Advocatus Diaboli
"And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell" ~ [New Testament] The Apocalypse of Saint John the Apostle (Douay-Rheims Bible)
A/N: ^-^ Thank you for the reviews. As usual, I respond to them at the end of the chapter. Things begin to get more serious, but always the occasional humor. Review again, lovely people and I'll worship you XD
Warnings: …T_T It's a religious fic, people. I'm writing it. That's a good enough warning.
~*~*~*~
"…And please gave thanks to…"
"…"
"…Um…Hisoka…"
Hisoka blinked breaking from his concentrated trance of thanks to the Lord. For a moment, he narrowed his eyes to scold whoever it was to interrupt him but then realized otherwise. Blushing furiously, he untwined his fingers from their place on the polished table and began fidgeting with them on his lap.
Licking his lips and casting his eyes downward to his hands Hisoka mumbled, "S-sorry."
Watari and Tsuzuki exchanged glances from their spots on the booth across from the kid. Their peculiar stares only furthered increased Hisoka's discomfort. Tsuzuki was the first to clear his throat and place the fork in his hand down.
"Hisoka?"
Reluctantly, Hisoka lifted his eyes to meet the sympathetic expression offered to him. "Hey," the man said with a wave of his hand, "it's okay, Hisoka. But, if you don't mind me asking. What were you doing?"
"Uh…I was giving thanks for the food that stands before me," Hisoka whispered with a still insecure tone, gazing towards his burger and fries. "I…I…Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? I only did as my father had always taught…Did I do something wrong?"
Watari shook his hands negatively. "No!" he cried, perfectly understanding the situation. "No, no! It's just um…You can, if you want. We can wait." He harshly elbowed Tsuzuki when the man tried to protest due to his starvation.
"You mean, you don't give thanks for the food you receive?" Hisoka asked now curious as to what religion the men belonged to.
Tsuzuki pouted when Watari threatened to smack him if he spoke. "Well," the man with glasses began with a grin, "not really."
"May I ask what religion you belong to?"
A mouth opened to speak but was shut, as if unsure to respond. Watari gave a sigh and he scratched his head in thought as to how to explain this. "Kid…we don't belong to a religion."
Hisoka's eyes widened. "…But…Won't…Won't you be condemned to the pits of Hell?"
Tsuzuki burst out into a hearty laugh. Sensing Hisoka's discomfort and humiliation Watari smacked his friend over the head.
"Er…Kid…It all depends on the person's view. We don't really think after death you go straight to Hell or Heaven…or…what's that thing? Burgitary?"
"Purgatory," Hisoka corrected wishing he could feel pride with his knowledge of Catholicism.
Watari blinked. "Uh…sure. Yeah. Some people believe of life after life. You know, having a past life and continuing the cycle. There are also the occasional Jews too! You got all sorts of religions!"
"You know," Tsuzuki said with a grin, avoiding Watari's warning glare. "It's all a paradox if you think about it."
Hisoka cocked his head and leaned a bit forward with interest. "A paradox? What?"
"Well, think of the possibility. Your religion says you are either sentenced to Hell or Heaven for an eternity from what I gather, correct?" Upon receiving a nod, he continued, "well, what of the other religions? Are they sent to Hell because they don't believe exactly in God's word from the Catholic bible? Or because the Jews don't believe in Jesus Christ? Come on! What's up with that? None of it makes sense! What about homosexuals? Eh?"
Hisoka cringed at the name, remembering all too clearly of an incident in his past that caused a merciless punishment for weeks to be inflicted upon him. "They…They are also sent to Hell…"
Tsuzuki raised an eyebrow but nodded in agreement. "So I've heard. Why?"
"B…Because…"
"Tsuzuki! You're making him uncomfortable! Like he's some freak!" Watari admonished with another smack to Tsuzuki's head.
Hisoka bit his lip and began to fiddle around with the hems of his pants. "No…" he whispered hesitantly, "it's okay. I…I agree. I…um…"
"No, it's okay, Kid. You don't have to tell us anything you don't want to," Watari assured cheerfully.
