He's BACK!

A/N: Encourage me with your reviews! It's been doing great wonders for me to continue writing knowing people actually enjoy my work! Thank you all very much! And for that, I added in an extra twist that I wasn't planning to do now, but either way would work. ^_^ Thank you again so much!

Elf-chan: Hisoka Doll was brilliant XD

~*~*~*~

The Warlock smiled wickedly at the pleasure he received from the boy's resistance to his orders. Speaking mentally with the boy was slightly difficult, since he was not fully at his peak in absolute strength. Not until one more year.

He had construed this to Rosa, whom he highly disliked. She constantly had badgered him about why he wanted the boy now if he could not touch him for another time. He reluctantly gave in to her, even though he knew if he had told her to back off she would obey, just to shut the woman up from trying to ask the question in an indirect manner.

He simply told her that his pets would prepare the boy for a ceremony like no other that would consist of a few months. Besides, the boy's loved one suffering at the Warlock's feet, both from dying of physical pain not even a Shinigami would survive and the thought of the lost of Hisoka, was an opportunity none could miss.

He watched through the magical scene before him. It portrayed whatever a certain raven was seeing right outside the hotel the boy was in. Cautiously, and slightly frightened still, Hisoka had approached the sleeping man and was to strike him at any anxious moment.

"Do it…" he whispered softly.

"Shit!" cried Anthony.

The Warlock spun around to realize Anthony had ceased his chanting and was panting thickly with his hand clutching his chest in a painful grip.

"What is it?" demanded the Warlock.

The man puffed with a strong desire to get some air. He gasped, "Some…something was placed around the room they're in…"

The Warlock sneered and began stomping towards Anthony. "Someone's created a barrier to prevent you from casting any spells?"

Anthony nodded slowly.

"Ch' pathetic. It must be Zenshin. He must have left a barrier behind as he escaped when he realized your…betrayal."

Although his head was lowered, the Warlock knew Anthony was smirking.

"You truly are the wisest and most powerful being ever," he whispered standing with his recovery complete within seconds.

"That I am, I say. Yet one should take into high consideration that I have no intention of ruling this pathetic excuse for a planet to inhabit," the Warlock began, watching as the scene began to fade away and the strong scent also drift off into a nothing. He strolled about with his face back to Anthony. "I want nothing of that sort, although Rosa may think differently of me."

Anthony nodded in agreement collapsing comfortable into the pillows and silk of his so-called resting area. He could sense that his spell has worn off. "She thinks you're going to dominate the world while she controls the humans with…normal abilities."

"Normal is such an over rated expression. Speak is what we all may do. If not, living and dying. All of the doleful cycle that is part of you all. I, on the contrary, am not human for one," the Warlock responded with a chuckle.

"No? I thought you were," Anthony suggested.

"Oh no! Of course, I have the appearance of a human. But, that is none of your concern. I want Hisoka by tonight."

"What! We don't…"

The Warlock's stiff shoulders silence Anthony. For he knew that when the Warlock was angered, he would physically give that appearance by tensing. "Of course. What shall I do?" he quickly inquired, relieved as the Warlock began to relax.

The tension died off quickly. "I want to speak with Asato face to face. Send a message," the creature responded coldly. "Since you cannot use that of your own pets, use one of mine.

At the snap of the Warlock's fingers, a creature, the size of a human emerged beside his master's side obediently. It had massive threatening deathly dark wings of a dragon or bat. It was indeed part human like actually. With the structure of the human body, with long snow hair tied back tightly. Its eyes were frighteningly crimson, obviously in a trance. Sharp claws were concealed by long robe sleeves and as was his face, which was covered with cloth that wrapped to the top of its head. With the slight characteristic of transparency, the cloth would give hint that behind it lied fangs.

"Call him Kyouji. I can't allow his real name to be spoken for he is well known by now, I'm sure."

Anthony examined the creature closely from where he lied. "Was he once a human and you placed a curse on him?"

"He's not human. He's like me," the Warlock explained as he stroked his pet's silk hair. "Use him. He will obey your commands," he added shortly turning away. "Tell Rosa that if I don't have him by midnight tonight, which is the beginning of the fourth day, I will kill every single person here without a thought."

"Your wishes will be done," assured Anthony, sweating slightly from the nervous reacting he was receiving from being around the Warlock too long. Before he left completely, though, he called out to the Warlock. "Where will you be?"

The Warlock did not cease his speed at which he walked. "Where Asato's response will be. You have less than three hours."

~*~*~*~

Hisoka gasped in shock as Suzaku harshly shoved him over the couch, sending them both tumbling over. They wrestled for some time before Tatsumi and Watari rushed in, both taking a grip on the boy's flailing arms. The boy grunted with such violent struggles, yet still unable to land a blow.

