Chapter 13

Tatsumi's POV

I have a building headache. And that's not because I have so many things to do. Quite the opposite really. I've nothing to do but wait. Tsuzuki-san has already taken the initiative to solve the case and I have no means to go along with him.

I'm here at our rented apartment, shuffling papers endlessly doing absolutely nothing useful. I've already memorized each and every page and I've already calculated the next month and the next and the next one's budget. What a big bore.

I reach for the mug before me and swiveled the spoon over the now cold coffee. I stare into space continuing the motion I started with the spoon and thought of some things, like……. Tsuzuki-san and Kurosaki-kun.

Yes, you guessed it. I'm a martyr. I've loved Tsuzuki-san for so many years and yet I didn't bother to tell him what I felt. And when he fell for Kurosaki-kun, I just stepped aside and tried to be happy for him.

I guess I did become bold once. Remember that I finally told him what I felt when he and Kurosaki-kun where in cahoots. For my part, I think it took a lot of my guts to let out that steamy secret I've had for years. Even though telling it out loud didn't do me any good. Didn't bring me Tsuzuki or whatever. But that's plenty enough for me. Actually…… I've gotten over Tsuzuki-san after I told him that. Finally accepted the fact that we'll never be.

Watari's vision suddenly appeared in front of me. He's red faced and looks like he's out of breath. I chuckled to myself. Just like the image he was when he found out that Tsuzuki-san had hurt the blond haired shinigami silly by fooling around with me. Although his conclusion hit the target 98% of the time, he couldn't have been more wrong with that last one. I shook my head in the wonder of one being love blind.

I wonder how he's holding up?  I thought to myself fondly as I continued to stare at Watari's image in front of my hazy eyes. After I told him that our violet eyed resident didn't really hurt Kurosaki-kun intentionally, Watari suddemly felt tired and depressed. I could just imagine his guilty conscience screaming bloody murder at him. After all, he and Tsuzuki-san were the best of friends and he had hurt him badly.

And did you know that Watari-san is also the martyr that I am? Yes, indeed. For sure, he'll give up his useless fight to win the affection of the now melting ice prince.  Besides, that's what he's been doing all these years anyway. He just had the perfect timing to come in when everything between the two was heavy and impossible.

I stood up and turned to the kitchen. I needed another coffee refill since I don't really have anything to do. Making coffee and stirring it up makes a little work. And I need work. All the time. I reach for a navy blue mug at the cupboard and was looking for a clean spoon somewhere in the drawers when someone spoke irritably.

"Oi, Tatsumi! How long are you going to ignore me?" The mug I was holding fell to the floor into many tiny shards. I turned around to look at the still depressed face of Watari.

"I thought you wouldn't get out of your reverie." Watari commented as he took a seat tiredly.

"I thought you were just an illusion……" I mumble to myself stupidly. Of course he was there!!! He couldn't just pop out of your imagination and be in the same place with you puffing his lungs now, right? I mentally slapped my forehead. See what boredom does to a person? I shook my head.

"What? You were saying something Tatsumi-san?" Watari asked as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Nothing." He shrugged his shoulders, letting me know that he's getting me off the hook easily. Oh you know, the way I spaced out? It never happens. Well okay, it does happen but rarely. Got that? So I continued, as if nothing happened.

"Why are you here? You couldn't be possibly here just to visit me." I asked him getting down right to business.

"Where is Tsuzuki?" He asked urgently.

"Why?" I asked getting confused. Is he that bothered by his conscience to come all the way here just to apologize? Well, I'm not sure that that's the thing he's doing but..... why would he look for Tsuzuki? Idle chat?

"It's Bon." He said, his eyes at the point of near grief.

"What happened to Kurosaki-kun?" I was suddenly worried about that boy's welfare. Watari's tone is way serious and he looks like he's on the verge of crying.

"I have reason to believe that Muraki might have him."

"What?!" I exclaimed aloud. Now that is the most worst case scenario!

"I just found out that the boy we are guarding, the one we think that might be the next target is the one who brought our lost boys to a silver haired doctor."

"Muraki." I whispered to myself.

"Silver hair isn't common. And there ain't a lot of good doctors who are young……" Watari added as if to confirm the idea more.

"Are you sure that information isn't just gossip?"

"Positive. Besides, I've talked to Rei's teammates, the boy who we thought……"

"…was the next victim….. I got it…." I finish for him, and he nodded fervently.

"Said that he got Bon and that he brought him to his beach house, which is apparently the murder scene." Watari finished breathlessly.

"Do you know where it is located?" I ask him. Maybe we could get to Bon.... I mean Kurosaki-kun, on time. Maybe that Rei boy hadn't given him to Muraki yet. I hope.

"Well…….  Do you know what our case is?"

