Chapter 8
"Is everything all set?" The doctor asked Rei in a slow lilting voice. He appraised the boy before him from head to toe before taking a long drag from his cigarette. He waited patiently for the desired answer.
The boy meanwhile, cowered as if he was afraid he'd do something wrong. He was shifting his weight from one foot to another, ducking his head as he did so.
"Yes." Rei said in low, hushed voice. He can't still believe how much power the doctor has over him. He would be like this all the time whenever he was with him. No self confidence, no self esteem, no whatsoever. All he could feel was apprehension. Apprehension, that one little careless mistake might drive the doctor away from him.
"Good boy." His companion said as he inches closer to Rei to put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly in a show of appreciation. Like one of those rare times he'd feel brave or maybe stupid, Rei allowed himself to look at the doctor straight in the eye.
His breath hitches as he saw the man with platinum silver hair smile at him. This is the first time that a smile has been directed to him, and it pleased him as hell. Because in all the weeks he had known the man, he would only smile when he talks of his plan, of his Tsuzuki that he barely had time to look at Rei.
The boy knew he was being used, but he didn't give a fuck. All he knows is that he'll just die if he can't be with him, the only person who ever cared for him. And he can't lose him. Never. Not unless he can't help it.
The doctor just came at the right time. Just when he needed a savior. Just when he thought all was lost and the only solution was…….. Suicide. It was the only thing Rei could think of to save him from the pain and the burden. But then the doctor came and he was saved.
When Rei first saw the doctor, he thought he was dreaming. He came to sight after all, by that magnificent blinding white light. He then emerged looking the angel he was and took the boy from his father's ruthless grasp.
That was by far the happiest day of Rei Akiko's life. To be freed from the abuse and the harassment from his father was his greatest dream.
So when the doctor asked him to make sure Hisoka follows his every whim, he readily agreed. Even if it meant fooling the blond beauty and leading him right into the doctor's hands. It was after all, the pay back for all the nice things the doctor has given him.
"Now, remember that I need Hisoka down there at exactly 5 pm. Do you hear me?" Rei nodded up and down, the doctor smiled yet again. Probably from the joy of manipulating another life so easily or probably from the joy of anticipating.
"I know. I won't let you down." The boy says yet again as he finally sets down his gaze.
"You won't hurt Hisoka right?" The boy asked after an afterthought. He was after all; kind of fond of Hisoka and the doctor did promise him that he will never hurt him. He didn't like the idea of him being an accomplice to something so gruesome such as killing.
"Of course, I won't." He said with a flick of his hand, as if dismissing the idea as plain ridiculous. Rei sighed in relief. He was guessing at one time or the other, that there is more to what the doctor is saying to him. Oh you know, that he just needed Hisoka for a medical experiment of his……… And that will benefit the society or whatever.
But then Rei would notice the mad gleam in the doctor's eyes whenever he mentions Hisoka's name. It was unnerving and very scary. He felt the doctor shift, and place his arms over Rei in a fatherly kind of way.
"Now look upward and tell your little boyfriend you've been chatting with your little ole grandpa. And smile." The doctor added hastily but then allowed himself to smirk.
"But…….. I thought you don't want to be seen by him…?" Rei asked a little confused.
"Trust me and just do what I say." The man said his voice as cool as ice. Rei did as he was told and tries as hard as he could to smile and wave cheerily.
"Hisoka!! What do you think about my game?!!" The boy hollered loudly as he bounces up and down. He was surprised that the doctor didn't move from his spot. Holding onto him, arms over his shoulders. He was sure he distinctly remembered the doctor saying that Hisoka should not see him at all costs.
It took all of Rei's acting skills to pretend he's very happy when in fact he was really nervous. Hisoka on the other hand looked as if he had seen a ghost. He was holding onto the railing for dear life and he was as white as the clouds above. He gestured slowly to the doctor beside him.
Rei took a deep breath and smiled as wide as he could.
