Akusho
Mirai Kurosaki
A/N: Hey, all. Well, the end of the year is coming and work is OVERLOAD. BUT, that won't stop me from finding time to write my fics. ^_^ Okay, well, to Akane, yes, Hisoka and Tsuzuki are a couple; Hisoka doesn't admit it to anyone though ^^; I know I made it seem…odd, sorry. And thank you Prodigy. Actually, I do have the correct version of Akusho that has the correct Spanish words. I have two of them saved (the one that was revised and the one that wasn't). Somehow I couldn't save changes to the revisions, so I just redid it. Thanks to you, I can repost it (later, though. Too bust right now). I didn't check to see if it was revised or not (I actually read it after your review and noticed it was the wrong file ^^;;) So thank you for catching that!!!! ^_^ And thank you all! The more reviews, the faster I work. Nah, nah, I'm just kidding. I'll still try to post at least once a week for those who review. ^.^ You're all great! *bows*
~*~*~*~
Tsuzuki yawned sleepily as he strolled slowly down the stairs, heading for the kitchen. On his way down, he caught a sweet aroma that jolted his attention. Quickly, he jumped over the last few steps. There, he could tell by the chatting, that the others were cooking. Well, Hisoka and Zenshin were cooking. Yukio was sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Good morning, Yukio," he said, smiling.
Yukio looked up a grinned mischievously. "Hiiiiii. Sleep good?"
Tsuzuki shrugged. "Not with your snoring, even though we shut the door."
"I wasn't the only loud one."
Instantly, Tsuzuki blushed at the recent events last night. He stuttered for a moment before murmuring, "Sorry."
"The more proof for me," replied Yukio, turning back to the television.
Tsuzuki walked forward and cocked his head to peer at the screen. After a moment, he asked, "I didn't know there was a TV in here."
Yukoi shook his head. "Nope. I bought this small one and brought it here. I was woken up." He turned up to smile kindly at a scarlet Tsuzuki. "Don't apologize. Go say hi to the others."
Tsuzuki nodded and brushed by the couch to enter into the not too large kitchen where the two were chatting and cooking. He smiled immediately when Hisoka turned at his presence.
"Hello!" he cheered walking in. "Mmmm. What smells good?"
Zenshin chuckled and shook a finger indicating that Tsuzuki would have to wait until later to eat.
Hisoka snorted and turned back to flipping pancakes. He was wearing a familiar dark green apron that said 'Kiss the Cook' while Zenshin wore a red striped one that was inscribed with the words 'Famous Chef'. Tsuzuki went over and obeyed Hisoka's apron.
He wrapped his arms from behind around Hisoka's thin waist and kissed his neck softly. "I like your apron. My favorite color."
The boy struggled slightly in his grip but could only relax at Tsuzuki firm hold. He leaned back and sighed as he flipped over another pancake. "I hate you."
"Oh?" teased Tsuzuki, poking Hisoka's tummy. "You appeared to like me last night."
The boy flushed and choked; while Zenshin began laughing wildly as he scrambled the egg yolk and waited for the sausages to cook. He turned around and said, "I must agree, Hisoka-san, you are louder than you look."
"…"
Tsuzuki laughed and gave Hisoka a squeeze before taking the spatula away from him. With a gentle shove, he took over Hisoka's area in front of the stove. The boy protested by taking the spatula back and whacking the man with his free hand.
"Hey! Only me and Zenshin do the cooking!" he exclaimed, pushing Tsuzuki out of the kitchen.
"But…" began Tsuzuki, trying to stay inside.
"NO! Go with Yukio and watch TV or get dressed!"
"Hisoka…."
"OUT!"
The man gave the boy a quick whimper before finally retreating back upstairs to get dressed.
Zenshin smiled widely and placed some of the prepared food on four plates. He watched Hisoka from the corner of his eye ad he returned to the stove and shut it off.
Zenshin shut the microwave where he had cooked the sausages (since it is faster for him), and took a cloth to wipe his hands off. "Hey, Hisoka-san, why do you act so cruel to Tsuzuki-san? He seems so sweet."
