. The murders, the incomplete spell," he waved his hand at the laptop. "He's trying to get our attention, I think."
"And succeeding," Terazuma muttered.
They had tossed around dozens of possibilities concerning the identity of the killer after that and even Watari finally admitted that while it was highly unlikely that it was Muraki this time, it would be foolish to immediately cross him of the suspect list.
You have, Watari shrugged, to keep your options open. And that, Kyo shook his head, is pretty much it. Cross Muraki off the list, and they don't have a single suspect. NOT crossing him off the list, and he's their ONLY suspect.
"It would be foolish of us to take unnecessary risks," Tatsumi had said. "Since even Enma-sama himself had seen fit to take a personal interest in this case, it goes to show just how important, and dangerous it could be. Since Kyoto falls under Watari and Kyo's jurisdiction, they will naturally be the ones assigned to it. On top of that, Tsuzuki-san, Kurosaki-kun and I will join you," announced Tatsumi. "Terazuma-san, Wakaba-san, Saya and Yuma- san will stay here as backup. Understand?" At their nods, he concluded with a "Very well then, everyone go home, get some rest, and we'll have another briefing tomorrow morning before going down to Chijou."
This is going to be like trying to find the proverbial needle in the proverbial haystack, Kyo sighed to himself. He carried his dinner, a chicken paella, to the couch in front of the tv and was just settling down to eat his dinner when the doorbell rang.
________________________________________________________________________
Watari had stayed back after everyone else left to do more research for the case. The Gushoushin brothers joined him then to compare their findings and the police evidence collected for the case. What they've gotten hadn't been much, but it was definitely a little bit better than what they first started out with.
Night had fallen as he made his way back to his own apartment. There was a cool wind blowing, bringing with it a hint of rain and cherry blossoms. Life is good here in Meifu, Watari mused. Perfect days always, with the occasional rain to relieve the monotony, everlasting sakuras... yes, life IS good here in Meifu.... well, sometimes. He winced inwardly then, remembering the mayhem that ensued when Muraki managed to break into Meifu to kidnap Tsuzuki. That had definitely counted as a pretty awful day.
He had just reached his block when he remembered that Kyo lived in the one over. The boy could use some company for a while, he thought. Besides, as great as it is having 003 around, he had to admit that sometimes he craved human company when the sun set. So he walked on past his block, entered Kyo's and a few minutes later, was ringing on his doorbell.
He heard a faint "Chotto matte!" and a few seconds later, the door opened to reveal Kyo in a T-shirt that said 'Josui High School' and shorts.
"Konbanwa!" Watari grinned. "I thought I'd drop by to say hi!"
Kyo smiled back and stepped aside to let him in. "I appreciate it. It was getting a bit boring talking to myself."
"Aa, I know the feeling," Watari slipped out of his shoes and threw a commiserating glance at the boy. "I was getting a bit lonely myself."
"003 would be devastated to hear that," Kyo said over his shoulder as he gestured to Watari to take a seat on the couch. "Do you want some dinner? I was just about to have some chicken paella."
"Thanks, I'd love to, and don't tell 003 I said that!"
Faint laughter could be heard from the kitchen as Kyo rustled up another plate for him. Watari took the time to take off his coat and slung it over the back of an armchair. With some surprise, he noted that nearly every light in the place had been turned on. He sat back down on the couch as Kyo came over with his plate and handed it over to him. Kyo was different from the others, Watari thought to himself. While everyone had their share of a hurtful past and did their best to hide it, Kyo seemed to just... acknowledge that his past was there and just went on with what he was doing.
It's not as though Kyo is a cold, unfeeling kind of person, Watari mused on. On the contrary in fact, as proved by the way he handled the spirit of the dead sister a few days back. Rather, it was because he felt so much, for other people, that he pushed aside his own hurt to comfort others. Watari sighed soundlessly. It was good having Kyo around. He brought with him a certain cheeriness to the place, made things a little bit lighter somehow, for himself, and the others. He'd hate to lose him.
He took a bite of the paella, made the appropriate noises of delight (it was good, after all) and asked Kyo, "Why did you turn all the lights in the place on?"
Kyo shrugged indifferently, "I'm not used to being alone."
Watari was about to ask him what he meant by that when Kyo suddenly gave him an impish grin. "You looked pretty close with Tatsumi-san earlier, what's that about?"
Watari choked and Kyo pounded his back enthusiastically, grinning like a madman and handed him a glass of water. "Well?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" Watari spluttered.