"You mean, grandpa??!! He's here to watch my game. Cool huh???!!" He hollered back at Hisoka as he looks at the man at his side. He was a hell lot a surprised that an elderly man was holding onto him instead. He was sure the doctor never did remove his arms……
"Hisoka!! Come down here and meet my grandpa!! He says he's been wanting to meet you!!" Rei yelled confidently. Now that the doctor wasn't there for a distraction he can act like his old self. Full of himself, genki and confident.
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Hisoka's POV
One look at Rei's companion is enough for me to recognize who it was. I'll recognize that silver hair and immaculate white robes anywhere. And that pure white color always bid me bad news. You know why? Because it's Muraki's trademark color.
Ironic huh? A bad guy wearing white, which almost always symbolizes purity, goodness……….. Or just about anything Muraki is not.
As always, I freeze at the sight of him. I've hold onto the railing as hard as I could and told myself over and over to keep it together. If I didn't hold onto something I'm sure I would've passed out cold.
I don't know why I act this way. Every time I see him, that Muraki bastard, I'm thrown back to the scene of 3 years ago under the Sakura tree and that bloody red moon.
Then I would suddenly feel that hot searing pain Muraki had inflicted upon me and could distinctly feel Muraki's hands invading my body, sending shivers of terror into my very being. Maybe that's why…….. I thought irrationally as my breath hitches as I continued to watch Rei talk to that man.
I must've spaced out, probably staring holes at Muraki's head when Rei called my name.
"Oi, Hisoka??!" Rei, the big mouth, called me. I looked at him blankly, as if he was out of his mind. I'm still shaken at the sight of Muraki that even if my mind told me to answer back, I can't. It's as if a golf ball has been stuck in my throat, preventing me to speak. All I could do was to point at Muraki like mad.
It barely registered to me that Rei shouted several other things……. Only one thing he's said has reached my thick, clouded head. Come meet my grandpa.
Huh? I thought to myself dazedly, as that harsh, cold aura suddenly disappears. My senses come back to life as I realize that beside Rei, beside him the whole time was a kindly old man. He had silver hair, or rather gray hair…… I thought, still confused.
I focus my eyes at the old man again and register that he; yes he, wears a white robe too. I shake my head to clear my foggy thoughts out.
I laughed to myself mentally, when I realized my stupidity. It wasn't Muraki after all!!! I mean, it was so stupid of me to presume that it was only Muraki who wears white robes and has silver hair!!! Old men and women had gray hair, if they didn't dye it of course, and gray is a close call to silver. Especially over long sight distances.
I took a deep breath and calmed my racing heart. I let out a tiny smile to relieve the stress I am feeling. You know its good exercise or practice to laugh at yourself once in a while. I heard that it is a great stress reliever.
But then a shadow crossed on my face again as I made my way down the bleachers to meet up with Rei. The harsh, cold aura…….. I didn't imagine it. I'm sure I've felt it. I thought to myself, frantic once again. I organize my thoughts.
If I did feel it then Muraki was really here. But he wasn't obviously with Rei. This would mean he's snooping around once again or that he really is the man behind the murders of the students.
I quicken my pace and as I rid myself of all the foreboding thoughts. If he really is the man behind those murders, then so be it. I'll face him later, I know I can……One day, maybe…... But not now.
But then could I really face him? On my own? I frowned as I finally descended the bleachers and was met by an ecstatic Rei, gurgling in happiness and blabbering that he's so excited to show me his beach house as promised.
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Tatsumi's POV
Okay, I know I'm sulking and I'm bailing on my and Tsuzuki-san's case assignment, but I can't help it. Ever since I had told him, told Tsuzuki that I had feelings for him once…….. It came washing over me again.
All I could think of and was aware of was Tsuzuki's presence. How I liked the idea of him and me being partners again. I sighed and stared blankly outside Watari and Hisoka's apartment.
Sure I was excited at first that the violet eyed shinigami broke his partnership with Kurosaki-kun. I thought I had him all to myself, especially since Kachou assigned us to be temporary partners.
But then as the days passed by, I know that hoping for him to forget Kurosaki-kun is just plain useless. Even if I showered him with attention, give him the support he needs……. It's impossible. I'll never have a place in his heart for more than friendship.