He noticed Hisoka slip on a mitten and lift the end of the pan. He turned and placed the pancakes in a larger plate that was in the middle of the table. "Why do you ask?" he questioned, handing the pan to Zenshin. "Need this for the eggs?"
"Thanks." Zenshin took the pan and took the bowel of egg yolk to finish the eggs. "I don't know," he continued. "I just think it's…rude, to be honest."
Hisoka took of the mitten and replied softly, "You really want to know why Tsuzuki still stays with me even though I act like the way I do?"
"Yes…"
Zenshin heard the other boy sigh and the screech of the chair. Hisoka must have sat himself down.
"Well," began Hisoka, wresting his head in the palm of his hand. "I guess Tsuzuki truly understand everything. I guess…He knows what I've been through and…accepts me for who I am. I try to be nicer now and then for him. But then again…" he paused trying to finish his point. "Opposites attract, I guess."
Zenshin turned around to fix his eyes steadily on Hisoka. He gave a tiny smile and nodded. "You're right. Hey, the eggs will be done soon. Go get Yukio, ne?"
Hisoka nodded and got out of his seat. He untied his apron and slipped off before hanging it beside the refrigerator. Then, he headed to get Yukio.
~*~*~*~
Yukio gave a pleasant sigh as he placed the glass of orange-juice down. "That was delicious! You guys are great cooks!"
Hisoka gave a small nod in a thank you and Zenshin just hugged his older brother in a teasing manner. Beside Zenshin, Tsuzuki finished the last sausage and gulped his milk down, leaving a mustache on his upper lip.
"Mmm!"
Hisoka rolled his eyes and drank his cup of water and set his plate that had previously held a pancake and a sausage in it. Although it was empty now with the exception of a little syrup, Yukio eyed it suspiciously.
"Aren't you going to eat more, chibi?" he asked sweetly.
"No."
Yukio shrugged and stretched his arms over his head before resting them on the back of his head. He leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes, allowing the food to settle in.
Tsuzuki stood up at the same moment Hisoka did and took his plate to the sink. As he turned don the faucet and began rinsing his dish, he asked, "Well, what are we going to do today?"
"Well, Zenshin says you want questions answered, right?" asked Yukio, still keeping his eyes shut.
"Yes." Tsuzuki shut off the faucet and crossed his arms over his chest while facing Yukio. Hisoka and Zenshin had left to go wash up.
The chair squeaked and Yukio sat the chair down and stood up, taking out a cigarette. "Why don't you and Zenshin go our for the day and talk? I'm sure I know where Zenshin is going to take you."
"What about Hisoka?" asked Tsuzuki. He didn't want to leave Hisoka alone here.
Yukio fumbled for a lighter in his pockets. "He'll be with me," he responded, finding a lighter and flicking it on.
Tsuzuki went over and snatched the lighter from the younger man and placed it into his own new fresh pair of loose black pants. "I don't know…"
"Hey, I swore to protect the both of you. I'm sure both you and Zenshin can take care of yourselves, and the boy will be safe with me," he assure Tsuzuki, waiting for his lighter to be returned to him.
"No smoking around him."
Yukio shrugged. "Fine."
Tsuzuki eyed him for a moment and finally broke into a grin. "Okay."
At that time, Zenshin bounced in with Hisoka close behind, his hands in his pockets. "What's the plan?" he asked, standing beside Tsuzuki.
"Me and Zenshin are going out," said Tsuzuki, wrapping one arm around Hisoka's shoulders.
The boy blinked in astonishment and turned his head to meet Zenshin's eyes. Apparently, the other boy already knew of this plan. Hisoka controlled his tongue from snapping at Tsuzuki for leaving him alone.
"You're leaving?" he managed to ask softly
Tsuzuki bent down and kissed Hisoka's partially parted lips. The boy surprisingly shyly responded before pulling back quickly. "I'm sorry, Hisoka. You'll be safe with Yukio."
"YUKIO! NO! I could understand if you wanted to leave me alone but with HIM!" the boy wrenched away from Tsuzuki, who only pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Hisoka, Hisoka…Please, do this for me? I swear he's not going to do anything to you, you know that."