"Mou," chibi-Kyo appeared and nudged Watari slyly. "If you guys sat any closer, you'd be glued to each other," he declared with a snicker.
Watari choked again. "K-k-KYO-SAN!!"
________________________________________________________________________
It was a couple of hours later, as Watari made his way back to his own apartment that he realized that Kyo had cleverly deflected his questions and turned the tables back on him.
"Sneaky bastard," Watari muttered to himself.
________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, it was only Tatsumi, Kyo, Tsuzuki and Hisoka that went down to Chijou. Watari had elected to stay back for a while to see if he could dig up something more about the case. That last session Watari had with the Gushoushin had provided them with a small scrap of a clue, a torn piece of paper with a strange, mystic symbol on it. After researching, they had found that it was the sign of a small shop in the bad part of Kyoto, selling dark magic paraphernalia. It wasn't much, but it was something to start on.
They decided to check into their hotels first, and dump their luggage before checking out the shop. Tatsumi had booked for them a single room with two double beds in a cheap motel. It was, Tsuzuki confided to Kyo, a far cry from the dilapidated and run down house Tatsumi got for them the last time they were in the old imperial city.
They had just entered the room given to them when Tsuzuki bounded past them and bounced enthusiastically on the bed nearest the window. "This is mine and Hisoka! I got here first!" Tsuzuki sang out. Hisoka blushed and muttered something about idiots and discretion and dumped his bags on the bed his partner had procured.
Tatsumi and Kyo meanwhile, took a look at the other available bed and pondered. Before Tatsumi could say anything though, Kyo spoke up. "I'll take the couch if you don't mind, Tatsumi-san."
At Tatsumi's inquiring look he said, "Don't take this the wrong way but I'm not used to sleeping with anybody besides..." Kyo shrugged. "I'm just not used to it."
Tatsumi gave him a piercing stare but before he could say anything, Kyo bent down and picked up something white lying on the pillow. "What's this?"
Immediately, a pair of puppy ears and a wagging tail appeared on Tsuzuki. "Wan! Wan! Is it chocolates?"
"No," Kyo said slowly, "It's a note. For us."
"From the management?" Tatsumi's voice was muffled as he was leaning into the built-in closet, carefully stowing his bags away. There'd be time to unpack later.
"It's," Kyo hesitated. From where he sat, Hisoka could feel a very low wave of uneasiness radiating from him. Obviously, something had upset him and he was trying his best to control it.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked sharply. At his tone, the other two men in the room stopped in their tracks and gave puzzled looks at the both of them. Kyo took a deep breath and began to read aloud the note.
"Ohayo, Shinigamis. Do you like your room? But then, as Tatsumi-san was the one who picked it, you don't really have anything to say do you? Really, Tatsumi-san, don't be such a miser! By the way, I'm glad all of decided to take me up on my invitation. The party would not be a party without the guests of honor, would it not? And like any parties, I enjoy games. They make the time fly by without you noticing it, don't you agree? And so, Shinigamis;
Let the games begin."
~to be continued~
________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Wow, I'm getting to be pretty good at cliffhangers, don't you think? ^ . ~ So, as always, what do you guys think? Is the plot developing well? This is my first try at a long fic so I don't want to make mistakes. I'm sorry this chapter is a bit short but I have to get up early tomorrow morning. My mom has guests coming (yech!).But don't worry, no wind, no rain, no tide, not even Muraki could stop me from uploading a new chapter tomorrow night! (Hopefully.) So Review! Please????
Warning: Erm... *scratches head* can't think of any
Pairings: As usual, plus, a slight development in the Tats x Watari department!
Disclaimer: *Yawns*
CHAPTER 4: THE GAME
"No matter how I look at it, there's practically no clue whatsoever as to whom this crazy psychopath is," declared Watari as he typed furiously away at his laptop. All of them had adjourned to the staff room after the meeting, everyone agreeing that no time could be wasted in solving this latest case. But despite the frustration shown in the phrasing of his words, there was a delighted smile on Watari's face. He thrives on challenges and this new case is exactly that: a challenge.
Everyone, except for Saya and Yuma, who had been called back to their block for a new case, was gathered around Watari as he analyzed in minute detail the gruesome pictures of the seven murders uncovered while the Gushoushin had retired to the library to do a paper chase on the case. With a flair that Kyo could never master (he was never very good at computers, he admitted), Watari extracted the images of the circles and pentagram from each of the murders and superimposed each on the other.