Tsuzuki rubbed the portion of his head that had endured the painful smacks. "Yeah, sorry, Hisoka. I didn't mean it. I was just pointing out that it's a paradox. Sorry…"
Hisoka shook his head and raised his hands. With two pairs of eyes watching his movements, he reached for a fry.
Watari gave a smile and reached for his own food. "Don't you want to give thanks?"
Nibbling on the piece of food, Hisoka savored the taste. His eyes lit up at the salty taste that filled his mouth and pleased his tongue. He quickly finished that piece before looking back at the two men. "…No, I'm fine. I…I sort of like just eating without bothering to pray."
"Look at that, Watari! We're already rubbing off on him!" Tsuzuki proclaimed with a grin and smacked his friend's back, causing the man to lurch forward with a groan.
"Idiot," commented Hisoka investigating as to how to take a whole bite of the large burger into his mouth without all of its contents slipping out.
Watari laughed while Tsuzuki grumbled and ordered for an alcoholic beverage for himself. Something told him, he might need it.
~*~*~*~
"That's a high school down there. Can you see the building?"
Hisoka squinted his eyes trying to scan past a few packs of high trees. "A bit," he said. His heart ached knowing he could never enjoy the life of a regular school. He was condemned to the one his father ran. Was there such a thing as Hell on Earth?
Watari grinned and checked the time on his wrist. "So much for that break through of an invention…"
"You're…an inventor?" Hisoka inquired with a slight raise of his brow.
The comment instantly widened Watari's grin. "Yup! I am!"
"Don't encourage him," Tsuzuki cautioned from beside his insane friend. He too was smiling at the situation.
Hisoka stared at the two, thinking their behavior was of a strong friendship. He realized he himself had no friends. Of course, he spoke to one or two students from his school but they didn't actually have a bond with him, unlike the two men before him. At this thought, he tore his eyes from them and glared at the stone ground beneath him, hoping to burn a hole through it.
A gentle touch on his shoulder caused a yelp to emerge from him. A clean wound still rested there. Out of reflex, he spun and slapped the hand that tapped him.
Tsuzuki gave a hiss and retrieved his now injured hand. "Sheesh! Kid, you hit hard!"
"Don't call me a kid!"
"Alright, alright, don't kill me. Relax," Tsuzuki demanded softly, raising his hands in defeat.
Hisoka, too occupied on rubbing his wound gently, ignored him and hissed when the injury began throbbing.
Watari narrowed his eyes, studying the twitching movements of the boy. It took him only a second to notice the signs of an injury were present. Habitually, he rushed over and gently slapped the smaller hands away.
"Hey!" Hisoka protested, giving yet another yelp when the man tried to peel back his shirt and vest to expose his shoulder.
"Shhh. Relax, kid. I know what I'm doing. Hey! Ow!"
"Hisoka!" Tsuzuki cried in shock.
Watari cringed and held tightly to his nose, letting out a funny sounding moan. "My nose! Argh! Is it bleeding?" he asked in a panicked tone, shifting his hands away so that Tsuzuki had a better view of his nose.
"Mm. No, it's okay," he reassured with a smile. "Good thing too. You'd look funny with a bandage on it."
Hisoka's face had become a light pink shade when they turned to stare at him. "S…sorry," he admitted. "I…You startled me was all."
Watari shook his head, silencing any further apology or explanation. "Nah, I shouldn't have done that without your permission. It's a habit, you know?"
"Yeah…"
"…"
"…"
Tsuzuki cast his eyes to the side with the uncomfortable silence growing ever so strongly. "Er…" he stammered trying to think of an offer. "You…want to come to my place?"
He stepped back a pace when cold eyes glared into him. Shrugging helplessly, Tsuzuki nervously laughed.
"No," Hisoka stated coldly. "…I'll be needing to get back home soon."
