*****

Chyogucho: The Next Day

Tsuzuki walked silently, slowly across the cherry orchard outside of the complex. Why didn't you obey my orders? The smell of Subaru's blood and sweat forced its way into his mind again, once again his boot was tainted with that blood, the ill-deserved blow haunting Tsuzuki. I'm not like that. Tsuzuki sat down next to a tree, feeling the ridges of the bark dig lightly into his back. This is real. This air, this sky, these trees. It's all real. Something I can hold on to, something that will always be here. It's a constant. He closed his eyes and tried to doze off. Soon enough, though, a shadow fell over his covered gaze and brought his head out of the reverie.

"Domo, Tsuzuki," said a mellifluous, deep voice.

Tsuzuki stood up quickly and straightened his rumpled suit, which curled up again as soon as he stopped touching it. "Hai. Konnichiwa, Tatsumi-san." He winked at the cerulean eyes hidden behind the thin-wire glasses, a bit of his humor returning. Something about Tatsumi always made him want to play "Did you get my report?"

"Aa. We won't be punishing Bon for disobeying your orders. There is no reason to, especially with the curse now lifted." Tatsumi stood erect, ever the epitome of elegance.

Tsuzuki smiled. "That's good I didn't want him to be punished anyway. He hates me enough as it is ^^;;"

Tatsumi didn't return the warmth. "Tsuzuki, he doesn't hate you. You know that. It's actually the reason I came out here to see you normally I don't intrude into your private space among the sakura."

"Eh? How did you know I come out here a lot?" Tsuzuki stared at his superior.

Now Tatsumi smiled, and pushed his glasses up onto his nose. "I watch you every now and then, Tsuzuki-kun." He placed his hand on the tree next to Tsuzuki's neck, brushing the light brown hair ever so slightly. Tsuzuki flinched a little bit, remembering how sensitive that touch could be, and then gently pushed Tatsumi away.

"Gomenasai, Tatsumi-san, but we our time passed a long time ago." The purple eyes shimmered.

The smile broadened, confusing the younger Shinigami. "That's good. Bon told me to do this to see how you really felt."

O.o

"You're so cute when you're upset, Tsuzuki-kun. Really, you should apologize to him for being so jealous. Don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes. ^_^. Ja." Tatsumi walked away, and leaning against a tree behind him stood Hisoka. The green eyes burned into Tsuzuki, and he found himself blushing furiously.

"You turned down Tatsumi-san for me. You really do Tsuzuki?" Tsuzuki sighed inwardly Soka-chan still couldn't show much emotion. The youth detached himself from the tree and walked over, the cuffed overcoat flapping quietly. He stopped inches from Tsuzuki and looked up at Tsuzuki.

"Ah hey Soka-chan. ^^;; *sweatdrop* erm *sigh* I'm sorry about intruding on you and the Sumeragi. I should have asked instead of being jealous." He put his arms around Hisoka's shoulders and stared into the eyes as he finished.

"I didn't want to tell you. I needed to see how you really felt about me. Though I didn't expect you to try to stop me. It's ok though." Hisoka slipped his shirt off of one shoulder to reveal the pale, but unmarked skin.

"Well, when a proclaimed assassin sticks his hand through my partner for the second time, I get kind of upset ^^;;"

"Tsuzuki, please be serious. The Sumeragi and I we've had rough pasts, similar in some ways. But nothing could ever happen."

O.o "How do you know?"

"Because I know he still loves at least one other person. And because I love one other person." Hisoka leaned in and hugged the stunned Tsuzuki and they stood there for awhile in silence. Time stretched into the late morning and they still didn't move.

"Soka-chan?"

"Eh?"

"What was it like to be on top of Subaru? Without a shirt on?"

*smack* -.-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; "Shut up, Tsuzuki."

*****