"Amazing," Watari breathed.
"What?" 6 voices chorused together.
"The circles and pentagrams for each murder is a near perfect replica of each other. Take a look for yourself," with that, Watari leaned back in his chair so that everyone could see the laptop's screen. He was right, they saw. Except for some very slight straying of the lines, the symbols were exact duplicate images of each other.
"What does this mean, Watari-san?" asked Tatsumi, pushing up his glasses. He was leaning over Watari's left, his arm encircling the back of Watari's chair. Watari, Kyo noted, who may not have realized it himself, was leaning back even more in his chair. Kyo smirked.
Watari shook his head thoughtfully, "I can't really say for sure but I think, whomever he is, he's been doing the symbols so much, it comes second nature to him. But," Watari held up a finger, "there's an anomaly.
Look here," he moved the mouse over the area between the two circles and highlighted the arcane words written in between.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked. From the corner of his eye, Kyo saw Hisoka rubbing absently at one arm. A moment later, Tsuzuki reached over and closed his hand over Hisoka's, squeezing gently.
"From the alphabets used, and the way it's written, I'd say it's a summoning spell. A very complex one. The most complex I ever saw actually," Watari added. "but the weird thing is, it's not complete. There's certain key phrases missing here and there, all different for the 7 symbols. And- wait," with a frown, Watari hunched over his keyboard again and started to type away at lightning speed. No one really knew what he was doing as the search program used was one designed by Watari himself. They didn't have long to wait however as a couple of minutes later,
"Aha! I knew it!" Watari punched the air triumphantly. "Oops, sorry!" he apologized at Kyo who had managed to duck away in time from the victorious fist. "Anyway, like I said, certain phrases are missing right? And all at different parts?"
Six heads nodded in agreement. They don't really know if it was true but if Watari said so, then it must be.
"So," Watari punched in a few more keys, "If you put it all together, the spell from all seven symbols, you have the complete set. Ta-da!" With a flourish, he pushed 'enter' and the entire screen went black, and an instant later, the completed spell appeared, jagged, blood-red letters glowing against the dark background.
As one, they inhaled sharply in surprised, including Watari. They didn't have to understand the spell to know that it was... frightening. True, it was only arcane words digitally displayed, but the whole thing *reeked* with a menacing aura, seeming to carry with it a chill that pervaded the room, sending shivers down their spine.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked again, his voice hoarse. No one was surprised at that though, each felt as if something heavy was lodged in their chests; where their hearts should be, something hard and cold now resided there. The Shinigamis felt fear.
"It's," Watari stopped to clear his throat, his voice awed. "It's a summoning spell.
To summon spirits that live between heaven and hell.
Spirits that reside in Meifu."
No one moved or spoke. Or even breathed it seemed. That cold, hard something in their chests now seemed to grow chilly spikes that pumped out ice water instead of warm blood in their veins.
Watari turned slowly in his chair to face them, his face white, his eyes wide with amazement and more than a little amount of fear, "It's to summon us."
________________________________________________________________________
It was late evening before Kyo finally reached his apartment. The discussion had been long and tiring, concerning the case. This was the first time ever anyone had blatantly challenged the Shinigamis, and it stumped them. But for what reason the challenge was given, none could guess.
It was Watari also, surprisingly, that quashed down Hisoka and Tsuzuki's suggestion that the perpetrator could be Muraki. Kyo didn't know the whole story concerning this Muraki Kazutaka, but from what he'd heard, he was inclined to agree. From all accounts, this Muraki was a psychic vampire, a sadistic killer, a strong onmyouji and an all around crazy bastard. It had to be him, hadn't it?
"I'm sorry bon, I don't think so," Watari shook his head. "It's because of the spell the murderer used."
At their puzzled looks, he explained further. "I've made a study of the curse placed on Hisoka," here he threw an apologetic look at the boy, "and there's a pretty big difference. For one thing, the curse Muraki used is a style completely different to other normal curses, so it's safe to assume that Muraki has developed his own brand of magic. Our other cases concerning him substantiates that.
Now, it's not easy developing your own style of magic," he continued. "It involves years of study, no matter how good you are, to find something that suits you and you only. This spell," he gestured at the laptop screen which still glowed with the ominous letters, "is altogether a completely brand new style by itself. And from the flow of the spell and its potency," here, all of them glanced again at the screen and looked away with a shudder, "This magician is perhaps one of the best dark magician I ever encountered. Perhaps *the* best. Even stronger than Muraki if we're to judge by this one spell alone."
