Akusho

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. Well, I've been taking a break from the computer, to spend time with my family and recovering from the cold that is going around. ^_^ And to go out on Sunday with Okaasan! Thank you to all those who reviewed these chapters ^^ To Baki-chan, hmm…I can try to do a massive update for you ^^

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Yukio continued to find an interest in his alcoholic beverage while the other two sat before him, a threatening and upset look staying on their faces. He tried to think where to begin.

"Start from the beginning, pervert," mocked Hisoka, wrinkling his nose with annoyance.

Yukio's head shot up and he stared. His tightened muscles relaxed when he remembered the boy's mind reading abilities. He sighed; realizing there was no way around the subject.

"Basically, my brother and I chase the bad guys," he explained sheepishly.

Tsuzuki raised an eyebrow. "Bad guys?"

A small laugh escaped Yukio. He leaned back in his seat and said, "Well, not bad guys. We chase a mob under the rule of a woman. She collects people that are different from everyone else. Telepathic, telekinetic, healers, elemental, shapeshifting, clairvoyance, and anything else I miss."

Both blinked for a moment, waiting for Yukio to continue.

"Well," he began again, "I guess it started when we were oh I don't know…about seven I think. I was seven and he was five I think. Anyway, our father was one of the rare elemental people."

Hisoka interrupted by asking, "Which element?"

"Wind and mists. He only used it for good, of course. He would cause the wind to carry my brother and I, and we'd fly around for hours. Our life was perfect, almost. That was until she came. She introduced herself as an owner of a rich island. She invited us over, saying that she had an offer for my father that he couldn't refuse. Well, being the gentleman he was, he went along, brining my brother and I. It was a peaceful island, many people occupied it. She spoke to my father about using his unique ability to protect those like him. That bitch…"

Tsuzuki leaned forward, interested. He asked, "What happened?"

"She played him all along. I was smart enough to see her appointments in her mansion, and being the troublemaker I am, I followed her. My brother caught me sneaking out one night and refused to let me go unless he came too. So, I brought him along. God, I'll never forget what I saw."

Yukio took another shot, his cheeks beginning to flush from the strong drink. "There was a young girl there. About…six or so I think. She was kneeling on the floor, covered in dark liquid."

"Blood?" assumed Hisoka.

The man nodded, pouring himself more of the alcohol. "That monster was there, beating the crap out of her. She kept yelling 'Answer me and obey! No one cares about you but me! No one! You're worthless!' The girl cried and cried while she was beaten. She finally stopped smacking the girl and hugged her. Hugged her as if she had done nothing. She was insane I swear!"

"Why was she beating the girl?"

Another shot was gulped down. After wiping his mouth, Yukio replied, "She was a telekinetic girl. She spoke to the girl again after a while. She was telling the girl that if she didn't train hard enough, she couldn't retaliate against those who hurt her. Also, that bitch said that the little girl was only in good care in her hands. The girl was too naïve and obeyed. That's when I realized that that woman was only gathering 'freaks', as she called them, to possess the world."

Hisoka groaned. "Don't tell me that she want's to rule the world or destroyed it. That sounds too old-fashioned!"

Yukio shook his head and said, "No. She wants to rebuild it. With only those who don't possess abnormal abilities to become slaves…Shells with no souls."

With a silent moment passing over them, Tsuzuki took the time to think. Finally, he came up with a thought that might explain a few things. "She…she must be one of them as well."

"Yes. She says she wants to make the people who live 'normal' lives suffer for treating her and the people like her so cruel," whispered Yukio, deciding to stop his drinking after seeing Hisoka and Tsuzuki double before him.

"Tsuzuki…Wasn't there a case about missing people with abnormal abilities of some sort?" asked Hisoka.

Tsuzuki paused and recalled the past two weeks. "I think so…Oh! Maybe this is the case! Tatsumi and Watari probably wouldn't think that they would all come here…"

"Perhaps since it's not in the region. In either case, we don't have much of a choice," said Hisoka, facing Yukio who was currently trying to count properly on his fingers.

Tsuzuki struggled not to burst out laughing at the dazed look on Yukio's face. Before he could ask if Yukio would like help going home, someone called out, "Nii-chan!"

A boy came running toward them, breathing heavily. The form brushed by the thick crowd and finally made it to the table where the three sat. He resembled Yukio extremely.