"Well…. Yes." I asked dumb-foundedly. What was Watari thinking giving me the quiz on cases? His current partner is in big trouble!!!

"And what is it?" Watari asked me. I roll my eyes. Seems like he's trying to test me or something. But let me tell you this: I know each and every case, every shinigami works on and I got a superb memory. This is a piece of cake.

"You're working on a case where there are four boys to date murdered. They are found hung on the same Sakura tree at the school's backyard. All of them are partially nude and that the cause of death is drowning." I finished with a flourish. Told you I know what it is. I wonder what Watari is getting at?

"And?" Watari prompted.

"And what?"

"The souls…… Where are the souls?"

"The souls are……." I stopped. The dead boys' souls haven't returned to Meifu yet. And if they haven't……. they are sure to be found at the place of their death.

"They haven't returned to Meifu yet, right? And they are supposed to hover around the place where they are killed. And they aren't. And what is your case?" Watari asked me pointedly.

"Lost souls looking for their body………" Watari nodded.

"You don't mean….?" I asked him questioningly. He nodded gravely.

"Our cases are connected with each other. Those lost souls are our boys."

"But are you sure that it's one and the same case.....?" I asked, just making sure. Watari sighed deeply.

"Think about this. The guys hung on the Sakura tree didn't die from choking right? They died because of drowning. And the place where you find those lost souls are in a beach. A beach is a good place to drown people right?" He asked me pointedly. Damn. Of course he's right. I groaned to myself.

"So do you think Tsuzuki had gotten the right info?" Watari asked me.

"I don't know…… but I do know where the place is….."

"The murder scene?" He asked me and I nodded.

"Well, it's where we found the boys' souls. If it isn't exactly the place then it might be near it." I amended. I don't want to raise his hopes high. We might not find anything. And that would be a major let down on Watari.

"Let's give it a shot. We have to save Bon." Watari said more to himself than to me as he stood up and prepared to leave.

As I summoned my shadows to transport us, a thought came to me. A bad one at that. What if Tsuzuki too was fooled just like Kurosaki-kun? What if he is trapped into this finely made web of lies? Could it possibly that he too is targeted? I shook my head as the shadows envelop us wholly.

Nah. It couldn't be. Besides..... We really aren't sure if our cases are connected. We are just giving it a shot. Right?

Right.

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Tsuzuki's POV

I lunged at Mogley blindly. I was so damn angry at his comment, at his actions..... At him over all. How dare he touch and hurt Hisoka-chan? How dare he?!

My fisted hands had barely grazed his chest when he moved aside to dodge it. I stumble a little at the sudden non-contact then regaining balance, lunged at him again.

The same pattern continued. Lunge, graze, stumble. Lunge, graze, stumble. I hadnt even landed one blow on him. Getting frustrated and irritated at his conceited smirk, i flung an ofuda of barrier at him. Thinking that I'll have him in a little confined place lest the better chance of hitting him.

But something strange happened. As the barrier crackled to life, it suddenly faltered. Crackled blue then pink then it was gone.

"What the fuck.......?" I ask aloud, unbelief all over my face. Wrong move. Mogley's smirk just widened and I downright loathed it.

"What's the matter? Surprised your little trick didnt working on me?" He asked quietly, as he moved closer to the vicinity of Hisoka and the bed. Damn him. I could use bigger tricks if I so desire. Call out Suzaku or Byakko or whomever. But having him close to Hisoka makes my blood boil so much that thinking right isn't just possible. I shouted.

"Don't come near him." I say loud and clear. But damn fuck right he is! Why didn't the ofuda work on him? I realized more confused than ever. He's just an ordinary person. No magical prowess whatsoever. Why? Even if absolutely hate him to death, I still didn't want to have him killed. Just wanted to teach him a lesson or two about him messing with Hisoka-chan.

Then I realized his speed and agility at our fist fight. No way with his bulky build could he move that fast. No absolutely, fucking way.

It was kind of unnatural, his movements, if you ask me. He only pulls out at the last possible minute. Any ordinary brawling boy wouldn't do that conceited thing of pulling out at the last minute. He would just go ahead and move quickly out of the way. At the latest possible time.

And his hands. Why are they tucked cleanly at his pockets? What's up with that? Then I realize that that posture is familiar.

Muraki. I feel my blood run cold. It couldn't possibly be that he's controlling the boy..... It couldn't be. I deny the possibility strongly to myself. I held my head tightly, it was as if I was afraid it would crumble into pieces. Mogley laughed eerily, sending millions of tiny sharp shooting needles into my hazy consciousness.