You could hear a pin drop in the room after that little bombshell Watari dropped, Kyo thought wryly. He moved around in his kitchen almost absently, preparing some light dinner as he thought back on the discussion the office had.
Something had been nagging at the back of Kyo's mind and it had finally hit him then. "If this is a summoning spell, to summon one or all of us," he started slowly, "Why didn't he complete the spell? I mean, why go through all the bother of getting sacrifices but not launching the spell each time?"
Everyone stared at each other uneasily. It was true. If the magician was as competent as Watari had made him out to be, why this business with the seven murders? Why not just come out and do the spell?
"I think," Tsuzuki frowned, "he's doing it deliberately. The murders, the incomplete spell," he waved his hand at the laptop. "He's trying to get our attention, I think."
"And succeeding," Terazuma muttered.
They had tossed around dozens of possibilities concerning the identity of the killer after that and even Watari finally admitted that while it was highly unlikely that it was Muraki this time, it would be foolish to immediately cross him of the suspect list.
You have, Watari shrugged, to keep your options open. And that, Kyo shook his head, is pretty much it. Cross Muraki off the list, and they don't have a single suspect. NOT crossing him off the list, and he's their ONLY suspect.
"It would be foolish of us to take unnecessary risks," Tatsumi had said. "Since even Enma-sama himself had seen fit to take a personal interest in this case, it goes to show just how important, and dangerous it could be. Since Kyoto falls under Watari and Kyo's jurisdiction, they will naturally be the ones assigned to it. On top of that, Tsuzuki-san, Kurosaki-kun and I will join you," announced Tatsumi. "Terazuma-san, Wakaba-san, Saya and Yuma- san will stay here as backup. Understand?" At their nods, he concluded with a "Very well then, everyone go home, get some rest, and we'll have another briefing tomorrow morning before going down to Chijou."
This is going to be like trying to find the proverbial needle in the proverbial haystack, Kyo sighed to himself. He carried his dinner, a chicken paella, to the couch in front of the tv and was just settling down to eat his dinner when the doorbell rang.
________________________________________________________________________
Watari had stayed back after everyone else left to do more research for the case. The Gushoushin brothers joined him then to compare their findings and the police evidence collected for the case. What they've gotten hadn't been much, but it was definitely a little bit better than what they first started out with.
Night had fallen as he made his way back to his own apartment. There was a cool wind blowing, bringing with it a hint of rain and cherry blossoms. Life is good here in Meifu, Watari mused. Perfect days always, with the occasional rain to relieve the monotony, everlasting sakuras... yes, life IS good here in Meifu.... well, sometimes. He winced inwardly then, remembering the mayhem that ensued when Muraki managed to break into Meifu to kidnap Tsuzuki. That had definitely counted as a pretty awful day.
He had just reached his block when he remembered that Kyo lived in the one over. The boy could use some company for a while, he thought. Besides, as great as it is having 003 around, he had to admit that sometimes he craved human company when the sun set. So he walked on past his block, entered Kyo's and a few minutes later, was ringing on his doorbell.
He heard a faint "Chotto matte!" and a few seconds later, the door opened to reveal Kyo in a T-shirt that said 'Josui High School' and shorts.
"Konbanwa!" Watari grinned. "I thought I'd drop by to say hi!"
Kyo smiled back and stepped aside to let him in. "I appreciate it. It was getting a bit boring talking to myself."
"Aa, I know the feeling," Watari slipped out of his shoes and threw a commiserating glance at the boy. "I was getting a bit lonely myself."
"003 would be devastated to hear that," Kyo said over his shoulder as he gestured to Watari to take a seat on the couch. "Do you want some dinner? I was just about to have some chicken paella."
"Thanks, I'd love to, and don't tell 003 I said that!"
Faint laughter could be heard from the kitchen as Kyo rustled up another plate for him. Watari took the time to take off his coat and slung it over the back of an armchair. With some surprise, he noted that nearly every light in the place had been turned on. He sat back down on the couch as Kyo came over with his plate and handed it over to him. Kyo was different from the others, Watari thought to himself. While everyone had their share of a hurtful past and did their best to hide it, Kyo seemed to just... acknowledge that his past was there and just went on with what he was doing.