I sighed yet again and put my chin on the back of my hand, waiting patiently for Watari to come home.
I know full well that Watari had classes and will not be back till 7 pm. But then Tsuzuki urged me to go on ahead, even if it was only 10 am then, naturally I agreed and went on ahead.
It made me guilty for just a little bit. We had absolutely no leads on the assignment and I left Tsuzuki-san all alone to find even just one. I know it's not fair, but I know in my heart that unless I figured myself out, I won't be able to do anything useful.
I looked at the clock and was surprised that it's already 7 pm. I had been here since 11 am and had done nothing but sulk and tap my fingers occasionally. Now that I thought about that………. My muscles are getting kind of sore from all that sitting.
I stood up and stretched. Now that's much better. I thought to myself as I heard the door open. Instinctively I turned to see who it was. I smirk to myself. Of course I know full well who it was. Watari.
"Ta-Tat-Tasumi!!!" Watari exclaimed as he did a double take. I had to chuckle at his sight. He was gawking at me like he had seen an enemy ghost. He had his mouth wide open that I thought it almost reached the ground, and his glasses had fallen from his face. Now he's adorable.
I frown to myself as Watari continues to gawk. Where had that thought come from?! I shook my head and tried to keep my mind on the matter at hand. Just for Tsuzuki's sake, I will keep my promise and I will try as hard as I can to at least build the lost friendship of Kurosaki-kun and Tsuzuki-san.
"Watari-san, how long do you intend to stay like that?" I ask him languidly as I took a seat. He finally shuts his mouth and replaced his glasses.
"Not long, I suppose." Watari chuckles as he removes his blazer and took a seat opposite me.
"So what brings you here? I thought you and Tsuzuki had an assignment?" He inquires me further.
"I'm here to explain the situation between Tsuzuki-san and I." Watari ducked his head.
"I don't want to hear anything about it." He says quietly, carefully avoiding my gaze.
"You will hear what I have to say. Though I know for a fact, that you won't like what I'll be saying." Watari looked at me angrily.
"Don't give me that shit, Tatsumi! I know for a fact, that you too don't like the things you will be saying! Why are you doing this to yourself?!" He exclaimed, getting all red in the face. I had to calm myself before talking. He really hit my sensitive spot.
"I'm doing this for myself, Watari-san. It's futile to hope for something that is impossible. I'm helping myself for a fact."
"Helping yourself……. What a fuck. And it's not that impossible." Watari mumbled more to himself than to me.
"Will you open your eyes Watari-san? Those two are madly in love!! Though Kurosaki-kun wouldn't admit it."
"No he's not. He hates Tsuzuki! You know after that little incident. I don't believe you two had the nerve to……….." I silence him with a glare.
"Now that is the thing I'm here to explain for." I said slowly, giving weight to each of the words. Watari kept his mouth shut and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Kurosaki-kun misunderstood that situation. He and I are not………." Hmmmm…… how do I tell this without being embarrassed? I could feel my cheeks starting to get hot.
"Kissing?" Watari supplied, smirking.
"You may put it at that. Well…….. Tsuzuki just caught something in his eye and I was just aiding him to get it out of his eyes."
"Do you think you have convinced me?" Watari said lazily.
"Yes." I tell him. Watari just looked at me straight in the eye. He contemplated for a few minutes before sighing.
"Okay. I believe you. So what are we going to do now?"
"I finished my job. I do hope you do yours." I say. He grinned at me mischievously.
"What job?"
"Don't give me that face Watari-san! You'll be explaining to Kurosaki-kun since you didn't give Tsuzuki the leisure to do so." Now it's my time to smirk as I see him frown.
"Okay. You don't have to remind me of that!" Watari complained as leans back against the back of his chair and looks at me in the eye for the second time that night.
"After all of this……… Where would they leave us?" He asks quietly. I can sense that he's sad about this but……. So am I.
"I don't know." I whisper as I set down my gaze.
I don't know…….
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