"Release me!" he screamed.

By this time, Tsuzuki had also awakened but was in confusion as to what was happening. He had only awakened from a loud thump from the room at some point.

"Hisoka?" Tsuzuki asked standing not even realizing that the coats were there to begin with.

Amazingly the boy had now gone limp and was breathing with a struggle. He lifted his head to see Tsuzuki's form. "I…I did it again," he admitted, voice cracking with a hint of shame.

Tatsumi and Watari released Hisoka and carefully aided him to sit down as comfy as possible. Suzaku took this time to dust herself off and jerk out the knife that was twisted into her shoulder. She analyzed the hotel and then went into the kitchen to place the weapon away.

Tsuzuki blinked up at the sight of his friend's arrival. "Tatsumi! Watari! Suzaku! What on earth is going on?" he asked in a panicking tone, setting down beside his partner. He gently caressed Hisoka's back, trying to help the boy to breathe properly.

"All right, let's settle down first," ordered Tatsumi, his comment mainly at the pair of lovers. "First, let's tend to Suzaku's wound."

"Ah, It'll be all right in no time. It's not too big of a scratch anyway," she cheerfully announced returning. The wound was surprisingly barely noticeable and was almost completely healed as well.

Tatsumi seemed to agree for he continued on. "It appears we arrived just in time to witness one of Kurosaki-kun's attacks."

"Obviously," Watari drawled, trying to lighten the moment up. He kneeled down to examine the trembling Hisoka. "How you felling, kid?"

Hisoka swallowed and shook his head. "I couldn't fight it this time. It was completely…frightening."

Watari softly placed a gentle hand to the forehead, checking for any unusual high temperature. "Normal," he confirmed.

Placing a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, Tsuzuki frowned. "I didn't even know. I don't think it's been as bad as where he actually tried to…kill me."

The words only worsened the shocking body of Hisoka. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "If only…I had been stronger…I—"

"Kurosaki-kun, blaming yourself isn't helping you. Nor any of us for that matter. It was not your fault," Tatsumi assured very gently. He noted Watari and his bags were still beside the door, which was partially open. Suzaku must have noticed as well for she stood up and went to shut it.

She paused staring at the knob. "It's broken," she said. The lock had cracked.

Watari coughed. "Well," he explained nervously, "We thought something was wrong because no one could hear us so we had to break it."

"We can fix it," Tsuzuki guaranteed, eyes on Watari's inspection.

"That we can," said Tatsumi, leaning back to adjust his glasses.

Watari chuckled slightly and suggested, "Tsuzuki, you really are a deep sleeper, ne?"

He raised his happy eyes to find his good fiend blushing at the comment. From shame or humiliation, Watari could not tell. He then simply stood up and placed his hands on his hips.

"Well," he began, "there seems to be nothing wrong with him at the moment. He's in shock is all I can confirm. Any suggestions on what to do?"

Tatsumi was first to respond. "I suggest that we settle ourselves down and sleep. It's evening time and we will need discussion tomorrow with details. For now, we should relax."

Everyone appeared to agree.

Tsuzuki was about to speak, when there was a blinding glow. Within seconds Touda and a cheerful Byakko stood in their human form within the center of the living room. All stared at them for a moment, the arrival clearly unexpected.

"Hello!" cried Byakko waving at everyone and embracing Tsuzuki tightly. "We were told by Tsuzuki to come before midnight and we were getting bored, so we dropped in." He smiled widely flashing a charming cat grin.

"Correction, you were bored. I was completely fine were I was," Touda substantiated, crossing his arms.

Tsuzuki smiled warmly at his Shikis and returned Byakko's tight bear hug. "Thank you for coming." His smiled returned to a frown.

Touda looked down at Tsuzuki and asked, "What is it?"

Suzaku, who had already returned to sitting on the seat, interrupted. "Hisoka-chan tried to kill Tsuzuki-san," she said sadly and a too calmly. Her wound was gone by this point.

Instantly, Byakko gasped and both he and Touda stared at the doleful sight before them of Tsuzuki's young partner. Hisoka was leaning forward, head dangling down with Tsuzuki's arm around him tightly. Although his expression not visible, they could tell he was depressed and ashamed.

"Are you hurt?" asked Touda, only interested if Tsuzuki was fairing fine.

Tsuzuki shook his head. "Suzaku stopped him." He lifted Hisoka's body higher so that the boy could comfortably lean into his body.

"I don't mean to interrupt," said Watari apologetically, "but where are Zenshin and Yukio?"

Hisoka finally was the one to speak. "Zenshin was wounded. Arisa taken again. Yukio came back with him. Asleep upstairs," he mumbled, eyes becoming focused once more.