It's not as though Kyo is a cold, unfeeling kind of person, Watari mused on. On the contrary in fact, as proved by the way he handled the spirit of the dead sister a few days back. Rather, it was because he felt so much, for other people, that he pushed aside his own hurt to comfort others. Watari sighed soundlessly. It was good having Kyo around. He brought with him a certain cheeriness to the place, made things a little bit lighter somehow, for himself, and the others. He'd hate to lose him.
He took a bite of the paella, made the appropriate noises of delight (it was good, after all) and asked Kyo, "Why did you turn all the lights in the place on?"
Kyo shrugged indifferently, "I'm not used to being alone."
Watari was about to ask him what he meant by that when Kyo suddenly gave him an impish grin. "You looked pretty close with Tatsumi-san earlier, what's that about?"
Watari choked and Kyo pounded his back enthusiastically, grinning like a madman and handed him a glass of water. "Well?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" Watari spluttered.
"Mou," chibi-Kyo appeared and nudged Watari slyly. "If you guys sat any closer, you'd be glued to each other," he declared with a snicker.
Watari choked again. "K-k-KYO-SAN!!"
________________________________________________________________________
It was a couple of hours later, as Watari made his way back to his own apartment that he realized that Kyo had cleverly deflected his questions and turned the tables back on him.
"Sneaky bastard," Watari muttered to himself.
________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, it was only Tatsumi, Kyo, Tsuzuki and Hisoka that went down to Chijou. Watari had elected to stay back for a while to see if he could dig up something more about the case. That last session Watari had with the Gushoushin had provided them with a small scrap of a clue, a torn piece of paper with a strange, mystic symbol on it. After researching, they had found that it was the sign of a small shop in the bad part of Kyoto, selling dark magic paraphernalia. It wasn't much, but it was something to start on.
They decided to check into their hotels first, and dump their luggage before checking out the shop. Tatsumi had booked for them a single room with two double beds in a cheap motel. It was, Tsuzuki confided to Kyo, a far cry from the dilapidated and run down house Tatsumi got for them the last time they were in the old imperial city.
They had just entered the room given to them when Tsuzuki bounded past them and bounced enthusiastically on the bed nearest the window. "This is mine and Hisoka! I got here first!" Tsuzuki sang out. Hisoka blushed and muttered something about idiots and discretion and dumped his bags on the bed his partner had procured.
Tatsumi and Kyo meanwhile, took a look at the other available bed and pondered. Before Tatsumi could say anything though, Kyo spoke up. "I'll take the couch if you don't mind, Tatsumi-san."
At Tatsumi's inquiring look he said, "Don't take this the wrong way but I'm not used to sleeping with anybody besides..." Kyo shrugged. "I'm just not used to it."
Tatsumi gave him a piercing stare but before he could say anything, Kyo bent down and picked up something white lying on the pillow. "What's this?"
Immediately, a pair of puppy ears and a wagging tail appeared on Tsuzuki. "Wan! Wan! Is it chocolates?"
"No," Kyo said slowly, "It's a note. For us."
"From the management?" Tatsumi's voice was muffled as he was leaning into the built-in closet, carefully stowing his bags away. There'd be time to unpack later.
"It's," Kyo hesitated. From where he sat, Hisoka could feel a very low wave of uneasiness radiating from him. Obviously, something had upset him and he was trying his best to control it.
"What is it?" Hisoka asked sharply. At his tone, the other two men in the room stopped in their tracks and gave puzzled looks at the both of them. Kyo took a deep breath and began to read aloud the note.
"Ohayo, Shinigamis. Do you like your room? But then, as Tatsumi-san was the one who picked it, you don't really have anything to say do you? Really, Tatsumi-san, don't be such a miser! By the way, I'm glad all of decided to take me up on my invitation. The party would not be a party without the guests of honor, would it not? And like any parties, I enjoy games. They make the time fly by without you noticing it, don't you agree? And so, Shinigamis;
Let the games begin."
~to be continued~
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A/N: Wow, I'm getting to be pretty good at cliffhangers, don't you think? ^ . ~ So, as always, what do you guys think? Is the plot developing well? This is my first try at a long fic so I don't want to make mistakes. I'm sorry this chapter is a bit short but I have to get up early tomorrow morning. My mom has guests coming (yech!).But don't worry, no wind, no rain, no tide, not even Muraki could stop me from uploading a new chapter tomorrow night! (Hopefully.) So Review! Please????