"I know!" shouted Hisoka. "But I can't even hold a conversation with him without him insulting my…youth." As much as he hated to admit he was still a boy, he was angered that he was to be left with that man.
"Hisoka, he'll be nice," said Tsuzuki, placing a tiny kiss on Hisoka's cheek before grabbing his coat near the doorway and opening the door. Zenshin ran out the door first, screaming about buying some ice cream for dessert.
"Good-bye, Hisoka. I'll be back in the evening. I'll bring some dessert." With that, Tsuzuki gave a wink and ran after Zenshin.
The room stood silent as the last two bodies refused to move. Yukio searched around the room, adjusting his eyes on the boy after fixing them around the room. "So…"
The boy suddenly exploded by saying, "I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!"
~*~*~*~
Tsuzuki happily eyed his three-scoop ice cream, as did Zenshin, although he had only one scoop and had already begun eating it. The younger one had gotten a vanilla one while Tsuzuki got, chocolate, dark chocolate, and rocky road, and chocolate chips sprinkle over it.
"This is delicious, eh, Zenshin?" he asked, watching the boy devour his ice cream, as if though it would melt at any second.
The boy only nodded as he continued attacking his ice cream.
The man smiled and enjoyed the silence as the two walked side by side towards no where in particular, in Tsuzuki's mind at least. They passed the large lake, which was occupied with many boys fishing with fathers and grandfathers. And a few girls were chasing each other close by. It appeared as if though there was some sort of large picnic going on.
"Kids are so full of energy. And so cute," muttered Tsuzuki, frowning at the memories of his own tragic childhood.
Zenshin took a bite out of his cone and explained with a slightly muffled tone, "Me too."
"What?" asked Tsuzuki, turning his attention back to the boy.
Zenshin sighed and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his long blue shirt. "Let's go sit at the benched over there near the lake. No one usually goes over there because it's too difficult to climb over the rocks." He pointed towards an area with his finger.
Tsuzuki studied the area and nodded.
They strolled passed the children and adults that occupied the area. One little girl ran up to them and had told her mother that she wanted an ice cream that large. Tsuzuki, noting that the mother told her that it was too far to get one right now, and that he had not began eating his, bent down to meet the girl's eyes.
"Do you want an ice cream?" he asked sweetly, smiling.
The girl nodded slightly and blinked her large golden eyes. "Yes, sir."
Tsuzuki smiled even wider and handed his to her. "You can have mine. I haven't started eating it, yet."
The girl stared at the large cone and practically squealed with joy. She took it gratefully and ran to her mother to show her the large treat. The woman looked up and smiled at Tsuzuki before bowing. He bowed back in return and returned to walk with Zenshin.
The boy was watching Zenshin in bewilderment at the sudden action and couldn't help but blurt out, "You gave up your ice cream."
"She was hungry," said Tsuzuki, shrugging.
Zenshin chuckled and took the last bite of his cone. "We're almost there."
They walked for a few more minutes before reaching the edge of the lake at one point where no one neared. Zenshin took this time to search around himself to make sure no one was in sight and, when confirming his noting, he kneeled on the grass. He reached out his arm and placed it into the water. For a moment Tsuzuki watched his wrist twitch as if though searching for something.
"Got it," whispered Zenshin as his wrist gave a forward twitch.
Before Tsuzuki could ask anything, rocks began reaching the surface of the water becoming a pathway towards a dark shaded area that could barely be seen. As the rocks reached the surface slightly, Zenshin began stepping on them quickly, heading towards the right as the path lead to the dark area, hidden by the shade of a tree with thick leaves.
"Come," he instructed to Tsuzuki.
"I thought we were going to the benches." Tsuzuki fumbled to walk on the rocks, but struggled due to that they were difficult to see.
Zenshin hushed him with a hiss and they continued skipping the rocks until they reached the end. Both leapt off so that they touched the grass once more. Zenshin pushed Tsuzuki so that he stumbled into the darker shaded area. He watched Zenshin lean upward and tugged on one of the branched of the trees, which triggered the rocks to hide once again beneath the dark liquid.