"Speaking of which," Watari interjected, setting himself down on a cool colored bench occupied by no other being, "what's it like to live in that huge place?"
Perhaps it was the comment or the tone of the voice used. Either way, Hisoka's jaw tightened almost painfully at the mention of his home. Well, if he was ever going to talk about his thoughts on it, might as well be with a stranger than anyone else.
Releasing a breath, he growled, "I hate it." He was surprised as to the weight that seemed to rest upon his mind. Never knowing what it was like to express your thoughts, Hisoka was almost content at the sensation it left him with.
"…Why?"
People only abuse you, a voice cried in the back of his head. Technically, it was of a particular boy that actually was his only friend before….
Don't trust anyone.
"I don't want to talk about it," he hissed. What could a couple of strangers care or do?
Tsuzuki smiled sweetly and ruffled Hisoka's hair. "Aww, come on. It can't be that bad!"
"Don't touch me!"
The man chuckled. "You're kind of cute when upset…."
Hisoka's eyes widened. Cute? Cute?!
"Hey, Hisoka, you okay?" Tsuzuki hesitated to poke the kid, but didn't, fearing for his skin being bruised.
"…"
"…?"
"…Are you gay?" Hisoka suddenly asked with no hint of disgust but pure curiosity.
Tsuzuki barely managed to prevent himself from falling over. "What?!" he finally gasped eyes darting to Watari.
Watari was of no much help since he was currently occupied by controlling his breathing. The man was laughing at Tsuzuki with no intention to cease any moment soon either.
Hisoka cocked his head and raised an eyebrow, asking, "What? I'm just curious. I think you like me is all."
"N-no! I mean, I like you, but…uh…"
"…You're gay."
"I am not!"
"You don't deny it."
"That's not the point!"
"You're not sexually attracted to women."
"Hey! Now, cut it out!"
"You prefer to engage in sexual intercourse with a man."
"Stop that! It's making me nervous!"
"According to Tatsumi, that's just your hormones."
"Watari! Aren't you going to help?!"
"What? Isn't it true?"
"Hisokaaa~!"
~*~*~*~
Tatsumi grumbled under his breath and rubbed his temple harshly, attempting to cease the coming headache. Grumpily, he let out a frustrated sigh and scanned the area…again.
He had found Lucifer already left back at the estate but still no sign to where his young half brother was wondering off. It had been quite a long while playing this game of 'hide and go seek'.
"Argh, Brother, you will regret doing this! Father is not only going to punish you but punish me for being such a fool, though I do deserve it. I was a fool to let you out of my sight so quickly and believing your little lies," Tatsumi muttered in a soft growl beginning his quick strides across the streets.
He has thought to stop and approach someone about a young man strolling about, when he realized how awkward he would be trying to describe Hisoka's garment. Besides, Tatsumi really did not want to attract attention to himself nor Hisoka. Nagare was God and God had his angels to bring back word that his youngest son was disobeying his commandments.
"Oh Lord, I beg of you, please do not let Nagare receive word of anything!"
Someone may notice him too he came to notice. He often came to the town to shop for the weekly necessities although they had servants to perform that task. He basically just preferred any excuse to go out. Although he had a few papers to correct and preparations for next week's lesson plans, his number one priority was to find Hisoka before someone noticed their absences.
He heard laughter on his left and at first, ignored it. He continued walking although a slight tingle in the back of his mind begged him to stop.
"I'm just saying my opinion, idiot."
Tatsumi blinked and paused in his walking. The voice sounded familiar…too familiar. He groaned involuntarily and rubbed the bridge of his nose after removing his specs. He knew that insulting tone anywhere. A bit in an impatient rage, he jogged over to where the voice had emerged, placing back his glasses.
And as usual, Tatsumi's prediction was correct. There standing in front of a couple of unknown people to Tatsumi, was Hisoka, looking a bit irritated and flushed. Well, one of them was sitting, doubled over laughing, but stood up a few seconds later.