"Nii-chan! I thought I told you to stop drinking that stuff!" cried the boy, pounding his fist on his brother's head.

Yukio moaned with pain, and smacked the smaller hand away. "Zenshin, what the hell took you so long?"

"Asshole, James was at their place preparing a trap!"

"Ahhh, damn it." Yukio struggled to stand but collapsed into his brother's side. Zenshin tossed one of Yukio's long arms over his shoulder and tried to steady the drunken man.

"It gets worse, I'm afraid. Anthony was there!"

Hisoka and Tsuzuki both asked at the same time, "Who?"

The boy, noting that the two were listening, eyed them over. "…Hmm…Ah! Hisoka-san! Tsuzuki-san! I'm so glad you're all right, Hisoka-san!" Zenshin squealed and dropped his brother, causing him to smack his face into the ground.

The boy wrapped his arms around Hisoka and Tsuzuki's neck, giving them both a bear hug. He had marvelous strength for such a thin kid.

Tsuzuki chuckled and leaned back, meeting the boy's clear eyes. "Hi Zenshin. I remember seeing you on the train. I guess there's a lot of shit going on, ne?"

"Ah. But…here's not the place to talk. Why don't we all go to your hotel? I'm sure Anthony and James have already retreated," offered Zenshin, smiling warmly.

Hisoka asked, "What exactly is James's full name?"

Yukio, groaning and rubbing his sore face, grunted in response. "His real name is Jake Sanford James. He just switches it around."

Hisoka's eyes widened. "The…the woman you spoke about. Her name wouldn't happen to be…Rosa Sanford?"

Both Zenshin and Yukio froze. The silence made Hisoka wish to have kept silent. "I uh…She talked to me with her father, as she said, named Jake. They were trying to convince me to go to their mansion. I think Jake, er…or James, rather, tried to read my mind…"

"You could hear him inside your thoughts?" asked Zenshin.

Tsuzuki explained, "Hisoka is empathic."

Yukio looked over at Zenshin, who shot him a dirty look. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "I didn't know James was going to talk to him!"

"Nii-san!"

"Hey!" cried Yukio. "You do the researching and I kick the ass!"

Zenshin groaned and kicked his brother's shin violently, causing the man to curse loudly. "Nii-san, we both do the work. Not just me! Now, let's go back to the hotel before we draw more unwanted attention. Besides, James is probably around."

With that, Zenshin slightly helped his brother out the door with the two Shinigami close behind them.

~*~*~*~

With a grunt, Yukio was tossed upon the chair upstairs immediately falling into a deep slumber. Zenshin smiled and covered his brother with a quilt before going to meet the two downstairs. He shut the door and headed down the stairs, finding the two sitting on the couch, whispering to each other.

"I don't think I trust them, Tsuzuki. I mean, maybe they're in this as well."

"Just give them a chance. They seem nice enough."

"That's what you thought about Muraki the first time."

"…"

Zenshin grinned and turned on a near by lamp. "I understand if you don't trust me, Hisoka-san. I can't blame you."

Two heads snapped up in his direction and the younger one blushed slightly. Hisoka bent his head down to conceal his embarrassment and said, "I'm sorry. But you must admit, it is very strange."

Zenshin shrugged. "That's why I'm here now," he began, "I'll answer all your questions."

Tsuzuki sighed and leaned into the couch, placing a possessive arm around Hisoka, as the boy yawned sleepily. He asked, "Well, how's Yukio doing?"

"Asleep like a pig."

The man chuckled softly. After silence began to creep up for a moment, lingering about, he spoke up again. "So, why are you doing this?"

Zenshin, who had begun to make some tea and was currently in the kitchen, stuck his head out from his spot behind the counter. "What?"

"This job."

The boy flushed and turned his attention on the tea, trying to sound relaxed. "We just do."

Tsuzuki narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were going to be honest with me," he snapped almost too coldly.

"I'm sorry. The truth…Well, I can't tell you. Not even Yukio knows. I can't risk it. But I assure you that it's for the better good…I hope."

The man appeared to accept the explanation with a nod. Though he wanted to understand more, he thought it would be best not to push the subject. It seemed too emotional for Zenshin.

"So, the basic idea is that these people, is that they want to gather all gifted children and adults to reclaim the entire world. They want this because it is to make those who have treated different people cruelly by forcing them to become slaves of some sort," thought Hisoka aloud, making it sound like a cheesy story.