"Feeling ill Mr. Tsuzuki?" Mogley asked as soon as his laughter faded into a mere chuckle of amusement. I didn't answer. If he's being controlled by Muraki..... then no fucking way am I going to hurt him. No fucking way that I'm going to land even just one blow on him. This is all Muraki's fault.

"Muraki! I know you're here. Show yourself!!!" I scream manically at the top of my lungs, losing interest in Mogley. Nobody answered just silence, except that of the sound of clicking footsteps.

"Show yourself, you damn fucking idiot!!!" I yell aloud again. So loud that my throat actually hurt. To my surprise, Mogley suddenly appeared in front of me. Inches from my face.

Then I realize that indeed he's being controlled. His eyes at the bar were a clear blue. I remember them clearly. I've talked to him for a long five minutes. Stared at him in the face. His eyes are now black. As sinister as the mysterious night.

"Mr. Tsuzuki. I distinctly remembered that we are fighting. Shall we continue?" He asked politely as he bowed over.

"No. You're not my opponent, I.... Umphf!" I roll at the ground clutching my stomach. The brat just hit me!!!

"Mogley, please..... It's not your fight...." I plead as I shakily stood up. He walked towards me slowly, ignoring my plead, then withdrawing his hands from his pockets, punched me again. Right across the eye. I bowled over in pain. Did I mention unnatural speed and agility? Well, he also had unnatural strength!!

I clutched my left eye, it feels so foggy now, the world. And why the heck does Mogley have three heads?! Foggy, foggy, foggy.

"Why don't you fight, Mr. Tsuzuki? Afraid that you'll kill little ole me?" Mogley asked, jeering me. I coughed up blood.

"Well, if you wont fight........" Mogley left the sentence hanging then looked at Hisoka meaningfully. I frantically shook my head.

"Oh no. Please no. Please no........" I pleaded as I tried to stand up on shaky legs. Mogley looked at me, feigned sadness in his eyes.

"I just wanted to play. if you couldn't play with me....... Then Hisoka might help me with my problem." He stalked towards Hisoka in a torturingly slow manner. Emphasizing each and every step by looking at the green eyed empath then back at the still struggling me.

"Wait.... Please don't hurt him. I'll do anything you want." I pleaded one more time getting desperate. I really cant choose between them. There's been a lot of people that have been killed because of me. Even if I didn't kill them personally...... their death or suffering is all my fault. Like Tsubaki-hime, Maria...... need I say more?

I don't want to burden myself more by killing Mogley myself. Add the fact that he's just being controlled by that bastard Muraki. But....... I don't want him to hurt Hisoka either. Even if he's only being controlled. I want to protect 'Soka-chan as much as I can.

But I've always failed him. In Nagasaki.... I didn't even realize that he's gone from my side. If only I was being attentive at that time, he could have never been kidnapped. Now, even if we aren't partners anymore..... This could have been avoided. Should have I checked on him every now and then. It's always my fault.

"Would you fight me then?" Mogley asked me stopping in mid-track.

"No." I said firmly.

"Well then......" Mogley continued the path but his pace is now fast. Getting panicked.....

"Okay, fine. I'll fight you." I said finally as I shut my eyes close.

"Good boy, Mr. Tsuzuki." Mogley said as I heard frantic footsteps coming towards me. I didn't move. Let him do whatever he wants with me. I'll never land a single blow on him. Never.

One, two, three..... Thirteen, fourteen. I counted mentally as I received various blows. Punch, kick, hack, head butt, name it, he has it.

"Why aren't you fighting back? This isn't fun at all!!!" Mogley hollered angrily as he continued to beat me to a pulp.

"I wont..... never....." Mogley suddenly stopped moving. I raised my head to look at him. He was composing himself by slicking his hair back and breathing deeply. Finished he turned to me.

"Hit me. Now." He ordered as he stood tall and replaced his hands on his pockets, Muraki-style.

"Never."

"Call out your shikigami then. Touda perhaps?" He grinned evilly.

"What?! Are you crazy?!" I asked him indignant.

"I said call him out."

"No."

"No?"

"Never."

"Then perhaps......." Mogley trailed, turned his back on me and stared at 'Soka-chan. For one second I thought he was out to get Hisoka again. But then in a flick of one moment he flung himself back to face me, then muttering a simple spell..... unleashed a fiery attack. A swirl of fiery red and orange phoenix lunged itself at me from the tip of his fingers.

I didn't have the chance to move. It hit me full in the chest. Everything is going black. But before I hit wonderland I heard Mogley finish his sentence.

"........ I should do what he can."

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"Ugghhh......." I groaned aloud, feeling so painful all over. What the hell happened to me? My head felt like it's splitting in two and my chest feels its weighed down with two tons of heavy material.