Tatsumi's eyes narrowed slightly from behind the tree he stood to conceal himself. His interest was caught though quickly on the man with blond like long hair tied back with a ribbon (the one he saw laughing). He blinked, curious as to why it caught his interest, and quickly pushed the thought aside and studied the other man.
He was handsome, he had to admit. He could only see the profile of the young man but was certain that he noticed amethyst eyes. Interesting…
The man made what Tatsumi thought was a startled sound when Hisoka whispered something Tatsumi could not make out distinctly. Well, the sooner the better. Might as well bring him home before Nagare realizes we're gone, he thought after a moment of hesitation.
"So this is where you've been, Brother," he stated in a strict and tense voice, approaching the trio.
As expected, their heads snapped up at the voice, Hisoka's eyes widening in the process of doing so. The two men stared blankly at Tatsumi and Hisoka took the opportunity to spin on his heals and leap for an escape.
Instantly and from much experience, Tatsumi tore past the two now flabbergasted men and snaked his arm around his brother's body, pinning the arms to the side and lifting up the small body into the air.
Hisoka grunted angrily and let out a frustrated growl when Tatsumi's grip tightened. Like a desperate child, he flailed his legs madly hoping to aim a kick to Tatsumi's shin, only furthering pushing Tatsumi's patience.
"Let me go!"
"Hey!" the man with strange eyes barked at Tatsumi. "What are you doing? Put him down!"
Tatsumi watched them closely for any threatening movements but noticed none. Although his awkward position and strain in his voice from keeping such a pose, he asked, "Who are you two?"
The blonde man, who Tatsumi now noticed, wore glasses and possessed bright eyes, stood forward a bit. "We're his friends!" he insisted.
"…Friends?" Tatsumi asked in a gasp. Hisoka nearly broke loose that time.
"Yes. We're his friends," the other man agreed with a nod. "And who are you?"
Tatsumi groaned when Hisoka aimed a perfect kick to his shin after many attempts. Forced to do so, he put Hisoka down but held onto his wrists roughly to prevent the boy from escaping.
Finally, he managed to speak. "I'm his brother."
"Half-brother, moron! Let me go!" Hisoka snarled, attempting to bite Tatsumi.
Tatsumi jerked his grip and avoided the savage attack. "Stop resisting, Brother. You knew I'd find you eventually."
"Yeah. And take me to Father, right?"
Hisoka ceased his struggles and stared pleadingly at Tatsumi's eyes. He watched Tatsumi's eye twitch violently.
"Don't start that."
"Tatsumi…"
"No."
"But…"
"Brother, you're in enough trouble as it is. Nagare probably notices our absence by now and you…"
"Well, I'm tired of being in there! Don't I have the right to live?"
"Not according to Nagare."
"Tatsumi! Don't be cruel…"
"Brother…"
"Whoa, whoa!" cried the dark-haired man, shaking his hands in a gesture to make them stop. "What exactly is going on here?"
Tatsumi stared at him.
Tsuzuki stared back shyly, wondering whether he said something to anger the tall man.
Hisoka grumbled under his breath.
The blond man stared at Tatsumi's clothing, avoiding eye contact.
Tatsumi broke his gaze to cast it down to his wristwatch. He mused to himself for a moment before turning his eyes down to Hisoka. "We were at the gardens, studying for your test then went to do chores. Understood?"
Hisoka's eyes sparkled and he smirked. "…Thank you."
Tatsumi removed his fingers from the thin wrists and gently placed a hand on Hisoka's upper back, ushering him back toward their home. He nodded to the two men in a silent apology and strode past them.
"Hey…" the dark-haired man pouted. "I don't get what's going on but…Do…you think we'll get to see you again, Hisoka?"
Hisoka cast a glance over his shoulder to Watari and Tsuzuki, almost appearing upset of his taking leave. Perhaps it was a sympathetic look…
Hisoka shrugged and continued walking along side Tatsumi. "They can't have a guard on me 24/7, now can't they?"