Tatsumi's eyes narrowed. "They're, as in Rosa and her gang, becoming much more aggressive," he said softly. He turned his attention on Tsuzuki. "Tsuzuki, try to get some sleep with Kurosaki-kun, understood? Don't worry so much about anything else at the moment. We'll sort things out in the morning for sure."

"We all need to rest up," agreed Watari. "Me and Tatsumi will sleep next door where we rented a room."

"Why are your bags here, though?" asked Suzaku, indicating at the four bags adjacent to the door.

Tatsumi shrugged and stood up. "We came by here first to see how everyone was doing. Obviously not too well. Make sure you assign which Shiki will stay with Kurosaki-kun, Tsuzuki."

Watari headed with Tatsumi and got their belongings. "Sorry about the door. We'll be here early tomorrow morning. Give a shout if you need anything." He smiled and waved as they left.

By this time, Hisoka had regained most of his thoughts together. "I don't like how quickly things are going, Tsuzuki. Something awful is going to occur. I know it," he whispered once the other two had left.

"Shh," said Tsuzuki, resting his head atop Hisoka's. "It's all right."

"What the hell is going on down here?" shouted a voice from the stairs.

All turned their attention to a grumpy and exhausted appearing Yukio, struggling to make his way down the steps.

"Yukio, what are you doing up?"

Yukio stretched and gave a yawn as he made the last step with a slight stumble. "I heard screaming or something. And-ah!" He had gotten a glimpse of the Shiki around the room.

"Hi!" saluted Byakko, grinning as his tail flicked itself repeatedly against the floor.

Yukio laughed nervously but nodded in greeting. "These must be your Shikigami, eh, Tsuzuki?"

Tsuzuki didn't bother to respond.

"Something happened here?" Yukio proposed eyeing all that occupied the room. Something else caught his eye in the process of his inspection. "Why is the door broken?"

With a sigh and an oncoming headache, Tsuzuki quietly mumbled a 'yes, something happened'. He asked Yukio to set himself down while he explained the details that were not of the pleasant category.

After with his lecture, Yukio blinked and groaned loudly. "Damn you Anthony! Damn them all!" he shouted.

Hisoka grimaced at the loud shouts (he rolled his eyes though). Realizing how close his body was to his lover, Hisoka shifted away from Tsuzuki flushing. It slightly irritated him being so close to the man when company was around.

Tsuzuki smiled, ignoring Yukio's constant groaning and whining, and watched Hisoka out of his eye. At least the boy was beginning to act like himself once again. But for how long, was what worried Tsuzuki.

"Byakko," he said at last, "You stay with Hisoka. You'd probably get along better with him than the others."

Byakko cheered and glomped himself onto Hisoka tightly. The boy protested by trying to shake off the cat like beast, but to no avail.

"Are you saying I'm not friendly?" pouted Suzaku.

Touda glared at her. "You're obviously obnoxious and irritating."

"Take that back!" cried Suzaku.

Tsuzuki chuckled. "Calm down everyone. No, it's not that Suzaku. Byakko has just been better acquainted with Hisoka and I thought it would make him feel better."

Hisoka blushed slightly but shook his head away, preventing Tsuzuki from noticing. Just as he did, Yukio cried out and stood up with amazing speed for a human.

"What is it?" asked Byakko detaching himself from Hisoka.

Yukio narrowed his eyes. His attention was outside the patio. "Quiet," he demanded. He began pacing towards the glass doors that were covered with curtains. The fluttered madly although there was no hint of a breeze.

Hisoka gasped when he saw a shadowy figure walk across the patio swiftly. He gulped and stood up, bracing himself for the worst. Whatever it was, it had no thoughts to be read. But the condition outside was abnormal.

Tsuzuki growled and prepared himself like the others, waiting for Yukio's first action.

The young man stopped as he reached the curtains and took a grip on them tightly. His hand shook with a hint of a nervous feeling bolting through his body. Nausea hit him hard at the same time.

With a grunt he shoved the curtains aside and threw open the glass doors.

Everyone gasped, with the exception of Touda, in alarm as a figure gracefully fled into the room at the exact moment with wings.

With such speed, no one had any time to register the creature as it snatched Hisoka and sped off just as quickly. Before he reached the exit, Touda came instantly before him and aimed a perfect kick to the beast's stomach. It howled in agony yet did not release its grip on the struggling boy.

"Tsuzuki!" he cried, trying to break free.

Not being able to stand the boy's squirming, the beast snapped it's claw like fingers and Hisoka gave a croak that was mean to be a scream, and went into a deep slumber.

Tsuzuki growled angrily and ordered Byakko to attack.