"What was that?" asked Tsuzuki, feeling that it was safe.
Again, Zenshin spun to face him and placed a finger to his lips. He signaled Tsuzuki to following him with his hand and they began heading pass the tree. It was only approximately five feet until Tsuzuki bumped into Zenshin. He studied his surroundings and noticed that they were behind the large wide tree.
Zenshin turned around and gently passed by Tsuzuki. He brought a hand up and reached out until he touched the bark of the tree. Then, with a swift motion, he traced a star on it. Tsuzuki watched with shock as the same star shape that was made my Zenshin's hand became bright silver on the bark.
"Zenshin…What…"
Zenshin raised his other hand, silencing Tsuzuki. The man had the urge to leave, but stayed. After the star faded away the bark shifted and a small screen replaced it. Tsuzuki stepped to the side to read what the screen read. Please enter password.
Tsuzuki blinked and fidgeted. Zenshin used his index finger to spell out a word on the screen. With quite some effort, Tsuzuki noticed that he wasn't able to read the word. But soon letters scanned over the screen once more. Confirmation, please. Then, the words 'yes' and 'no' ran under the precious command. Zenshin chose 'no'.
With a groan, Tsuzuki turned to check if anyone was able to notice this area. It appeared that no one would ever notice this place. Even though they were going over rocks, people from afar would think that they were walking down the road because it ran in the same direction as the rock path lead.
He turned back and noticed that Zenshin had entered in one more thing and set his arms to the side. Finally, the bark completed shifted and there was a small doorway now leading inside.
Zenshin called over his shoulder, "When you enter, do not speak yet. Keep silent until I say so." He began walking inside, with Tsuzuki following.
Once they entered, the bark returned back into its spot, giving Tsuzuki a tiny start. He sighed as they began walking downward on large steps, torches lighting the way as they passed.
It only took a matter of time before they reached a door. Zenshin knocked lightly on the door three times. He paused. Then, knocked two more times. They both waited in silence. After a moment passed, the door creaked open. Tsuzuki peered over Zenshin's shoulder and saw that a large black dog had opened the door.
"Good job, Kuro," whispered Zenshin as they entered. He kneeled down and ruffled the dog's neck, which earned him a slobbering lick on the face.
Tsuzuki looked around and was impressed. It was like a very own small home. The only difference was that there were a lot of technology instruments around the area. Also, the place seemed rather old style. Crystals, orb-like balls, and staffs surrounded the room and hung around everywhere.
Thinking he could speak now, Tsuzuki asked, "Where are we?"
"Our small hideout. We don't really live here. We do our research here."
"Where do you live?" Tsuzuki asked, sitting himself in one of the red armchairs. It was very comfortable.
Zenshin shrugged and turned the corner of a doorway not too far from where Tsuzuki sat. He turned his head to the side and saw a small window shape area carved in the middle of the wall. He was able to see Zenshin through it. The clatter of dishes caused Tsuzuki to think it was a small kitchen.
Zenshin reached up and took a can from a cabinet above the sink. "We don't live anywhere," he answered eventually. "We're always traveling around and too busy to really call it our home."
"What about the dog?" asked Tsuzuki, as he began patting the dog's head once it had place its paws on Tsuzuki's lap.
"He's extremely well trained. Er-well, it's a spell actually, to be honest. We needed someone to guard the area, but we couldn't trust any being. So, I thought of our pet, Kuro. He was loyal; however, we had doubts that he may forget a command. Well, that's where Anthony came in again. He placed some sort of spell so that the dog had a slight hint of human intelligence." He opened the can with a can opener and began pouring it in a bowl.
Tsuzuki chuckled as the dog brought a small blue ball in his teeth and dropped it beside Tsuzuki. He wanted to play fetch. The man studied the ball and noticed its heavy weight. With more effort than you would have with a regular ball, Tsuzuki tossed it lightly towards the other side of the room. "Why not give it a complete human mind?"