Watari grinned and shared a cheerful glance with Tsuzuki.
Tatsumi shoved Hisoka slightly forward, in a silent admonishing act. Hisoka didn't appear to notice or care.
Silently, they crossed across the town and were nearly approaching the back entrance to the home. Hopefully, Nagare was too occupied praying rather than planning a punishment for either of the brothers.
Hisoka sighed and actually hoped to see the two men again. Surprisingly, they didn't seem to hate him or dislike him in any way. Tsuzuki was unusually friendly toward him and never had a cruel tone in his voice. Perhaps he was just a mindless idiot. Then again, he could be the mindless idiot who would show what it's like to have a friend. Or...maybe…
Tatsumi's voice quickly tore through his mind, tossing any previous thoughts into oblivion. "Now, Brother, you go to your room, understand? Stay there until I enter it. I'm going to search for Nagare."
Hisoka nodded in understanding as Tatsumi reached to open the two large doors before them. Instead, it began to open on its own, causing both Tatsumi and Hisoka to stumble back in surprise.
"Oh no…" Hisoka hissed through his teeth as his face paled.
Nagare's fearful cold eyes were set on him, and they were none too happy. "Well, I'm hoping you enjoyed yourself immensely, my son, since the next hour won't be as pleasant."
~*~*~*~
^.^ Whoo, yeah. Finally got this done. Sorry for the delay but laptop troubles arose again. So sorry!
Anyway…responding to my beautiful reviewers!
BIG NOTE: I think I'm missing two people to respond to reviews, but I cannot see the review on ff.net ^_^;; I'll have to respond twice to you on the next chapter. So sorry to those people ;__; *hugs*
empath-no-tenshi: Yeshum! I posted it! ^__^ Thanks for the comment, neko of mine 3 I hoped to post this soon but…alas, I didn't. ;__; So sorry! *plushies?*
Nel: ^.^ Why thanks! I home it turns out awesome. XD Of course I'll continue! *hugs* Thanks for the review. Glad you liked it. ^^
Wolfpilot06: Wai! Daughter! *glomp* Yes, I noticed the grammar errors too T_T *sigh* Hopefully, there weren't that much this time ^-^; The review was wonderful. Nice feedback like that is always great. w00t. I like my Tsuzuki too though it's a bit hard to keep in character, like I want to ; Thanks again. I have the strangest idea sometimes XD *huggies*
PoPo: Thanks for telling me about the errors. Always helps the writer. ^__^ *hugs* So happy you took the time to review my…strange story ^^; Thanks so much! Means a lot to me, really! X3
SoreWaHimitsuDesu: Glad you like it! ^__^ Thanks for reviewing and hope you keep doing so 3 Plenty of more action to come!
Vulpick: Yup! Kurosaki Tatsumi…9_9 Sounds awkward a bit, I think, but oh well! Yeah, the poor dear is good at gambling. I had to give him SOMETHING, you know. XDXD ^_^ Thanks for the review tons! *hugs*
Sissy & Kody (and gang): Ah, hey you guys! ^_^ Tatsumi did appear! You just knew he had to ruin Hisoka's…er…fun? O_o ^_^ Happy you guys liked it! I love your reviews! Always make me laugh! Now I'm hungry ~_~…pizza anyone? XD
Hard_Cover: Aww, thanks. ^_^ You give such nice reviews. I'll give you more! X3 You wish you can write like me? Well, we all have our own style and that's what makes it unique! ^___^ Thanks for the review!!
Maru de Kuasanagi: I'm so pleased you reviewed and liked the chapter!! ^_^ Of course I'll write more! Do polite with the "please". ^__^ Thanks for the review.
yukie-chan: I'm sooooo sorry! ;__; I've been having so many problems with ff.net and my laptop. But I got it up at least!! ^_^; Oh Death of Light x__x Ugh. Yes, I'm working on it. I found the lost files. ^-^;; So sorry to make you wait like this! ;___; Thanks for the review though! ^.^