Byakko gave a roar and pounced onto the figure, only to meet up with a deadly shield. He cried out in pain and was tossed into the ocean's depths.

Because of its abnormal agility to avoid any obstacle, no one could place a face or any characteristic of the beast (it would not allow itself to remain in one location for more than a second could). And due to the darkness, it made things twice as difficult. Not even the moon against the rippling water proved of any use.

Suzaku took out her enormous sword and slashed it through the air, only receiving a hiss in response. The beast had vanished.

"What?" she gasped. That's all she had managed to speak before her body was thrown in the same direction as Byakko.

And just as Byakko was reaching the surface, Suzaku collided right into him, sending them both into the ocean with a cry.

The beast refused any more delay and leapt outside, avoiding an attack from Tsuzuki, Yukio, and Touda as he exited.

"Shit! Impossible!" cried Yukio. They all raced out to watch the beast's form blur out of view. A raven cried out from where it was perched atop the hotel and extended its wings and took off in the direction the beast did.

"HISOKA!"

Tsuzuki was about to take pursuit before Yukio's arm caught his.

"No! No matter what, do not follow him! You'll only fall into a trap!" Yukio warned.

Tsuzuki protested by twisting his arm free. "I have to save Hisoka!" he insisted.

"We will," promised Touda, who was currently lifting something into his hand from the ground. "Read this," he instructed to Tsuzuki. "That thing left it behind. It's for you."

Tsuzuki bit his lip knowing the urge to chase after Hisoka was all he cared about. Hesitantly taking the envelope into his possession. He tore open the seal and unfolded the letter within.

It was indeed addressed to him. It read in strange handwriting:

Concerning Asato Tsuzuki:

Something of great importance concerning our dear Hisoka is at my possession. I wish to

speak with you of these circumstances. You will find me at the closest restaurant of

your current domicile. Alone and waiting, is what I shall be. I trust you will make the

correct decision in favor of Hisoka to come alone. You have exactly five minutes before I

shall part from where I stand.

An Old Friend

Tsuzuki's teeth gritted against one another. How dare this person speak of "our" Hisoka in such a mocking tone. He knew someone was toying with him, and he wouldn't stand of it. Quickly he shoved the letter into his pocket and snatched his coat, slipping it on.

Byakko and Suzaku sputtered helplessly from the water that had entered their lungs. They began ascending towards the shallow area and leaping over the small wall to enter the patio again.

"Where are you going?" asked a drenched Byakko.

"Out. Don't bother to get Tatsumi and Watari unless I tell you to. I'll be back shortly," he instructed, exiting with a quick pace that soon turned into a jog. He had not time for a response.

~*~*~*~

Tsuzuki's premonition was begging him to stay behind and ask for the others help. But his heart tugged on him to continue forward and speak with this person…or creature, perhaps.

He continued a steady jog and took a glance at his watch. It was already 10:30. And no one person occupied the area. Many people were probably at the bars on the other side by this time or asleep.

He swore that whatever scheme these people were planning with Hisoka, he would not allow his partner to be taken. And that's when it hit him! The conversation with Yukio he had earlier throughout the day reared back into his mind.

"Hisoka must be given as a sacrifice!"

They took Hisoka as the sacrifice! Tsuzuki cursed at himself for not even pondering that they would take him sooner than the day of the attack. He began to sprint.

When he reached the restaurant the Hisoka and he had previously ate at, one form was there. It stood underneath a large tree, arms crossed from what Tsuzuki could tell.

"You…." gasped Tsuzuki, regaining his breath. "Where's Hisoka!" he managed to demand.

The form chuckled and appeared from underneath the tree, stepping into the light of the moon and the current street lamps. He was in a black robe with a large good, concealing his face. But his eyes could not conceal the glistened mischief within them.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Tsuzuki," it said.

Tsuzuki narrowed his eyes. "You're the Warlock they've spoken of."

"Still not as dumb as you look," was the response.

The same tone of the sentence brought a familiar face to mind. He kept quiet, however, waiting for the Warlock to continue. Besides, that thought was impossible.

"Looking for Hisoka? Or wondering who I am? Don't you remember?" it asked mockingly.

Tsuzuki clenched his fists together.

He knew it was smiling evilly at his torment and anxiety. Before Tsuzuki demanded an explanation once again, the creature began removing its hood slowly.

"Perhaps you will recognize me better in his condition," it suggested, its hood completely removed.

Tsuzuki's eyes widened in horror at the figure the stood before him. Painful images of the past came to mind, as his thoughts of the impossible were true. He gasped and took a step back in alarm.

"Miyuki Kyomeito."

~*~*~*~

A/N: Anyone expecting THAT? ^_^