Zenshin cringed at the sarcastic tone Hisoka used. The boy could be rather rude at times, though Zenshin thought it was not of his concern. "Basically, I guess. But of course, there's much more detail in between. The kind that you'll learn little by little. But let's forget about it for now. You've two had a long day. I said we'd talk, but Hisoka looks dead almost."

He took the three mugs that were laid upon the tray and went back to where Tsuzuki and Hisoka, who was practically asleep, sat. The tray was placed on the small coffee table before them, the steam still indicating the warmth of the drink.

"Want one, Tsuzuki-san, Hisoka-san?" he asked with a cheery voice.

Tsuzuki smiled in thanks and took a mug and handed it to the half-asleep boy beside him, who struggled to keep it steady in his hands. "Hisoka! You're going to spill it on you!"

The boy struggled harder to hold it steady but failed to do so when Tsuzuki snatched it back. "Open your mouth," he demanded with a gentle voice. Hisoka groaned but obeyed. With a careful hand, Tsuzuki placed the mug to the boy's lips, allowing him to drink hungrily.

Zenshin couldn't help but grin at the sight. He took a sip of his own just as Tsuzuki finished offering the boy some tea, and began drinking it as well. "Lovers, eh?"

Hisoka immediately sat up at the comment, causing Tsuzuki to spill the remaining tea on his clothing. "Of course not! We-Tsuzuki! You idiot! Look at the mess you made!" Quickly, the boy sprung up, despite his weak limbs, and began snatching the towels off from the counter before heading back to Tsuzuki, wiping the man frantically.

Zenshin broke out into fits of laughter at the two, struggling to clean their clothing off. "You guys are hilarious."

"We better go change now and go to sleep, ne Hisoka?" offered Tsuzuki standing up and wrapping an arm around the boy's waist.

A tiny nod indicated that Hisoka agreed. He yawned loudly again and leaned against the older man, ignoring the wetness over his clothing.

Zenshin nodded and watched as the two headed upstairs quietly. "I'll sleep down here on the couch to keep guard. Good night."

"Night." Tsuzuki nodded and began helping Hisoka to their room.

Once they reached the top and had entered the small living room-like room that led to there own personal room, Hisoka turned in Tsuzuki's arms and wrapped his slender arms around the man's neck, brining him down into a passionate yet gentle kiss.

When they broke apart Tsuzuki asked, "What was that for?"

"I felt like it. Is that a problem?"

"Of course not!" Tsuzuki grinned and went to grab some clothing for the two of them, trying not to wake the snoring Yukio. He took out a pair of blue silk pajamas for Hisoka and brought a clean pair of bottom pants for himself.

He tossed the outfit to Hisoka who took it and headed towards the opposite end of the room to change while Tsuzuki quickly slipped on his pants once stripped out of his soaked and burning clothing.

He crawled under the covers and fluffed the pillows. Not too long afterward, Hisoka came in and tossed his clothing into the bag where Tsuzuki placed his dirty ones. He stretched and snuggled next to his lover and almost instantly fell asleep.

"Night…Baka…" he mumbled.

Tsuzuki smiled and kissed the boy's forehead before shutting his eyes. Sadly, he wasn't able to get much sleep due to Yukio's snoring in the other room. He squirmed a bit.

"Hisoka…"

The boy groaned but appeared to be listening.

Tsuzuki bit his lower lip and whispered. "I can't sleep. Yukio's too loud."

An emerald eye met his and shut again just as quickly. "Kill him."

The man chuckled and an idea sprang to mind. He could always complete with loud noises. He rolled over so that he lied upon the smaller one, which caused Hisoka to yelp softly in reply.

"Tsuzuki! What do you think you're doing! I'm trying to sleep here," he hissed struggling to break free. He suddenly froze when he felt a familiar hand creep up into his shirt and the other down his pants.

Tsuzuki, meanwhile, could only grin evilly.

The boy moaned and resisted temptation. "No, Tsuzuki. I need…"

But before he could complete his sentence, the older man captured his lips, silencing him from any other protest. Hisoka sighed deeply into the kiss and brought their bodies closer with a growl.

And for the rest of the night, it was definitely anything but quiet, and not just because of Yukio's snoring.

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A/N: Sorry for lateness, yet again. Anyway, boring chapter slightly…until the end *cough* ^_^ Next chapter will be difficult…@.o