"If we did that, he may have the thought of greed and rebellion, as most humans have. We couldn't risk it," he heard Zenshin answer as he came out of the kitchen. "He's not smart enough to rebel but he's smart enough to feed himself." He pointed to a large rectangular shape machine. It was divided in half with two levers at the bottom of each. One side said 'water' the other 'food'.
"Impressive. But if it has a human mind, can't it learn more just like any mind?" Tsuzuki felt as if though he was being nosy, but he wanted to know!
"I doubt it. But that's not my area of interest. I'm…well, me." Zenshin grinned and placed the bowl down. "But in either case, every dog still likes a good treat every now and then."
The dog wagged its tail violently and practically jumped into the bowl, taking mass gulps at a time. Both Tsuzuki and Zenshin laughed.
"Well, now," began Zenshin as he took the other seat across from Tsuzuki. "Questions to answer."
Tsuzuki nodded. "What's the main problem here?"
"The kidnapping of people who never asked to be 'gifted'."
Tsuzuki thought for a moment and then asked, "What are the new smaller problems that have come up since me and Hisoka came?"
Zenshin appeared to hesitate but responded, "Hisoka's ability, which YUKIO should have researched, and Anthony's betrayal."
"Speaking of him, I want to know everything about the people you're against at this time," said Tsuzuki, leaning forward with his hands on his knees.
The boy sighed deeply. "James is a master of disguise, which basically means he can even…morph in some way."
"How is that possible?"
Zenshin lifted his narrow shoulders in a small shrug. "Anything is possible when dealing with Rosa. But from what I know, he sold his soul to have this ability. He gave it to Rosa, somehow. If he even disobeys her in one way, she crushed his soul, wherever it is, and he immediately becomes soulless…Perhaps he may die."
"But he may still live?" Tsuzuki suggested.
Zenshin pulled a disgusted face and turned away, eyes fixed on the dog. "I'd rather die both ways. Living a life knowing that your soul is no longer yours is a curse. And living without living is Hell itself. You feel nothing, you know nothing, and you have no memory, no emotions…no reason to live. Just a body walking around."
Tsuzuki thought it best to keep shut and change the subject. "What about the others?"
"Anthony is a traitor, Rosa is Satan's wife, and Yukio is an ass."
"Yukio? You're against him?"
Zenshin shook his head and laughed. "No. I just needed to add that in," he said.
Tsuzuki chuckled, having to agree with the comment. Before either of them had the chance to stop laughing, a beeping was set off. Both turned their attention behind Zenshin and noticed one of the computer-like machines flashing red.
"What on earth…" Zenshin stood up and sprinted quickly before the device. He began typing numerous codes, cursing every once in a while. He turned his attention to the larger computer on his right and began typing a few letters. A map appeared on the large screen and a red dot appeared to be tracing someone's tracks. Zenshin cursed loudly.
"What is it?" asked Tsuzuki, bolting up.
Zenshin sighed and narrowed his eyes over his shoulder. "It seems as if though another interference has come surprisingly. Someone, but not one of Rosa's men, is on the attack."
"What? Who?"
" Not sure. But they're heading towards the area Yukio and Hisoka are at," he said.
Tsuzuki had already bolted through the door and began running up the hall.
Zenshin cried out after him, "Tsuzuki! We don't know what's waiting there! We must have a plan!"
"I made a promise the day I confessed my love to him. I swore that I will never allow anything harm to come near him! I'm not going to break that promise!" he cried back, going out the hidden door and summoning Byakko with great speed.
"Tsuzuki!" Zenshin cried out, but it was too late. By the time he reached the opening, Byakko had taken off into the air, hidden in the clouds, with Tsuzuki riding.
"Damn it! Why do I always have to work with people that only attack with passion instead of the mind!" he cursed and stormed back in, preparing to follow the man.
~*~*~*~
A/N: Well that's done! Next chapter is…well, the next chapter. About the dog being named Kuro, I just chose that name because it's the same name as my pet crow (yes, a crow. He became our pet. He loves me =P) Anyway, thank you to all those who review! I still have to find the file with the Valentines Day gift.