I tried to move my hand to wipe something gooey from my head. Then I realized I cant move it. What the fuck? I asked myself, getting panicked. I pried open my eyes to see what state I'm in. To my surprise I found out that I'm suspended in the air. I can see Hisoka in front of me, top view.

"Comfy Tsuzuki-san?" A sinister asked me.

"Muraki!!!" I said aloud. Can recognize his voice anywhere you know?

"My, my.... What's with all the shouting?"

"Fuck you, Muraki!" I spat at him.

"Hmmm..... You should watch your temper."

"Why should I?"

"You know you are in no condition to do so." He motioned at me high up the wall, feet and hands spread wide apart held by a woman's hair. I glared daggers at him but he merely chuckled.

"Hmmm…… What an interesting predicament I'm in." He suddenly said.

"What do you mean interesting?" I ask him angrily. What's interesting about controlling people and torturing them? Well….? What's so damn interesting?

"Hmmm…. I have you. I have the boy. Plus two other at my mercy." He said with a flourish as he motioned at me, at Hisoka and at Mogley and……. Pretty boy. Right. I just remembered that Muraki's a sadist and this is just the kind of thing that is so interesting. So happy to know about that. So happy.

But I realized that pretty boy was bleeding. Not so much blood was flowing but if he stays like that for hours then definitely at some point he'll lose enough blood.

"What'd you do to him?" I asked as I motioned at pretty boy.

"Oh him? Haven't I introduced you yet? He's Rei Akiko, owner of this house and the cause why your beloved is in my grasp."

"What do you mean?"

"He lead him to me."

"Then what the hell did you do that for?" I ask, eyeing the boy's injuries.

"Well, it's really none of your business…. But let just say that he's not been a very good boy. Not that I expected too much."

"What do you want?" I finally ask him.

"Until now….. you can never figure what I want." He sighed melodramatically.

"Just spit it out okay!" He grinned.

"You." I stare at him dumbfounded. Okay, it's not that I don't know about this crap…… but looking surprised seems to fit the moment.

"You really shouldn't be surprised, my beloved."

"Stop calling me that." But he just continued raving as if I never said a word.

"And as a symbol of my eternal…… should I say love….?" He muttered more to himself than to me.

"I'll give you a sacrifice." What the hell…?!!!

"What do you mean sacrifice?!" 

"Are you asking me? Aren't you wondering why I have the boy here with me?" He grinned knowingly. I tug at the hair manically.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on Hisoka." He chuckled but after doing so, looked at me with hard, loathing eyes.

"Really? Then stop me. If you can." He said as he laughed evilly. He turned his back on me and withdrew his hand from his pocket retrieved a long silver dagger with ruby stones at the handle.

Then right before my horror stricken eyes raised the dagger over Hisoka's chest and carved the old spell. Hisoka woke from the sudden pain.

"AHHHhhhh!!!!!!!!!" He yelped and screamed with agony. As Hisoka screamed louder and louder because of the pain the more Muraki deepened the gashes.

"Stoooopppp!!!!" I yelled, pleaded with Muraki. He stopped, looked at me, smiled then continued carving again.

"Oh please, oh please…… stop it." I sobbed to myself, tears streaming down my cheeks in crystalline river. I try to close my eyes, not wanting to see more. But Hisoka's screams filled my very consciousness. Not seeing it, is really not helping. At all.

"Hisoka!!!!!!!!"

t.b.c

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A/N:

Akasha_death – hehehe….. I knew something was up when they said in the series that Hisoka was tied down with a woman's hair!!! Sorry for the slip up!! But glad you still liked it! J

Empath-no-tenshi – yup, you're right about that one!! Where's the fun if there's no torture right?! Hehehe…. And for that, I love Muraki! *grins evilly*

Tricycle – thanks so much for the comment!! And I'm glad you liked it!

Vulpick – ya, I know. I've been running in circles in the last few chaps…. You know establishing plot and all that stuff…… but there's more action here and on the next chap! (right?!) *thinks deeply*

Yukie-chan – I'll squeeze in more Hisoka torture next chap….. and I'm so glad you finally updated yakuza mayhem!!

Reiko Taski – *bows head down* thanks so much for the compli!

Aspara – don't worry, it's cool. Hey, I was just wondering…… are you still going to update lust? I really like that fic of yours……. *looks at Aspara hopefully*

Wildwolf – sorry to keep you hanging!! Hope you enjoy the continuation…..

Darke angel – oh….. of course they will…. *clasps hands furiously* and thanks!!!

Yamatoforever – yup….. I think it's going to be a sad one….. if I don't change my mind that is!!

xXLil Yu JahXx - apology accepted. Although there is really nothing to be sorry about…. Having you review something and letting me know you read it, is plenty enough for me!

sissy and kody – wooow…… you two are hyper!!!!!! *joining sissy and kody too in being hyper*